Solar System Exploration: Planetary Physics, Comets, and Solar Wind

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 includes ongoing studies of Io and Io Torus, particularly time-variable phenomena. These programs also focus on aurorae on gas giants. Searches are underway for planetary bodies the orbit of Pluto. Cometary research emphasizes the interaction of bright comets (such as Halley) with the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field, interpreting ion structures in the comet seen in wide-angle images of the tail, and narrow-field images of the ion coma and spectra. We are also interested in what solar-wind/IMF conditions initiate the formation of transient structures in the cometary tails, where in the comet the seat of the initial disturbance resides (e.g., sunward comma, inner ion tail), and what specific instability mechanism is involved. Structures important to probe in this manner are disconnection events, folding ion tail rays, and propagating helical waves.

Requirements

• A completed doctoral degree in a relevant field by the start date of the appointment
• Strong research background
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent communication skills

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (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

Skills

• Strong research background
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Benefits

• One- to three-year fellowship
• Opportunities to engage in ongoing NASA research projects
• Competitive salary and benefits package

Pay

Salary range: $70,000 - $100,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience.

Schedule

Full-time, one- to three-year appointment.

Contact Information

For questions about this opportunity, please email npp@orau.org.