NASA Postdoctoral Program: Solar System Exploration - Theoretical and Observational Studies in Astrochemistry

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 astrochemistry and molecular astrophysics aimed at understanding astronomical environments studied by current and future NASA missions. The research encompasses chemical connections between different stages in the Galactic evolution of matter, including the birth and death of stars, formation and evolution of the Solar System, and prebiotic chemistry. Research involves both theoretical work constructing computer models of astronomical sources and observational studies using radio telescopes to study the chemistry of various regions of the galaxy. The program examines the molecular inventory found in solar system materials such as meteorites and cometary particles, investigating their interstellar origins and prebiotic chemical heritage.