Astrobiology of Ocean Worlds

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

This opportunity is to address gaps in understanding biological and biosignature potential in Ocean Worlds such as Enceladus and Europa. The proposed work leverages Ames’ historical strengths in characterizing organism/environment interactions in planetary analog environments at scales ranging from cellular to ecosystem to planetary. Activities include characterizing the influence of environmental factors on biological and biosignature potential at a physiological level, collecting and analyzing data from planetary analog environments, and developing metabolic and physiological models that allow to constrain rates of metabolisms, metabolic energy production, growth rates, and biosignature production rates. Empirical and numerical data will be used to test specific hypotheses regarding the biotic (e.g., genetic adaptations) and abiotic (e.g., pH, temperature, energy flux, humidity, nutrients) factors that might promote or limit life on Ocean Worlds, to aid in prioritizing targets and help define measurement and instrument requirements for future life detection missions.

Requirements

• A Doctoral Degree
• Citizenship: U.S. Citizens; U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR); Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status; and, Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status

Qualifications

Empirical and numerical data will be used to test specific hypotheses regarding the biotic (e.g., genetic adaptations) and abiotic (e.g., pH, temperature, energy flux, humidity, nutrients) factors that might promote or limit life on Ocean Worlds, to aid in prioritizing targets and help define measurement and instrument requirements for future life detection missions.

Skills

Experience in planetary analog environments, metabolic and physiological modeling, and hypothesis testing using empirical and numerical data.

Benefits

One- to three-year fellowships designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.

Pay

N/A

Schedule

N/A

Contact Information

Point of Contact: Mikeala

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted in Zintellect. Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program.

Application Deadline

11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

Field of Science

Astrobiology

Advisors

Alfonso Davila - alfonso.davila@nasa.gov (650) 604-0695

Designated Countries

A list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control

Questions

Please email npp@orau.org for questions about this opportunity.