Rodent Behavior and Cognition: From Earth Simulation to Spaceflight

ORAU; California; On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

NASA offers a postdoctoral opportunity focusing on rodent behavior and cognition in space environments. The role involves leading research projects to study basic biological effects of space conditions, requiring a doctoral degree and rodent handling experience. Applicants will engage with a dynamic team and contribute to innovative research aimed at supporting future space missions.

Qualifications

• Experience in rodent handling is required.
• Candidates must have a Doctoral Degree in a relevant field.

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects on the effects of spaceflight on rodent behavior.
• Conduct experiments with emerging models for simulated weightlessness.

Skills

Rodent handling experience

Research skills in Biological Sciences

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

Rodent Behavior and Cognition: From Earth Simulation to Spaceflight

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Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0114-NPP-NOV25-ARC-BioSci

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

11/1/2025 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:

Work with co-mentors Joshua S. Alwood, PhD, and April E. Ronca, PhD of NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, CA.

The NPP fellow will benefit from this valuable and diverse experience and contribute to the development of new knowledge and technologies that could help astronauts safely travel to the moon and beyond by participating in and leading spaceflight-relevant research.

In this project, the candidate should lead research projects across all aspects of the research lifecycle and develop their independence as a scientist. The fellow should aim to study the basic biological effects of spaceflight and/or gravity as a continuum in the rodent, employing established or emerging ground-based models for simulated weightlessness via hindlimb unloading or hypergravity generated using chronic centrifugation, in combination with either acute or chronic low-dose irradiation and/or social isolation, or other spaceflight-relevant environmental conditions. For example, hypothesis-driven changes in behavior/cognitive function, associated neurotransmitter or signaling molecule levels, and/or circulating biomarkers could be assessed. Prior rodent handling experience required.

The fellow would contribute emerging and complementary cognitive/behavior, neuroscientific, and epigenetic/transgenerational experience into our joint research group and catalyze research productivity for the Space Biology and Human Research Program funded projects. Additionally, this fellowship would potentially support the science planning/preparation for future spaceflight missions.

In this position, the fellow will work with a highly productive team of scientists and engineers, including senior civil servant PIs, senior and early-career contractors; conduct research at key domestic institutions across the nation; participate in computational modeling for astronaut risk prediction; & interact with recognized university and industry collaborators.

Field of Science: Biological Sciences

Advisors:

Joshua Alwood

[e-mail]

[phone]

Jonathan Galazka

[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]

Point of Contact

Mikeala

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Internship

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Health Care Provider

• Industries

  Government Administration

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