NASA Postdoctoral Program - Planetary Instrument Concepts for the Advancement of Solar System Observations (PICASSO)

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. This specific opportunity focuses on PICASSO - the Planetary Instrument Concepts for the Advancement of Solar System Observations Program, which supports the development of spacecraft-based instrument systems that show promise for use in future planetary missions. The goal 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. These one- to three-year fellowships are competitive and designed to advance NASA's missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology. Selected fellows are expected to attend the Astrobiology Graduate Conference (AbGradCon) and/or the Astrobiology Science Conference (AbSciCon) using the travel funds conferred as part of the NPP award.