Astrophysics: Far-Infrared, Submillimeter, and Millimeter-wave Instruments for Astronomy
Organization
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Reference Code
0097-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)
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
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:
This work focuses on ultrasensitive detector design, fabrication, characterization, and integration into instruments for ground-based, airborne, and space-based astrophysical investigations. Current research focuses primarily on the development of large-format arrays of sensitive bolometers using superconducting transition edge sensors. We also have investigated single pixel optimization, including operation at very low powers for ultrasensitive (NEP~10^-19 W/Hz^0.5), novel noise suppression methods, and polarization sensitivity. Recent efforts include the development of hot electron bolometers, microwave kinetic inductance detectors, and novel microstrip spectrometers.
As a key portion of our detector development activities, our group is heavily involved in deploying instruments for suborbital observations. Instruments currently under development include the balloon-borne projects PIPER (Primordial Inflation Polarization Explorer), a 0.5-2mm wavelength camera for CMB polarimetry and EXCLAIM (EXperiment for Cryogenic Large-Aperture Intensity Mapping), a submillimeter intensity mapping experiment operating from 0.5-0.7mm. We also build instruments based on these detectors for ground-based observatories, including the GISMO-2 dual-band (1.15 and 2mm wavelength) camera for the 30m Millimeter Radio Telescope. Finally, technology development for large format bolometer arrays and for MKID-based instruments for mid- and far-infrared imaging and spectroscopy are being intensively pursued and offer unique opportunities for postdoctoral research.
Location:
Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
Field of Science: Astrophysics
Advisors:
Thomas M Essinger-Hileman
thomas.m.essinger-hileman@nasa.gov
301.286.3693
Jason Glenn
jason.glenn@nasa.gov
301-286-4591
Alan J. Kogut
Alan.J.Kogut@nasa.gov
301-286-0853
Erin C. Smith
erin.c.smith@nasa.gov
301-286-7793
Eric Switzer
Eric.R.Switzer@nasa.gov
301-614-0921
Karwan Rostem
karwan.rostem@nasa.gov
301.286.0308
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 npp@orau.org
Point of Contact
Mikeala
Eligibility Requirements
• Degree: Doctoral Degree.
Government Administration
Other
Full-time