NASA Postdoctoral Program - Optical Instrumentation and NDE Technology

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. This specific opportunity focuses on research and development of optical measurement technology for smart aerospace propulsion and power systems, including system health monitoring, diagnostics, and testing. Research areas include laser-based techniques for flow characterization and surface temperature and pressure measurements, micro-optics, mobile sensing platforms, quantum optics, nanotechnology and biomimetics. The position also involves research and development in nondestructive evaluation (NDE) science to assure structural integrity and reliability of aerospace propulsion and power systems, with emphasis on nondestructive materials characterization for composite and monolithic advanced materials. Methods used include ultrasonic guided and bulk wave, acoustics, x-ray microcomputed tomography, digital x-ray, and thermographic imaging.