NASA Postdoctoral Program - Space Science: Observational Infrared Astronomy

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 observational astronomy and new instrumentation development at near- to far-infrared wavelengths at NASA Ames Research Center. Current scientific investigations are directed toward obtaining spectral information on galactic and extragalactic objects, particularly the formation and evolution of stars, extrasolar planets, stellar winds, brown dwarfs, galactic H-II regions, reflection nebulae, planetary nebulae, supernovae remnants, the galactic center, molecular clouds, interstellar dust, galaxies, and quasars. Observations are made with the Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope, James Webb Space Telescope, SOFIA, and ground-based facilities. Opportunities exist to continue observational studies in areas including the formation and evolution of stars and planetary systems, processes in the interstellar medium, and the formation and evolution of galaxies. Participation in the scientific and technical definition and development of instrumentation and technologies for future SOFIA instruments, JWST, and future space observatories is also welcomed.