Postdoc: Exoplanet High-Res Speckle Imaging

ORAU; California; On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

ORAU is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Scientist for the NASA Ames exoplanet speckle imaging group located in California. This two-year fellowship involves analyzing data, maintaining documentation, and supporting significant outreach projects. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in astronomy or physics, possess experience in observational astronomy, and have skills in scientific computation. Excellent communication and teamwork abilities are essential. The position involves leading research efforts and contributing to scientific papers, with the potential for a third-year extension.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in astronomy, physics, or a related field.
• At least one year of experience at a scientific or research organization.
• Experience in observational astronomy.

Responsibilities

• Perform software analysis to determine observational metrics.
• Maintain documentation on speckle observations and data reduction.
• Participate in observing programs at various telescopes.

Skills

Observational astronomy

Scientific computation

Communication skills

Teamwork

High-resolution imaging

Education

Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or related field

Tools

C

Python

IDL

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0124-NPP-NOV26-ARC-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

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:

The NASA Fellowship Postdoctoral program (NPP) is seeking a Postdoc / Research Scientist for the NASA Ames exoplanet speckle imaging group. This group operates multiple high-resolution imaging instruments on some of the most advanced optical telescopes in the world. The dual-channel optical speckle imagers are: NESSI, Alopeke, and Zorro, and are installed at the WIYN 3.5-m, Gemini-N & Gemini-S 8-m telescopes. The instruments share common operating and data reduction software used to make observations, process and reduce the data, and submit it to the NASA Exoplanet data archive.

The successful candidate would become integrated into the NASA high-resolution speckle image group and become familiar with the speckle instruments, data reduction, and analysis techniques. The job would perform software analysis to determine instrumental/observational metrics such as S/N, contrast limits, etc., revise and maintain documentation on the preparation of speckle observations and the reduction of data, and support the project in the design and implementation of outreach, including a webpage, to increase awareness about the use of speckle data. The candidate would be expected to help the NASA exoplanet community make use of these assets, participate in the observing programs at various telescopes, anticipate/lead in the writing and submission of scientific papers related to this position, and develop your own (25%) research program.

The NPP Fellowship position would be located at NASA’s Ames Research Center (ARC), Moffett Field, CA, and is initially for two years with the possibility of extension for a third.

Field of Science: Astrophysics

Advisors:

Steve Howell

[e-mail]

[phone]

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]

Qualifications

Ph.D degree in astronomy, physics, or a related field.

At least one year of experience at a scientific or research organization.

At least one year of experience in observational astronomy.

Experience in scientific computation with knowledge in one or more of C, Tcl, GTK, IDL, Python and/or other common scientific computational software platforms.

Experience with high-resolution imaging, and/or binary stars and/or exoplanet research Outstanding oral and written communication skills.

A record of independent research and contributions to publications.

Ability to work well with others on a team.

Point of Contact

Mikeala

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.