Astrophysics: Advanced Techniques in X-ray Optics

ORAU

Greenbelt (MD)

On-site

USD 50,000 - 70,000

Full time

14 days+

Get more replies from employers

Send a job-specific resume in minutes.

Job summary

ORAU is seeking postdoctoral fellows to work on state-of-the-art x-ray optics and develop techniques for manufacturing x-ray telescopes with enhanced characteristics. The role involves pioneering technology for lightweight, high-throughput optics and precision glass mirror forming. Candidates must hold a Doctoral Degree and eligibility is restricted to U.S. Citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, and certain foreign nationals. The position is based at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, with an application deadline of November 1, 2026.

Qualifications

Postdoctoral fellows should be interested in developing techniques for x-ray optics.
Eligibility is open to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.

Responsibilities

Develop techniques to manufacture x-ray telescopes.
Pioneer epoxy replication and precision glass mirror forming techniques.

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

Description

Our objective is to develop techniques to manufacture x-ray telescopes with five characteristics: high angular resolution, high throughput, light weight, low cost, and efficient production. Two independent technologies are in development. We have pioneered an epoxy replication technique that enabled the manufacture of the lightweight, high throughput optics that flew on ASCA and Suzaku. We are improving this technology further to enable both better angular resolution and higher throughput for the upcoming Astro-H mission, scheduled for launch in 2014. We have also pioneered a precision glass mirror forming technique that we have used for manufacturing the mirrors for the upcoming NuSTAR mission, scheduled for launch in 2012. We are developing the glass mirror technology and a corresponding alignment and integration technology to meet the 5 arc-second angular resolution requirement of the International X‑ray Observatory. We have the laboratory and engineering resources for making, measuring, and testing high quality x-ray mirrors to advance these technologies for missions in this decade as well as future missions with unprecedented angular resolution (better than 0.5 arc‑seconds) and photon collection areas (larger than one square meter). We seek postdoctoral fellows interested in working on state‑of‑the‑art x-ray optics.

Location

Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland

Field of Science

Astrophysics

Advisors

Takashi Okajima: Takashi.Okajima@nasa.gov (301‑286‑1037)

Application Deadline

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

Eligibility

Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States.

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 a valid EAD card and I‑485 or I‑589 forms in pending status

Eligibility Requirements