Astrophysics: James Webb Space Telescope Science and Instrumentation

ORAU; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading space research institution invites applications for postdoctoral research in astrophysics. The role involves working directly with Project Scientists on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), analyzing data, and proposing new observations. Applicants must possess a Doctoral Degree in a relevant field. The position is based at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and is open to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, among others.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in relevant field required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct postdoctoral research in astrophysics or planetary science.
• Analyze JWST data and propose new observations.
• Work with JWST Project Scientists.

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0098-NPP-NOV26-GSFC-Astrophys

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

Description

About the NASA Postdoctoral Program

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.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Project at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) invites applications through the NASA Postdoctoral Program to carry out postdoctoral research in astrophysics or planetary science. The applicant will work directly with one of the JWST Project Scientists and will be resident at GSFC. The proposed research should be highly relevant to JWST (such as analyzing JWST data, proposing new JWST observations, analyzing complementary datasets, or making simulations to compare to JWST results), or should propose instrumentation work that is highly relevant to JWST and/or the Habitable Worlds Observatory, including wavefront sensing and control, detectors, microshutters for space‑flight multi‑object spectroscopy, integral field spectroscopy, and coronagraphy.

Each NPP application needs to specify a sponsor for the proposed research. The applicant should choose as a sponsor the member of the JWST Project Science Team that best matches their research interests, and contact that sponsor well before the NPP deadline for advice on preparing the application. The JWST Project Science team at NASA’s GSFC consists of scientists who together work to maximize the scientific impact of JWST, and who also conduct scientific research and sponsor postdoctoral fellows doing research. Research topics of interest to the JWST Project Scientists include:

• Deep or wide surveys of galaxies and active nuclei
• Gravitationally lensed galaxies
• Multi‑wavelength galaxy evolution
• Integral field or multi‑object spectroscopy of galaxies
• Debris disks
• Exoplanets using coronagraphic or transiting techniques
• Solar System Objects
• Infrared instrumentation, including advanced detectors, wavefront sensing, and optics

Location

Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland

Field of Science

Astrophysics

Advisors

• Amber Straughn – [e-mail]
• Bernard Rauscher – [e-mail]
• Jane Rigby – [e-mail]
• Mike McElwain – [e-mail]
• Stefanie Milam – [e-mail]
• Susan G Neff – [e-mail]
• Knicole D. Colon – [e-mail]

Eligibility

• 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.

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.

Questions about this opportunity?

Please email [e-mail]

Qualifications

Degree: Doctoral Degree.