Spacecraft and Instrument Development for Planetary Science and Exploration

ORAU; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace research organization in Houston, Texas is seeking talented scientists for the NASA Postdoctoral Program. This role involves engaging in unique research opportunities related to planetary science and astronautics, with a focus on developing instruments for upcoming NASA missions. Ideal candidates must hold a Doctoral Degree in related fields and have an interest in systems engineering and spacecraft development. Applications are open until November 1, 2026. Competitive fellowships support the advancement of NASA’s missions in space exploration.

Qualifications

• Qualified individuals with degrees in Planetary Science or Aerospace Engineering.
• Hands-on experience in concept formulation and instrument design.
• Understanding of computational and experimental modeling.

Responsibilities

• Engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center or affiliated research institute.
• Participate in missions for NASA’s Solar System exploration.
• Develop concept designs and feasibility studies for upcoming NASA missions.

Skills

Instrument and spacecraft development

Modeling and computational analyses

Observational and experimental design

Systems engineering

Education

Doctoral Degree in Planetary Science or Aerospace Engineering

Job description

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0009-NPP-NOV26-JSC-PlanetSci

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

11/1/2026 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 Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) Directorate at NASA Johnson Space Center supports NASA’s Solar System exploration and research goals through participation on various spacecraft missions. ARES personnel are actively engaged in missions such as the Mars rovers Opportunity and Curiosity, the DAWN spacecraft to asteroid Ceres, and the OSIRIS REx sample return spacecraft to the near-Earth asteroid Bennu. We are seeking qualified individuals with degrees in Planetary Science or Aerospace Engineering with career interests in areas such as instrument and spacecraft development, modeling and computational analyses, observational and experimental design, and systems engineering.

Our current research interest is focused on the development of concept designs and feasibility studies of science instruments and engineering experiments to be flown on robotic and human spacecraft missions. These activities will support planetary science investigations for the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD). Ideally, the goal is to refine these initial designs and studies so that they will be selected for upcoming NASA missions. We are specifically interested in participating in missions that will investigate the Moon, Earth’s Orbital Environment, Near-Earth Objects, Mainbelt Asteroids, Comets, Mars and its Satellites, and the Trojan Asteroids.

Selected candidates will be intimately involved with the entire process of concept formulation and will participate in further development in areas related to instrument design/fabrication, computational/experimental modeling, and system engineering tests. The goal of this “hands on” approach is to develop and design hardware at relatively low technology readiness levels that can be upgraded for inclusion into future flight missions.

Location

Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas

Field of Science

Planetary Science

Advisors

Paul Abell – [e-mail], 281-483-0293

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

Questions about this opportunity?

Please email [e-mail].

Point of Contact

Mikeala

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.