Modeling and Simulation of Ionized Gas Flows for Electric Propulsion and Related Material Inter[...]

ORAU; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NASA, through the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar to model and simulate dense and rarefied ionized gas flows in electric propulsion research. The appointment is one year, renewable up to three years based on funding availability.

Responsibilities include developing and extending fluid‑kinetic codes, validating simulations with laboratory data, and publishing results at conferences and in peer‑reviewed journals.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field, awarded within the past 3 years.
• Demonstrated expertise in kinetic (particle) and/or continuum (fluid) numerical simulation methods, with evidence of substantive application in the doctoral dissertation.
• Solid background in the physics of ionized and neutral flows.
• Proficiency in scientific programming languages, especially Fortran but also C, C++, Python, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Application, enhancement, and extension of existing in‑house and open‑source fluid‑kinetic (hybrid) codes for the modeling and simulation of plasma processes in electric propulsion and related laboratory and space applications, including development of new tools where programmatic needs warrant.
• Contribution to the validation and verification of simulation tools against laboratory and in‑flight data.
• Dissemination of research results through peer‑reviewed publications and presentations at scientific conferences.

Skills

Kinetic/continuum simulation methods

Fortran

C++

Python

Education

PhD in Aerospace Engineering or closely related field

Tools

PIC-MCC codes

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Position Overview

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers fellowships to recent Ph.D. graduates. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Postdoctoral Scholar focuses on modeling and simulation of dense and rarefied ionized gas flows in electric propulsion research. The appointment is one year, renewable up to three years based on funding availability.

Key responsibilities include the application, enhancement, and extension of existing in‑house and open‑source fluid‑kinetic (hybrid) codes for the modeling and simulation of plasma processes in electric propulsion and related laboratory and space applications, validation and verification of simulation tools against laboratory and in‑flight data, and dissemination of research results through peer‑reviewed publications and presentations at scientific conferences.

Responsibilities

• Application, enhancement, and extension of existing in‑house and open‑source fluid‑kinetic (hybrid) codes for the modeling and simulation of plasma processes in electric propulsion and related laboratory and space applications, including development of new tools where programmatic needs warrant.
• Contribution to the validation and verification of simulation tools against laboratory and in‑flight data.
• Dissemination of research results through peer‑reviewed publications and presentations at scientific conferences.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or a closely related science or engineering field, awarded within the past 3 years.
• Demonstrated expertise in kinetic (particle) and/or continuum (fluid) numerical simulation methods, with evidence of substantive application in the doctoral dissertation.
• Solid background in the physics of ionized and neutral flows.
• Proficiency in scientific programming languages, especially Fortran but also C, C++, Python, or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with PIC‑MCC codes used in plasma physics communities (electric propulsion, fusion, astrophysics, pulsed power, or related fields).
• Background in electric‑propulsion plasma physics and its modeling and simulation.
• Strong publication record commensurate with career stage, including peer‑reviewed journal articles and/or conference papers of high technical quality.
• Demonstrated initiative, creativity, and ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.

Eligibility

• U.S. Citizens; U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents; 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.

Application Deadline

11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone