The Planetary Surface Technology Development Lab (PSTDL) or Huskyworks for short, needs nine talented students to help develop our technology for Lunar and Martian In-situ Resource Utilization. Details are below.
Who We Are
The PSTDL is a research lab based out of Michigan Tech that was founded by Dr. Paul van Susante in 2019. We build cutting-edge solutions for planetary In-Situ Resource Utilization of the Moon, Mars, and beyond while supporting NASA’s Artemis missions with our state-of-the-art environmental testing facilities and engineering services. R&D is funded by grants from NASA and contracts from industry partners, grossing over 3 million dollars of funding in the last 2.5 years – our lab is growing fast. We need more talented student engineers and scientists to help us put our technology on the Moon.
[Website Link] [Linkedin Link][Lab News Link][Lab Vid Link]
General Information/Qualifications
- Must be a US Person (Green Card holder or US Citizen).
- Must be enrolled at Michigan Tech as grad or undergrad during contract period.
- Hourly pay rates: $15/hr undergrad, $17/hr grad.
- 10 hours/ week during the spring and fall semesters, up to 40 hrs/week in summer.
- Contract renewal on a semesterly-basis.
- Looking for people who are motivated to learn (and can prove it).
- Must be able to work as part of a team and independently.
Summary of Available Positions. A summary of our current openings can be seen below. Detailed information on each position can be seen on our application page. Note that some positions need personnel now, while others don’t start until the summer.
How to Apply:
- A) Start by applying online using your MTU email by [Application Form Link].
- B) We will then go through 2 rounds of down-selection by reviewing your submitted material. If selected we will proceed with conducting an in-person interview between yourself and the lab staff.
- C) We aim to fill all hiring positions by March 20th, 2022, at the latest.
- D) Apply ASAP to secure limited interview time with the team.
| Program/Job Name | Start semester, hours per week | Short Description |
| LuSTR 2020: R&D Test Engineer |
SP22, 10 hrs/wk SU22, up-to 40 hrs/wk |
Develop cone penetrometer science instrument that survey the lunar surface for resources and determine their properties in-situ. Funded by NASA |
| LuSTR 2020: Mechanical Engineer |
SP22, 10 hrs/wk SU22, up-to 40 hrs/wk |
Develop the field rover, a large-semiautonomous mobility platform used to test science instruments developed for the LuSTR 2020 missions and other programs. Secondary role of supporting other development efforts. Funded by NASA. |
| LuSTR 2020: Electrical Engineer |
SP22, 10 hrs/wk SU22, up-to 40 hrs/wk |
Develop the field rover, a large-semiautonomous mobility platform used to test science instruments developed for the LuSTR 2020 missions and other programs. Secondary role of supporting other development efforts. Funded by NASA. |
| LuSTR 2020: Software Engineer |
SU22, up-to 40 hrs/wk, FA22 up-to 20 hrs/wk |
Design and implement software for use with robotics systems at the PSTDL as well as internal tools. |
| LuSTR 2021: R&D Mechanical Engineer (Ph.D. or Masters only)** |
SU22, up-to 40 hrs/wk (2 years) |
Develop an attachment for a moon rover to be built by Lunar Outpost that will compact layers of lunar regolith using vibratory needles. Funded by NASA |
| LuSTR 2021: R&D Mechanical Engineer |
SU22, up-to 40 hrs/wk (2 years) |
Develop an attachment for a moon rover to be built by Lunar Outpost that will compact layers of lunar regolith using vibratory needles. Funded by NASA |
| CLASS: Research Engineer |
SP22, 10 hrs/wk, SU22, up-to 20 hrs/wk |
Study the interaction between lunar regolith and mechanisms including excavation forces, wear, wheel sinkage, and traction. Funded by NASA. |
| CLASS: Research Engineer |
SP22, 10 hrs/wk, SU22, up-to 20 hrs/wk |
Study the interaction between lunar regolith and mechanisms including excavation forces, wear, wheel sinkage, and traction. Funded by NASA. |
| MRE: R&D Mechanical Engineer |
SP22, 10 hrs/wk SU22, up-to 40 hrs/wk |
Develop a transport and delivery mechanism for a molten lunar regolith electrolysis reactor. Funded by NASA. |
| Red Water: R&D Test Engineer |
SP22, 10 hrs/wk SU22, up-to 40 hrs/wk |
Develop and test probes for melting glacier ice on Mars. Funded by Honeybee Robotics. |
| Red Water: R&D Test Engineer |
SP22, 10 hrs/wk SU22, up-to 40 hrs/wk |
Develop and test probes for melting glacier ice on Mars. Funded by Honeybee Robotics. |
**This position provides 2 years of full tuition and stipend support for in-person Thesis Masters or Ph.D. students. Students are expected to work half-time in the spring/fall and full-time in the summers