Space Science: Exoplanet Science and Technology Development

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

Job summary

ORAU is offering a unique opportunity in the NASA Postdoctoral Program for scientists specifically focused on exoplanet research at Ames Research Center. This one to three-year fellowship provides a chance to engage in cutting-edge research regarding planetary atmospheres and contribute to future NASA missions. Applicants must possess a Doctoral Degree and relevant experience in theoretical models and observations. Advisors include notable names in the field, and candidates will work with high-performance technology in a competitive fellowship environment.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in a relevant field.
• Experience in theoretical computation and atmospheric models.
• Familiarity with exoplanet observations and NASA missions.

Responsibilities

• Engage in NASA research projects on exoplanet atmospheres.
• Conduct and interpret observations from various telescopes.
• Develop technology for future exoplanet missions.

Education

Doctoral Degree

Job description

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.

Responsibilities

Ames scientists are actively involved in theoretical computation of extrasolar planet atmospheres, predicting exoplanet spectra, conducting and interpreting exoplanet observations, planning future observations, and developing technology for future exoplanet missions.

Atmospheric models and spectra are being developed for giant planets, terrestrial planets, and brown dwarfs. These models are applied to interpret spectroscopic observations made by the Spitzer Space Telescope and to plan future observatories.

Theoretical models of multi‑planet solar systems are used to interpret ground‑based radial velocity observations, resulting in the discovery of new planets and some of the least massive known exoplanets.

Ames is also planning and studying exoplanet observations with future NASA missions, including data from NASA’s Kepler mission, the James Webb Space Telescope, and future coronagraphic and transiting exoplanet missions.

Finally, Ames is putting significant effort into developing a high‑contrast imaging testbed for an eventual mission to image exoplanets with a coronagraphic space telescope. The testbed includes a high‑performance Phase‑Induced Amplitude Apodization (PIAA) coronagraph and a wavefront control system utilizing MEMS deformable mirrors. Opportunities exist for participating in this effort in a variety of areas, including optical analysis and alignment, wavefront control, and coronagraph system modeling.

Location

Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California

Field of Science

Planetary Science

Advisors

• Natasha Batalha – [e-mail]
• Ruslan Belikov – [e-mail]
• Jessie Dotson – [e-mail]
• Sonny Harman – [e-mail]
• Jack Lissauer – [e-mail]
• Mark Marley – [e-mail]

Eligibility Requirements

• Doctoral Degree