Research Opportunities

We are looking for curious and motivated undergraduate and graduate students to get involved in research. We have numerous ongoing projects that fit students with interests in many different fields, including astronomy, planetary science, physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, computer science, and more. History has repeatedly shown that diverse teams are more creative and effective. We therefore are actively looking for students of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, educational backgrounds, and disability statuses. If you have any questions or are interested in working with us, please reach out!

Possible topics include but are not limited to:

• Laboratory experiments and modeling of cryominerals relevant to Titan

• Optical constants of low temperature outer solar system materials

• Thermodynamics of low temperature volatile ices and liquids

• Behavior of volatiles on outer solar system bodies such as the satellites of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune; dwarf planets; asteroids; comets; Centaurs; and Kuiper Belt objects 

Graduate Programs at NAU

PhD in Astronomy and Planetary Science

PhD in Applied Physics and Materials Science

MS in Chemistry

NAU Dept. of Astronomy and Planetary Science PhD Rotation Project

A component of the NAU Astronomy and Planetary Science PhD program is completing a research rotation project in the 2nd year. Consider completing your rotation project with us! Contact Will Grundy, Jennifer Hanley, and/or Steve Tegler to inquire about experimental work and Gerrick Lindberg for computational work.

Exterior Funding Opportunities

Students may also apply for exterior funding as a means of working in the lab. The Astronomy and Planetary Science department offers a proposal writing course every fall, which has helped a number of graduate students secure fellowships!

Most popular fellowships:

• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

  • Note: Graduate students can only apply for this fellowship one time in either their first or second year. If you have already completed a masters degree, you are not eligible. Undergraduates can apply an unlimited number of times.

• Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST) Fellowship

Other options:

• Ford Foundation Fellowships

• The Hertz Foundation

• Amelia Earhart Scholarship

• AWIS Distinguished Doctoral Research Scholarship

NAU Undergraduates

We're always looking for undergraduates! There are opportunities to participate in both the school year and the summer. Past students have contributed to all areas of our collaboration and earned various grants and fellowships to support their work. Consider applying for the NAU NASA Space Grant program with one of our senior researchers!

Undergraduates at Other Institutions

Most summers the Astrophysical Materials Lab hosts a student through that National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates program via the NAU Astronomy & Planetary Science Department. This program covers housing, travel, and provides a stipend. Please consider applying!