Astrophysics: Particle Astrophysics

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

Job summary

A leading aerospace research agency is offering unique research fellowships in particle astrophysics. The NASA Postdoctoral Program enables scientists to engage in key astrophysics research projects. Ideal candidates will possess a Doctoral Degree and must be U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents. Opportunities include participating in experimental measurements, data analysis, and contributing to various phases of NASA's ongoing research projects. This is a competitive position based at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Qualifications

• Eligible applicants must hold a Doctoral Degree.
• U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident status required.

Responsibilities

• Participate in astrophysics research at NASA.
• Contribute to experimental measurements and data analysis.
• Opportunity to engage in various phases of research projects.

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0061-NPP-NOV26-GSFC-Astrophys

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 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.

Project Focus

Particle astrophysics is a broad field of study that attempts to understand the role played by relativistic particles in astrophysical objects. In particular, the energetic nuclei and electrons that constitute the galactic cosmic rays are used to study the processes that lead to the nucleosynthesis and acceleration of the particles and their interactions with magnetic fields and matter in the galaxy. Experimental measurements are made from balloons and on near‑Earth satellites.

Our current balloon projects involve measurements of antiprotons in the 100 MeV to several GeV range and the abundances of heavy nuclei in cosmic radiation. Typical instrumentation includes magnetic spectrometers, Cherenkov counters, time‑of‑flight detectors, and drift chambers. Opportunities exist to participate in the various phases of these projects—from the identification and definition of specific scientific objectives through the development, testing, and operational phases of an experiment—and finally to carry out data analysis and presentation of results. An active program of theoretical investigation into the origin, acceleration, and interstellar propagation of galactic cosmic‑ray particles is also part of our program.

Location

Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland

Field of Science

Astrophysics

Advisors

• John W. Mitchell – [e-mail], 301‑286‑3199
• John F. Krizmanic – [e-mail], 301‑286‑6817
• Nicholas W. Cannady – [e-mail], 301‑286‑6546

Eligibility

Applications from citizens of Designated Countries will not be accepted unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A list of Designated Countries is available 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 a valid EAD card and I‑485 or I‑589 forms in pending status.

Eligibility Requirements

• Doctoral Degree.