Simulating Seismic Scattering on Titan - Intern
Are you interested in contributing to efforts that help us learn about the planets and moons in our solar system, even if you’ve never worked on space systems before?
The Dragonfly mission team is seeking a Student Guest Investigator to simulate seismic scattering processes within Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, using computer-based modeling and supercomputing tools.
We’re seeking Master’s and PhD students in physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, computer science, or engineering who are strong analytical thinkers and eager to apply quantitative skills to complex planetary science challenges. This is a two-year hybrid commitment and you must remain actively enrolled for the full two-year duration of the project. Some work may be performed remotely during the academic year; however, summer work is conducted in person.
This is your opportunity to contribute to a mission to Titan while helping scientists better understand the structure and seismic activity of another world.
Project Overview
Like Earth, Titan is expected to experience seismic activity. These seismic waves travel through the moon’s icy shell and contain valuable information about its interior structure. Dragonfly will carry a seismometer capable of detecting this activity. However, Titan’s icy crust is expected to strongly scatter seismic waves, making interpretation more challenging. This project focuses on using existing high-fidelity computer models to simulate how seismic waves scatter within Titan’s ice shell. Because Titan’s internal structure is not well constrained, you will evaluate multiple interior models and compare results to seismic data and simulations from Mars, the Moon, and Earth.
As a Student Guest Investigator, You Will:
- Utilize modeling software developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- Incorporate seismic scattering processes into Titan interior models
- Run simulations on high-performance computing systems
- Evaluate how structural variations affect seismic wave propagation
- Compare Titan simulations to Mars, Moon, and Earth models
- Analyze and visualize simulation results
- Document findings and technical progress for mentor review
Location: NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Key Dates
Application Deadline: May 29, 2026
Selections Announced: September 30, 2026
You Must Meet All of the Following Minimum Qualifications:
- U.S. Citizenship (required for access to facilities and networks)
- Currently pursuing a Master’s or PhD in physical sciences, computer science, mathematics, or engineering at a U.S. institution and must remain actively enrolled for the full two-year duration of the project
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Completion of coursework in multivariable calculus (Calculus III / vector calculus)
- Completion of introductory coursework in mechanics, waves, or electromagnetism
- Some experience with coding (any programming language)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work both independently and within a technical team
Above and Beyond the Minimum Requirements:
- Experience with data visualization and graph plotting
- Familiarity with basic statistical analysis
- Experience working with computational modeling or simulation tools
Application Requirements
Submit the following materials:
- 1–2 page cover letter (per project applied to)
- Most recent transcripts (unofficial is fine)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV), including hardware and software project experience
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Faculty Mentor Requirement
- Applicants must provide a name and contact information for their faculty advisor at their home institution along with a 2–3 sentence statement from that faculty advisor confirming that if the student is selected:
- They will provide a workspace, internet access, facilities, etc. at their home institution so that the student can work on their Dragonfly project and communicate with the Dragonfly team during their 2-year tenure as a Guest Investigator
- They will remotely attend the Fall 2026 Guest Investigator Kickoff Meeting (mid–late October)
- They understand that this is a part-time, supplemental research project that does not replace their student’s M.S. or PhD research
- Applicants must provide a name and contact information for their faculty advisor at their home institution along with a 2–3 sentence statement from that faculty advisor confirming that if the student is selected: