Agnostic Biosignatures and Planetary Mass Spectrometry

ORAU; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ORAU is offering a NASA Postdoctoral position at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, focused on astrobiology research. Candidates will engage in unique research projects addressing the chemical complexity of potential biological indicators in planetary environments. Applicants must have a doctoral degree and comply with eligibility requirements. Key tasks include conducting research with advanced techniques and collaborating with leading scientists. Applications are accepted from U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents until 11/1/2026.

Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree is required for applicants.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on chemical complexity of molecules in planetary ocean worlds.
• Utilize tandem mass spectrometer techniques for analysis.
• Coordinate with research teams to explore molecular complexity.

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

Overview

Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code: 0194-NPP-NOV26-GSFC-Astrobio

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted in Zintellect. Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org).

A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes:

• Research proposal
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official doctoral transcript documents

Application Deadline

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

Position Description

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.

This work is intended to expand our understanding of how the chemical complexity of a molecule identified in a planetary ocean worlds environment may be an indicator of the presence of biology. We will compare the structure of organic compounds produced abiotically such as those extracted from meteorite samples with complex organic compounds produced by living systems. We will utilize tandem mass spectrometer techniques in association with a variety of separation and ionization techniques to explore the hypothesis that there is a certain level of complexity beyond which abiotic production is unlikely. This work will be done in close coordination with Dr. Sarah Johnson leading a team exploring agnostic approaches to life detection and a research team at the University of Glasgow led by Leroy Cronin that utilizes graph theory to explore molecular complexity.

Location: Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland

Field of Science: Astrobiology

Advisors

• William Brinckerhoff
• [e-mail]
• 301-614-6397

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.

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
• 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 about this opportunity? Please email [e-mail]

Point of Contact

Mikeala

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.