Project #6 - Postbaccalaureate Positions in Astrophysics Science and Solar System Exploration Divisions

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center•Greenbelt, MD

2d•$48,900 - $48,900•Onsite

About The Position

Applications are now being accepted for short-term postbaccalaureate research positions to support the Astrophysics Science and Solar System Exploration Divisions at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA/GSFC) in Greenbelt, MD. The position is funded by Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA) through the Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology II (CRESST II). The Astrophysics Science Division conducts a broad program of research in astronomy, astrophysics, and fundamental physics. Individual investigations address issues such as the nature of dark matter and dark energy, which planets outside our solar system may harbor life, and the nature of space, time, and matter at the edges of black holes. The Solar System Exploration Division conducts theoretical and experimental research to explore the solar system and understand the formation and evolution of planetary systems. Laboratories within the division investigate areas as diverse as astrochemistry, planetary atmospheres, geochemistry, geophysics, geodynamics, space geodesy, extrasolar planetary systems, and comparative planetary studies. Positions available within the Astrophysics Science and Solar System Exploration Divisions span a variety of research areas. Successful candidates will be chosen to work on one of the research projects listed below: Project #1 - Cosmic dust is essential to star and planet formation, cosmic chemistry, galaxy evolution, and even cosmology. Dust forms in supernova remnants or the cool atmospheres of giant stars, but somehow half of all the dust in the Universe manages to escape the galaxies where it formed and wanders the intergalactic voids. This project will use new and existing X-ray, ultraviolet, and optical images and spectra from space-based telescopes to understand how dust survives expulsion from galaxies. The successful applicant will be expected to measure the properties of dust in galactic winds, interpret those measurements using physical principles and basic statistics, and publish their findings. Project #2 - This project will use new and existing high-resolution X-ray spectroscopic data from the recently launched XRISM observatory, supplemented by X-ray imaging from Chandra and XMM-Newton, to derive gas velocities in merging galaxy clusters, in order to understand the geometry and power budget of these most energetic collisions in the Universe. Project #3 - You will be joining an active and collaborative research team at the forefront of theoretical and computational astrophysics. Our group specializes in modeling neutron stars and pulsars using multiwavelength observational data, primarily from Fermi and NICER, paired with advanced simulations and inference frameworks. We foster a dynamic environment where postbacs, graduate students, postdocs, and senior scientists work together on cutting-edge problems in relativistic astrophysics. In this role, you will contribute to efforts exploring the extreme physics of neutron stars and pulsars, leveraging observational data alongside state-of-the-art computational tools, including relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), particle-in-cell (PIC), and radiation transport codes, as well as statistical frameworks such as Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) and machine learning for efficient parameter estimation and model emulation. Projects include modeling pulsar particle acceleration and inferring neutron star parameters from observational data. Project #4 - Exoplanet spectroscopy modeling in support of the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO), and development of the open-access exoplanet software database called the Exoplanet Modeling & Analysis Center (EMAC). The selected candidate will work with members of both the HWO and EMAC teams. For the HWO work, the candidate tasks include running and analyzing simulated spectroscopic observations of potentially habitable exoplanets to determine detectability thresholds for various Astro biologically relevant molecules. For the EMAC work, the candidate will seek out and recruit new exoplanet-related software to the repository. They will also perform curation tasks improving the metadata of information already on EMAC as well as making code modifications to the Django-based service. Project #5 - The Sellers Exoplanet Environments Collaboration (SEEC) connects multi-disciplinary researchers from the Planetary, Earth, Astrophysics, and Heliophysics science divisions at NASA GSFC to study exoplanet atmospheres and climates. Using a wide range of scientific and technical resources, SEEC scientists inform current NASA exoplanet observations and prepare for future missions. SEEC is posting a general call for candidates interested in supporting a project to be determined in one of two areas: observational, theory-centered or experiment-centered. Project #6 - Superconducting cryogenic detectors are enabling transformative science that will address fundamental questions about our Universe. This project supports development of next-generation transition-edge sensor (TES) bolometers, kinetic inductance detectors (KIDs), and on-chip spectrometers for cosmic microwave background (CMB), line intensity mapping (LIM), and a broad range of astrophysics observations. You will be joining an active, collaborative group responsible for developing and testing on-chip spectrometers for the balloon-borne Experiment for Cryogenic Large-Aperture Intensity Mapping (EXCLAIM), KID readout electronics for the Probe Far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA), and TES polarimeters for CMB observations from the ground (with the Cosmology Large Angular Scale Surveyor, CLASS) and space (LiteBIRD, CMB Probe). The successful candidate will be responsible for operating cryogenic testbeds, carrying out tests of detectors with and without optical signals, and analyzing the data from the tests.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in astronomy, physics, computer science, mathematics, chemistry, or a related science, or engineering discipline.
Individuals who have already earned a master’s degree may apply for Project #3 only.
Strong computational skills are essential.
Experience with basic computer programming (especially in python), basic statistics, and some background in physical science is preferred.
Experience with basic computer programming, UNIX, basic statistics, and some background in physical science is preferred.
While experience with lower-level programming languages such as Fortran or C is a plus, it is not required, and candidates with proficiency in other languages (e.g., Python) are also encouraged to apply.
Programming experience (especially Python) is a plus for the observational and theory-centered project.
Instrumentation experience is a plus for the experiment-centered projects.

Nice To Haves

Soon or recent graduates with a bachelor’s degree in astronomy, physics, computer science, mathematics, chemistry, or a related science, or engineering discipline.
Individuals who have already earned a master’s degree may apply for Project #3 only.
Applicants who are considering applying to a graduate program in the near future, and who wish to expand their research experience in the interim.

Responsibilities

Measure the properties of dust in galactic winds, interpret those measurements using physical principles and basic statistics, and publish their findings.
Derive gas velocities in merging galaxy clusters, in order to understand the geometry and power budget of these most energetic collisions in the Universe.
Contribute to efforts exploring the extreme physics of neutron stars and pulsars, leveraging observational data alongside state-of-the-art computational tools, including relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), particle-in-cell (PIC), and radiation transport codes, as well as statistical frameworks such as Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) and machine learning for efficient parameter estimation and model emulation.
Run and analyze simulated spectroscopic observations of potentially habitable exoplanets to determine detectability thresholds for various Astro biologically relevant molecules.
Seek out and recruit new exoplanet-related software to the repository.
Perform curation tasks improving the metadata of information already on EMAC as well as making code modifications to the Django-based service.
Support a project to be determined in one of two areas: observational, theory-centered or experiment-centered.
Operate cryogenic testbeds, carry out tests of detectors with and without optical signals, and analyze the data from the tests.