Executive Director (NExScI)

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

14d • Onsite

About The Position

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL. Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence. The NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI) at Caltech is the science center for NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program Office (ExEP) and serves as a central hub for the exoplanet research community, providing critical infrastructure, data services, and scientific support for the astronomical community. NExScI enables the timely and successful execution of exoplanet science by supporting missions, managing key archives and facility access, educating the community, and fostering collaboration across the global astronomical community. NExScI plays a pivotal role in advancing the nation’s exoplanet strategy—from supporting mission teams to empowering researchers with tools, data, and expertise. Its work underpins and advances NASA’s strategy to discover and characterize planets beyond our solar system, ensuring that scientists and engineers have the resources they need to push the boundaries of exoplanet discovery. Major NExScI initiatives include: curating the NASA Exoplanet Archive, ExoFOP service, NEID Archive, and Keck Observatory Archive; creating and running data tools and pipelines; running the annual Sagan Summer Workshops and co-leading the NASA Hubble Fellowship Program; and managing NASA’s time on the two Keck Observatory 10m telescopes. The Executive Director of NExScI will be a Jet Propulsion Laboratory employee, work from an office at Caltech, and is expected to hold a joint appointment to Caltech PMA. They will operate at the nexus of this dynamic ecosystem, serving as a key scientific and organizational leader. The role requires extensive engagement with ExEP, JPL, IPAC, NASA Headquarters, Caltech, and the broader astronomical community. The successful candidate will be a distinguished scientific leader who is an effective communicator and strategic thinker who can represent NExScI across institutions, guide its scientific vision, and strengthen its role as a cornerstone of NASA’s exoplanet program.

Requirements

• Masters in astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, physics, or a closely related field, or Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, physics, or a closely related field with 8 years of management experience demonstrating deep expertise in exoplanet science or adjacent disciplines
• Nationally or internationally recognized record of scientific achievement, including contributions to exoplanet research, astronomical instrumentation, mission support, or large scientific collaborations
• Extensive experience leading scientific programs, teams, or research organizations, ideally within NASA, federally funded research centers, major observatories, or academic institutions
• Demonstrated ability to develop and articulate scientific and programmatic strategies in alignment with institutional and agency goals
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to represent an organization to diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to foster collaborations across institutions, including universities, observatories, and NASA centers, and to cultivate a vibrant, inclusive scientific environment
• Ability to work effectively with both JPL and Caltech/IPAC management structures, navigating joint governance and shared responsibilities

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, physics, or a closely related field
• Experience working with large astronomical data archives, community-facing science platforms, or mission support infrastructures, such as those maintained by NExScI
• Proven experience managing complex budgets and multi‑institutional programs, including planning, justification, and reporting to senior leadership or funding agencies
• Strong familiarity with NASA mission operations, proposal processes, and program structures, particularly those relevant to the Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP)
• Experience with management of Time Allocation Committees, particularly serving as a selecting official
• Experience organizing scientific workshops, conferences, or community engagement activities, and the ability to guide staff in executing such events at scale
• Experience with strategic scientific planning on a national or international scale
• Experience with large ground and/or space-based telescopes and instrumentation

Responsibilities

• Leads the NExScI Director’s Office, which includes the NExScI Executive Director (JPL, this position), the NExScI Deputy Director (Caltech/IPAC NExScI lead), and the NExScI Chief Scientist (Caltech/IPAC).
• In conjunction with NASA HQ and ExEP, is responsible for defining, articulating, and executing NExScI strategies and assessing the relevance of new initiatives consistent with the long-term goals and policies of Caltech/IPAC, ExEP, and NASA.
• In consultation with ExEP and Caltech/IPAC, is responsible for preparing NExScI’s budget submission to NASA headquarters.
• Ensures the continuous development of the NASA Exoplanet Archive, which provides exoplanet data and serves as infrastructure for mission-specific support tasks such as the ExoFOP website. Provides and articulates a vision for the future development of the Archive.
• Facilitates exoplanet science by directing NExScI staff at Caltech/IPAC to organize and host workshops and meetings related to ExEP goals. Plans and contributes to executing the annual Sagan Summer Workshop.
• Convenes the NASA Keck Observing Time Allocation Committee, serves as the Selection Official for NASA observing time on the 10m Keck Observatory telescopes.
• Works with IPAC management and scientific staff working on other exoplanet science projects to ensure a vibrant and well-integrated IPAC-NExScI science environment.
• Promotes scientific and technical collaborations with relevant JPL staff as well as Caltech faculty members and students in exoplanet research.

Benefits

• JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more.
• Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together.
• For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.
• For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director