Solar System Exploration: High-Resolution Spectroscopy of Comets at Infrared Wavelengths

ORAU; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading space research organization offers unique postdoctoral fellowships for talented scientists at its facilities in Greenbelt, Maryland. These competitive positions focus on research in planetary science, targeting volatile components of comets and other significant studies. Candidates must have a Doctoral degree. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, and eligible foreign nationals can apply. Opportunities are available through the NASA Postdoctoral Program, with various eligibility criteria outlined.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree required for participation in NASA research.
• Citizenship eligibility is specified.

Responsibilities

• Engage in NASA research projects.
• Study volatile components of comets.
• Measure abundances of native ices in long-period comets.

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0036-NPP-NOV26-GSFC-PlanetSci

Application Deadline

11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

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.

The 3‑5 micron spectral region contains fundamental ro‑vibrational bands of key molecules comprising the volatile (icy) component of the nuclei of comets. Using modern infrared echelle spectrometers at world‑class observatories permits direct measurement of the volatile component of comets. These instruments combine long‑slit coverage with sensitive array detectors having small pixels. This is necessary for discriminating between release of volatiles directly from the nucleus, as opposed to release from one or more sources in the cometary atmosphere (coma). Because the ices are most sensitive to heating, their study provides clues to conditions prevalent in the early solar system and comets contain the best‑preserved remnant material from this epoch. Since 1996, we have measured abundances of seven native ices (water, carbon monoxide, methyl alcohol, ethane, methane, hydrogen cyanide, and acetylene) in eight long‑period comets, and have measured additional molecules (formaldehyde, ammonia, and carbonyl sulfide) in some of these comets. We will target two long‑period comets and four short‑period comets over the next three years, and expect additional long‑period comets to become available for study, as these are discovered (or recovered) at a significant rate through observational survey programs and by amateur observers.

Location

Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland

Field of Science

Planetary Science

Advisors

Michael DiSanti
[e-mail]
301-286-7036

Eligibility

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
• 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

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.

Point of Contact

Mikeala
[e-mail]