Space Science: Observational Infrared Astronomy

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

Opportunities exist to participate in a program of observational astronomy and new instrumentation development at near- to far-infrared (IR) wavelengths. Observations are currently being made with the Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope, and ground-based facilities. In addition, we are planning observations to be made with NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and SOFIA.

• Current scientific investigations are largely directed toward obtaining spectral information on galactic and extragalactic objects, particularly the formation and evolution of stars, extrasolar planets, stellar winds, brown dwarfs, galactic H-II regions, reflection nebulae, planetary nebulae, supernovae remnants, the galactic center, molecular clouds, interstellar dust, galaxies, and quasars.
• The molecular and grain components of various interstellar media are also being studied.
• Applications for new observations are also encouraged.
• Instrumentation and technologies for future SOFIA instruments, JWST, and future space observatories are also being studied and tested.
• Participation in the scientific and technical definition and development of these systems is welcomed.

Requirements

Existing data from the Hubble Space Telescope, the Spitzer Space Telescope, and the W. M. Keck Observatory are available for these studies, and applications for new observations are also encouraged.

Qualifications

A Doctoral Degree is required.

Skills

Strong background in observational astronomy and/or instrumentation development is preferred.

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

Contact Information

Point of Contact: Mikeala

Advisors

• Pamela M. Marcum: pamela.m.marcum@nasa.gov
• Pasquale Temi: pasquale.temi@nasa.gov
• Thomas Peter Greene: tom.greene@nasa.gov
• Naseem Rangwala: naseem.rangwala@nasa.gov