Postdoc: Exoplanet High-Contrast Imaging & JWST Analysis

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Learning opportunities

Job summary

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher in the Exoplanet Systems group. The successful candidate will focus on reducing and analyzing high-contrast imaging data, emphasizing coronagraphic performance, phase retrieval, and forward modeling across JWST data and future missions.

Responsibilities include developing new analysis techniques, publishing results, and collaborating with JPL and Caltech scientists on JWST science investigations.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics, physics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated research experience in astronomical data analysis and high-contrast imaging.
• Experience with scientific programming, preferably Python.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and reduce JWST/NIRCam coronagraphic imaging observations.
• Develop and apply model-based forward modeling and phase retrieval techniques to JWST coronagraphic and NIRISS/AMI data, leveraging wavefront sensing telemetry to improve contrast performance.
• Characterize coronagraphic performance and investigate sources of systematic effects and residual starlight.
• Lead peer-reviewed publications and present research findings at scientific conferences.
• Collaborate with JPL and CalTech astronomers and instrument scientists on JWST science investigations.
• Apply techniques developed through JWST observations to future Roman and HWO coronagraphic imaging applications.

Skills

Astronomical data analysis

High-contrast imaging

Python

Analytical skills

Written and verbal communication

Education

Ph.D. in astronomy/astrophysics/physics

Tools

Python

Job description

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher in the Exoplanet Systems group. The successful candidate will focus on reducing and analyzing high-contrast imaging data, emphasizing coronagraphic performance, phase retrieval, and forward modeling across JWST data and future missions.

Responsibilities include developing new analysis techniques, publishing results, and collaborating with JPL and Caltech scientists on JWST science investigations.