Astrophysics: Particle Astrophysics

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.

Description

Particle astrophysics is a broad field of study that attempts to understand the role played by relativistic particles in astrophysical objects. In particular, the energetic nuclei and electrons, which make up the galactic cosmic rays, are used to study the processes that lead to the nucleosynthesis and acceleration of the particles and their interactions with the magnetic fields and matter in the galaxy. Experimental measurements of these particles are made from balloons and on near-Earth satellites.

• Current balloon projects involve measurements of antiprotons in the 100 MeV to several GeV range and the abundances of heavy nuclei in the cosmic radiation.
• Typical instrumentation includes magnetic spectrometers, Cherenkov counters, time-of-flight detectors, and drift chambers.
• Opportunities exist to participate in the various phases of those projects from the identification and definition of the specific scientific objectives through the development, test, and operational phases of an experiment and finally, to carry out the data analysis and presentation of results.
• An active program of theoretical investigation into the origin, acceleration, and interstellar propagation of galactic cosmic-ray particles is also part of our program.

Location

Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland

Field of Science

Astrophysics

Advisors

• John W. Mitchell
  john.w.mitchell@nasa.gov
  301-286-3199
• John F. Krizmanic
  john.f.krizmanic@nasa.gov
  301-286-6817

Eligibility

• U.S. Citizens;
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status;
• 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

Questions

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