Circumstellar Matter: Jets and Dust
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
We are studying dust- and nucleosynthetically-enriched circumstellar matter ejected by low- and intermediate-mass stars at the end of their lives, utilizing data from e.g., Hubble, Spitzer and Chandra. This mass-ejection process is a crucially important part of the life-cycle of stars, because it sows the seeds (by injecting dust grains, and matter enriched in the biogenic elements C and N) for the birth of new stars and solar systems. The understanding of how the early Universe evolved into what we observe presently requires understanding the mass-loss processes from generations of stars slowly enriching the ISM with metals and dust.
Requirements
- Research proposal
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official doctoral transcript documents
Qualifications
A completed doctoral degree in astronomy, astrophysics, physics, or a related field by the start date of the appointment.
Skills
Experience with observational astronomy, stellar evolution, and/or circumstellar environments.
Benefits
One- to three-year fellowships, competitive stipend, and benefits.
Pay
Competitive stipend.
Schedule
Full-time, one- to three-year appointment.
Contact Information
Point of Contact: Mikeala
Email: npp@orau.org
Eligibility
Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete 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.