Development of Next-Generation Thermopile Arrays for Space Applications

ORAU; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

ORAU is offering a unique opportunity through the NASA Postdoctoral Program, inviting talented scientists for research at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. This prestigious program facilitates advanced research in planetary science, focusing on exploring innovative technologies for next-generation thermal detection systems.

Candidates must possess a Doctoral Degree. The program includes a competitive fellowship lasting one to three years, aiming to contribute to NASA’s significant missions in space and Earth science.

Qualifications

• Must have a Doctoral Degree to apply.

Responsibilities

• Participate in research projects at NASA.
• Engage in ongoing NASA research and project work.

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

Overview

Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code: 0115-NPP-NOV26-JPL-PlanetSci

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.

Description:

Historically for solar system exploration, thermopiles have been an ideal detector technology for thermal imagers and flown on Voyager (IRIS instrument), Viking Orbiter (IRTM), Cassini (CIRS), Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MCS), and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (Diviner); however, thermopile arrays to date have been limited to several rows of 10s of pixels. These small 1D arrays flying on thermal imagers are just not good enough for the demanding future missions to primitive bodies (i.e. Trojan asteriods), planets and their satellites (e.g Europa). Why not use new surface- and bulk-micromachining techniques to modernize these productive but archaic thermopile arrays to build a new 2D array with a dramatic increase in size? Additionally, why not explore using new materials to improve the sensitivity of thermopiles? We are currently developing a new fabrication process flow to build the next-generation of thermopile arrays.

Location:

Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Pasadena, California

Field of Science: Planetary Science

Advisors:

Matthew Kenyon
[e-mail]
818-354-0662

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.

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; 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

Questions about this opportunity? Please email [e-mail]

Point of Contact

Mikeala

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.