Energetics and Kinematics of Feedback from Massive Young Stars

ORAU; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace research institution is offering a NASA Postdoctoral Program for talented scientists in Pasadena, California. This opportunity involves conducting advanced research in the fields of astrophysics and space science. Candidates must hold a Doctoral Degree and be eligible as U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents. This program includes engaging in collaborative scientific work, analyzing astrophysical data, and contributing to prominent NASA missions. Apply to be part of exciting research at NASA.

Qualifications

• Must have a Doctoral Degree to apply for the NASA Postdoctoral Program.
• Eligible applicants include U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents.

Responsibilities

• Engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center.
• Develop improved methods of data reduction and extraction.
• Work with a team of scientists on analysis of fine structure lines.

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0200-NPP-NOV26-JPL-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

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.

Massive young stars return energy to their surroundings via radiative and mechanical processes. This feedback may well control the rate of star formation and thus the evolution of galaxies. Probing this feedback requires measurement of momentum and energy inputs from the stars to their surroundings. These quantities can best be measured by far infrared fine structure line emission, particularly of ionized carbon ([CII]), ionized nitrogen ([NII]), and atomic oxygen ([OI]). These lines can be observed at high spectral resolution required to measure velocity shifts and thus dynamics. Platforms to date have included SOFIA and the STO‑2 balloon mission. We have large quantities of data from SOFIA, both new and archival, that directly relate to this important issue. In addition we are heavily involved in the GUSTO ultra‑long duration balloon mission that will observe all three of these species over a significant portion of the Galactic plane. GUSTO is scheduled for flight in December 2022, and data will be available almost immediately. The ASTHROS mission to study [NII] is just starting, and will fly in 2023. The holder of NPP will work at JPL with a group of scientists involved in analysis of fine structure lines and modeling of photon dominated regions. He or she will develop improved methods of data reduction and extraction of key parameters for determining the kinematics and dynamics of the gas surrounding massive young stars. The Astrophysics and Space Sciences Section at JPL includes scientists working on a wide range of astrophysical problems and provides a broadly stimulating environment along with the chance to interact with engineers developing new instrumentation, and scientists working on concepts for new missions.

References:

• "Probing ISM Structure in Trumpler 14 and Carina Using the Stratospheric Terahertz Observatory 2," Seo, Y., Goldsmith, P.F., Walker, C. K., et al. 2019, ApJ, 878, 120.
• "Electron Densities and Nitrogen Abundances in Ionized Gas Derived Using [NII] Fine‑structure and Hydrogen Recombination Lines," Pineda, J.L., Horiuchi, S., Anderson, L., Luisi, M., Langer, W.D., Goldsmith, P.F., Kuiper, T.B., Bryden, G., Soriano, M., & Lazio, J.W. 2019, Ap.J., 886, 1.
• "Modeling Collisional Excitation of [OI] Fine Structure Line Emission from PDRs: I. Homogeneous Clouds," Goldsmith, P.F. 2019, Ap.J., 887, 54.

Location

Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Pasadena, California

Field of Science

Astrophysics

Advisors

Paul F. Goldsmith
[e-mail]
(818) 393‑0518

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:
• 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.

Eligibility Requirements

Degree: Doctoral Degree.

Questions

Please email [e-mail] or contact Mikeala for more information.

Contact

Mikeala