Solid-State Gamma-ray Instrument Development for Future Astroparticle Missions

ORAU; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research organization is inviting applications for a unique fellowship program in astrophysics. This role focuses on developing innovative gamma-ray detectors and conducting groundbreaking research on cosmic phenomena. Candidates should possess a doctoral degree and have strong expertise in detector systems, electronics, and software development. The position will be based in Greenbelt, Maryland, with competitive research opportunities available. Interested applicants should review the details and apply through Zintellect.

Qualifications

• Experience in gamma-ray astronomy and cosmic physics.
• Proven record of developing detectors or electronics.
• Strong software skills for instrumentation development.

Responsibilities

• Engage in ongoing NASA research projects.
• Develop next-generation gamma-ray experiments.
• Collaborate with teams on detector simulations and designs.

Skills

Detector design and characterization

Software development for simulations

Electronics development

Low-level detector design

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0221‑NPP‑NOV26‑GSFC‑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).

• 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.

Research Focus

High‑energy gamma‑ray astronomy focuses on the study of cosmic explosions, cosmic accelerators, and fundamental physics. The next leap in our understanding of the extreme universe will come through observations in the energy band spanning keV to GeV. The Astroparticle physics lab at Goddard is developing and building next‑generation gamma‑ray experiments and missions on a range of scales and platforms. The next advances in these missions will be enabled through the simulation and development of radiation‑hard, low‑power solid‑state detectors such as silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), silicon pixel detectors, and silicon strip detectors.

The team at Goddard offers opportunities to pursue topics relevant to the development of these types of detectors, including low‑level detector design and characterization, read‑out electronics development (both analog and digital), software development (including simulations and firmware), and instrument design.

Our group has access to existing facilities and equipment needed to carry out the proposed research, including electronics development and testing laboratories, detector development and testing facilities, computing and software development facilities, fabrication facilities, radioactive sources for testing, on‑site machine shops, and read‑out electronics for testing preliminary engineering models of the instrument. The hardware developed in this opportunity is specifically focused on the astrophysics studies enabled by future medium or high‑energy gamma‑ray missions such as AMEGO, and it is also applicable to several upcoming heliophysics opportunities including Lunar Gateway and the PRISM opportunity.

Location

Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland

Field of Science

Astrophysics

Advisors

Georgia de Nolfo – [e-mail] – 301‑286‑1512
Jeremy S. Perkins – [e-mail] – 301‑286‑3463
Regina Caputo – [e-mail] – 301‑286‑0072
Carolyn Kierans – [e-mail] – (301) 286‑7628
Nicholas Cannady – [e-mail] – 301‑286‑6546

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.

• 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]

Points of Contact

Mikeala

Eligibility Requirements

Degree: Doctoral Degree.