Postdoc: Low-Thrust Trajectory Design & Optimization

citjpl; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental & Vision

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, is seeking a Postdoctoral researcher to conduct independent work in robust low-thrust trajectory design for future deep-space missions, with a primary application to the Psyche mission.

You will develop new optimization methods, collaborate with the Mission Design and Navigation team, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and contribute to advancing spacecraft navigation and mission design.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field.
• Expertise in low-thrust trajectory optimization and spacecraft mission design.
• Experience with numerical optimization, orbital mechanics, and trajectory analysis.
• Strong programming skills in Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar.
• Peer-reviewed publications in the research area.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research in robust low-thrust trajectory optimization and mission design.
• Develop optimization methodologies that account for uncertainties, safe-mode recovery, and eclipse constraints.
• Apply advanced trajectory design techniques to the Psyche mission and other representative deep space mission scenarios.
• Develop computational tools and algorithms to support low-thrust mission analysis.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at scientific conferences.

Skills

Low-thrust trajectory optimization

Programming (Python, MATLAB, C++)

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related field

Job description

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, is seeking a Postdoctoral researcher to conduct independent work in robust low-thrust trajectory design for future deep-space missions, with a primary application to the Psyche mission.

You will develop new optimization methods, collaborate with the Mission Design and Navigation team, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and contribute to advancing spacecraft navigation and mission design.