Planetary Instrument Concepts for the Advancement of Solar System Observations (PICASSO)

Organization
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Reference Code
0037-NPP-MAR26-ABProg-Astrobio
How to Apply

All applications must be submitted in Zintellect

Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org)

A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes:

  1. Research proposal
  2. Three letters of recommendation
  3. Official doctoral transcript documents
Application Deadline
4/2/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

About the NASA Postdoctoral Program

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented U.S. and non-U.S. scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA-affiliated research institute. These one- to three-year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.

Description:

PICASSO

The Planetary Instrument Concepts for the Advancement of Solar System Observations (PICASSO) Program supports the development of spacecraft-based instrument systems that show promise for use in future planetary missions. The goal of the program is to conduct planetary and astrobiology science instrument feasibility studies, concept formation, proof of concept instruments, and advanced component technology development (technology readiness levels (TRL) 1 – 3) to the point where they may be proposed in response to the Maturation of Instruments for Solar System Exploration (MatISSE) Program.

Applicants who apply for this research opportunity and are subsequently selected for an NPP award are expected to attend the Astrobiology Graduate Conference (AbGradCon) and/or the Astrobiology Science Conference (AbSciCon) using the travel funds that are conferred as part of the NPP award.

Field of Science: Astrobiology

Advisors:

Victor Abrahamson
victor.s.abrahamsson@jpl.nasa.gov
818-354-1769
 
David Blake
david.blake@nasa.gov
650-604-4816
 
Luoth Chou
luoth.chou@nasa.gov
703-638-9924
 
Evan Eshelman
evan.eshelman@montana.edu
626-641-4361
 
Xiang Li
xiang.li@nasa.gov
301-614-6016
 
Ann Parsons
Ann.M.Parsons@nasa.gov
301-614-6016
 
Yamuna Phal
yphal@mines.edu
217-819-1394
 
Sofia Rahiminejad
sofia.rahiminejad@jpl.nasa.gov
626-372-6522
 
Roger C. Wiens
rwiens@purdue.edu
765-327-6962

 

 

 

Eligibility is currently open to: 

  • U.S. Citizens; 

  • U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);  

  • Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status; and, 

  • Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status 

Questions about this opportunity? Please email npp@orau.org

Point of Contact
Eligibility Requirements
  • Degree: Doctoral Degree.
NPP
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