Exobiology: Living Systems Science

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

A major component of this initiative is to develop a near- and long-term capability in machine-learning applications for astrobiology. Areas of investigation include:

• Living systems detection and characterization
• Mars sample return science and tools
• Standards of evidence in life detection and implications for techniques
• Fundamental patterns in living systems, from energy flow to environmental occupancy
• Cosmic environmental zones, including exoplanets and planetary system architectures
• Blue-sky astrobiology, from alternate biosignatures to mission concepts

Requirements

We seek a postdoctoral researcher with an appropriate skill set who is interested in these areas and particularly in machine-learning applications across any of these areas. Applicants will have the opportunity to explore both their own research directions and to participate in the design and proposal of projects and to work in collaboration to support cross-cutting efforts in astrobiology at NASA Ames.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a Doctoral Degree.

Skills

Applicants should have a strong background in astrobiology, machine learning, and relevant scientific fields.

Benefits

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.

Pay

N/A

Schedule

N/A

Benefits

N/A

Contact Information

Point of Contact: Mikeala

Eligibility

Eligibility is currently open to: 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.

Questions

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