Postdoctoral Research Associate in the NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program
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:
- Research proposal
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official doctoral transcript documents
About the NASA Postdoctoral Program
The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented 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:
The NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP) Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory invites applications for a postdoctoral research scholar interested in exoplanet-related research and programmatics.
The successful candidate will work with the Program Office Scientists to support the definition and implementation of current & future exoplanet space observatories and their required precursor science. Preferred research areas are defined by the ExEP Science Gap List (link below) and include: analyses of exoplanet demographics, host star properties, exozodiacal dust, simulations of mission science return and signal extraction, methods to mitigate stellar jitter in radial velocity datasets, instrumentation for high contrast imaging or precision RV work, or modeling of exoplanetary atmospheres and biosignatures. Research connected to the exoplanet priorities of the Astro2020 Decadal Survey is especially encouraged. The appointee will be expected to do independent exoplanet-related research, contribute to Program Office activities in their areas of expertise, and gain insight into how NASA works from immersion in the multi-disciplinary Program Office team. All three facets of the position include interfacing with the broader science community and the general public.
The ExEP Office works with NASA HQ to implement the Agency's science vision for exoplanets with a portfolio of science analyses, technology development, mission concept development, and supporting ground-based observations. ExEP is a unique environment at the intersection of NASA science, policy, technology, engineering, and public engagement, all focused on the goals of discovering exoplanets, characterizing their properties, and identifying candidates that could harbor life. For further information on current ExEP activities and staff expertise, visit https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to do collaborative research with staff of the JPL Science Division (https:/science.jpl.nasa.gov) and the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI; http://nexsci.caltech.edu/) on the Caltech campus. The exoplanet research environment in Pasadena also includes academic researchers in the Caltech Astronomy and Planetary Science Departments.
ExEP Program Office Scientists Drs. Karl Stapelfeldt, Eric Mamajek, and Jennifer Burt will serve as advisors for the successful candidate. The appointee will carry out their research in coordination with the advisors, resulting in publications in the open literature. The selected candidate will be hosted within the NASA ExEP Office, but have an organizational home in the Astrophysics & Space Sciences Section of the JPL Science Division.
Field of Science: Astrophysics
Advisors:
Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.
Eligibility is currently open to:
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U.S. Citizens;
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U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
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Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status; and,
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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
Candidates should have a Ph.D. in astronomy or planetary science, and previous experience conducting exoplanet-related research including peer-reviewed publications and presentations at scientific conferences. Experience working with astronomical data, especially space mission datasets, is preferred. Candidates with an interest in science management are especially encouraged to apply. Candidates should familiarize themselves with ExEP Program Science Gap list (linked at https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/science-overview) and propose a research plan congruent with these science priorities and their own scientific interests.
- Degree: Doctoral Degree.
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