NASA Postdoctoral Program - Science Preparations for the Habitable Worlds Observatory

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 NPP opportunity focuses on scientific topics that help prepare for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO), a future flagship space telescope. HWO's science goals include the direct imaging and characterization of potentially habitable exoplanets and their systems, as well as a broad range of general astrophysics and solar system investigations. Applicants will work with an advisor involved in the mission's development and the broader Technical Assessment Group (TAG) charged with studying HWO trade options. The program is interested in applicants that complement GSFC's existing skill sets in exoplanet modeling, exozodiacal dust and debris disk science, transit spectroscopy, general astrophysics, planetary science, and mission design as it relates to HWO. Research thrusts could include analysis of possible HWO science investigations, study of how various observations impact observatory or instrument design, and investigation of how existing or near-term observations and facilities can inform HWO.