Post Doctoral Fellow - Safe Learning and Spacecraft Autonomy

University of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Houston's NAIL Lab seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher for a NASA ECF project on safety-enabled onboard planning for autonomous spacecraft. The role focuses on physics-informed reinforcement learning, safety-critical control, and real-time embedded validation.

You will work on spacecraft dynamics, trajectory planning, and high-fidelity simulation, with emphasis on uncertainty handling and autonomous decision-making in deep-space environments.

Qualifications

• PhD in a closely related field is required or strongly preferred.
• Strong background in reinforcement learning, nonlinear/optimal control, or autonomous systems.
• Experience with safety-critical control and real-time/embedded implementation is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead physics-informed and safe reinforcement learning research.
• Develop control barrier functions and safety-critical control strategies.
• Advance spacecraft dynamics, trajectory planning, guidance, navigation, and control.

Skills

Reinforcement learning

Control theory

Autonomous systems

Spacecraft GNC

Embedded systems

Education

PhD in robotics, control, aerospace engineering, EE/CS

Tools

Hardware-in-the-loop

High-fidelity simulation

Job description

Department: Engineering Technology Salary: Commensurate with Experience/Education

Description

This position will be based in Sugar Land, TX

• Receives/Reviews progress and evaluates results of experiments or projects under control or supervisory responsibility.
• Recommends changes in research, testing or experimental procedures.
• May be responsible for a single highly technical and complex piece of research equipment.
• May review and evaluate the effectiveness of personnel.
• May plan for and assign personnel to projects under control.
• Operates with latitude for unreviewed action.
• May receive general supervision conferring with higher levels only in unusual situations.
• Performs other job-related duties as required.
  

The Networked Autonomous Intelligent Learning (NAIL) Lab at the University of Houston is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to work on a newly funded NASA Early Career Faculty (ECF) project: “Safety-Enabled and Efficient Onboard Planning for Autonomous Spacecraft via Physics-Informed Reinforcement Learning.” (https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/stmd/space-tech-research-grants/ecf/early-career-faculty-ecf-2025-awards/)
The project aims to develop safe and computationally efficient learning-enabled onboard planning methods for autonomous spacecraft operating in uncertain deep-space environments. The research integrates physics-informed reinforcement learning, safety-critical control, uncertainty monitoring, and hardware-in-the-loop validation.
The postdoctoral researcher will play a leading role in several aspects of the project, including:

• Physics-informed and safe reinforcement learning
• Control barrier functions and safety-critical control
• Spacecraft dynamics, trajectory planning, guidance, navigation, and control
• High-fidelity simulation of autonomous systems
• Embedded implementation and hardware-in-the-loop validation
• Learning-enabled autonomy under model and environmental uncertainty
  

Candidates with a Ph.D. in robotics, control, aerospace engineering, electrical/computer engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or a closely related field are encouraged to apply. Strong backgrounds in one or more of reinforcement learning, nonlinear/optimal control, control barrier functions, autonomous systems, spacecraft GNC, or real-time/embedded implementation are particularly desirable.
MQ: Requires singular knowledge of a specialized advanced professional discipline or the highest level of general business knowledge, normally acquired through attainment of a directly job-related terminal degree or equivalent formal training in a recognized field of specialization that is directly related to the type of work being performed. No experience is required.
All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.
The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.