Developing a physically-motivated picture of stellar activity at rotational timescales for EPRV studies

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

The successful applicant(s) will work closely with a team of field-leading exoplanet detection experts to analyze high resolution spectroscopic data from these EPRV facilities to isolate and model the effects of granulation, stellar pulsations, and rotationally-modulated signals (e.g. spots, plages) at the spectral level. The research will focus on leveraging a library of high-resolution spectra of active stars spanning a wide range of effective temperatures to derive and test different spectroscopic measurement metrics and techniques aimed at identifying stellar activity signals in radial velocity time series. The eventual goal will be to apply these techniques to other spectroscopic data sets of nearby stars to improve detection sensitivity to smaller planets.

Requirements

• Doctoral Degree
• Work closely with a team of field-leading exoplanet detection experts
• Analyze high resolution spectroscopic data from EPRV facilities
• Derive and test spectroscopic measurement metrics and techniques
• Apply techniques to other spectroscopic data sets of nearby stars

Qualifications

• Highly-talented scientists
• Engage in ongoing NASA research projects
• Focus on exoplanet detection and characterization
• Use high resolution, high precision spectroscopic data
• Collaborate with a team of exoplanet detection experts

Skills

• Expertise in exoplanet detection
• Ability to analyze high resolution spectroscopic data
• Knowledge of stellar activity and its impact on exoplanet signals
• Experience with radial velocity time series analysis
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Benefits

• Unique research opportunities at NASA Centers, Headquarters, or affiliated institutes
• Competitive one- to three-year fellowships
• Opportunities to advance NASA’s missions in various scientific fields

Pay

N/A

Schedule

N/A

Benefits

• Unique research opportunities
• Competitive stipend
• Professional development opportunities
• Access to NASA resources and facilities

Application Deadline

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

Contact Information

Point of Contact: Mikeala

Email: npp@orau.org