Atmospheric Molecular Spectroscopy in support of Earth and Planetary Science

ORAU; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A research organization is offering the NASA Postdoctoral Program in Pasadena, California, aimed at advancing NASA’s missions in planetary science. This program provides unique research opportunities to talented scientists, focusing on high-resolution molecular spectroscopy and atmospheric studies. Successful candidates will need a Ph.D. in a relevant field and must be eligible based on U.S. citizenship or residency. The position may require drug testing.

Qualifications

• Mandatory drug testing and random drug testing may be required.
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (LPR).

Responsibilities

• Conduct high-resolution molecular spectroscopy of atmospheric species.
• Characterize spectroscopic line parameters for atmospheric molecules.
• Measure collision-induced absorption for atmospheric opacity.
• Model telluric absorption features for EPRV measurements.

Education

Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in a relevant field

Job description

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.

Research Responsibilities

• High‑resolution molecular spectroscopy of atmospheric species, including spectral data acquisition and analysis of rotational and vibrational molecular transitions in the infrared and near‑visible region using a state‑of‑the‑art Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) at JPL and the McMath‑Pierce FTS archive at Kitt Peak.
• Characterization of spectroscopic line parameters and cross‑sections for atmospheric molecules such as CH₄, NH₃, hydrocarbons (C_xH_y), and nitriles (C_xH_yN_z) across temperatures from 80 K to 1000 K.
• Measurements of collision‑induced absorption to provide additional atmospheric opacity sources.
• Precision modeling of telluric absorption features to enable extreme precision radial velocity (EPRV) measurements in the search for Earth‑analogs in habitable zones.

Location

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California

Field of Science

Planetary Science

Eligibility and Qualifications

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in a relevant field.
• U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident (LPR), foreign national eligible for an Exchange Visitor J‑1 visa, or applicant for LPR, asylee, or refugee in the United States with a valid EAD card and a pending I‑485 or I‑589 form.
• Applications from citizens of designated countries are not accepted unless they are legal permanent residents of the United States. The list of designated countries is available at https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.
• Mandatory drug testing, random drug testing, and testing prior to fellowship appointment may be required.

Contact

Email: [e-mail]

Point of Contact: Mikeala