Chemistry in Star-Forming Regions
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
Research proposal
- Develop a research proposal that aligns with NASA’s mission objectives.
- Engage in ongoing NASA research projects at JPL or other NASA Centers.
Requirements
Three letters of recommendation
- Letters should highlight your research capabilities and potential for advancement in astrochemistry.
Official doctoral transcript documents
- Submit official transcripts from your doctoral program.
Qualifications
Doctoral Degree
- A completed doctoral degree in a relevant field is required.
Skills
Thorough understanding of theoretical astrochemistry, including the chemistry of gas and ices in protostellar disks and molecular cloud cores.
- Experience with sophisticated chemical networks.
- Knowledge of observational signatures of different stages of evolution.
- Ability to develop complex organic or pre-biotic chemistry.
Benefits
One- to three-year fellowship
- Opportunity to work on cutting-edge NASA research projects.
- Interactions with hydrodynamical modeling group and observers.
Pay
N/A
Schedule
N/A
Benefits
N/A
Contact Information
Point of Contact: Mikeala
Email: npp@orau.org
Application Deadline
11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone
Location
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California
Field of Science
Cosmochemistry
Advisors
Karen Willacy, karen.willacy@jpl.nasa.gov, 818-354-3467
Eligibility
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
Designated Countries
A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control
Questions
Please email npp@orau.org for inquiries.