Astrobiology: The Evolution of Life in the Physical Environment

ORAU; California; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

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.

Location: Ames Research Center, Moffet Field, California.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree required.
• Citizenship eligibility for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or eligible visa statuses.

Skills

Molecular techniques

Astrobiology

Evolutionary biology

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0035-NPP-NOV26-ARC-Astrobio

Application Deadline

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

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.

“Nature red in tooth and claw” was less likely to be a concern among early organisms than the ability to deal with the physical environment. During the last few years our lab has focused on the effects of solar UV radiation, and secondarily, ionizing radiation and salt as extreme parameters to be dealt with by life. We are particularly interested in researchers with molecular techniques that can be applied to studies of evolution, particularly at the protistan or cyanobacterial levels.

Location

Ames Research Center, Moffet Field, California

Field of Science

Astrobiology

Advisors

Lynn Justine Rothschild

[e-mail]

650-604-6525

Point of Contact

Mikeala

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.

• 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

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.