Postdoc: Robust Low-Thrust Trajectory Design

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Wellbeing programs

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Learning opportunities

Rideshare

Childcare assistance

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, seeks a postdoctoral researcher to conduct independent research in advanced low-thrust trajectory design and optimization for future deep space missions, with a primary focus on the Psyche mission.

The successful candidate will develop robust optimization methodologies, address operational uncertainties, and collaborate with the Mission Design and Navigation section while contributing to JPL’s capabilities in spacecraft navigation and mission

Qualifications

• PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• Expertise in low-thrust trajectory optimization and spacecraft mission design.
• Experience with numerical optimization, orbital mechanics, trajectory analysis.
• Strong programming skills in Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Physics,

Low-thrust trajectory optimization

Numerical optimization methods

Programming: Python, MATLAB, C++

Peer-reviewed publications

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Physics

Tools

Python

MATLAB

C++

Job description

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, seeks a postdoctoral researcher to conduct independent research in advanced low-thrust trajectory design and optimization for future deep space missions, with a primary focus on the Psyche mission.

The successful candidate will develop robust optimization methodologies, address operational uncertainties, and collaborate with the Mission Design and Navigation section while contributing to JPL’s capabilities in spacecraft navigation and mission