Project #4 - Postbaccalaureate Positions in Astrophysics Science and Solar System Exploration Divisions

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center•Greenbelt, MD

7d•$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. Experience with basic computer programming (especially in python), basic statistics, and some background in physical science is preferred. The selected candidate will work with Dr. Edmund Hodges-Kluck and Dr. Erin Boettcher. 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. Experience with basic computer programming, UNIX, basic statistics, and some background in physical science is preferred. The selected candidate will work with Dr. Maxim Markevitch and Dr. Cicely Potter. 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. Strong computational skills are essential; 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. The selected candidate will be working with Dr. Konstantinos Kalapotharakos. 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. The selected candidate will work with Dr. Avi Mandell. Project #5 - [Coming Soon]

Requirements

Candidates should be 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 are ineligible.
Applicants who are considering applying to a graduate program in the near future, and who wish to expand their research experience in the interim to also apply.
Submit a cover letter describing personal background and interest in the applicants’ chosen project(s)
Curriculum Vitae
Unofficial transcript
Contact information for two references to each project of interest through the CRESST II Breezy application platform.

Nice To Haves

Experience with basic computer programming (especially in python)
Basic statistics
Some background in physical science
Experience with basic computer programming
UNIX
Strong computational skills
Experience with lower-level programming languages such as Fortran or C
Proficiency in other languages (e.g., Python)

Responsibilities

Measure the properties of dust in galactic winds
Interpret those measurements using physical principles and basic statistics
Publish findings
Derive gas velocities in merging galaxy clusters
Contribute to efforts exploring the extreme physics of neutron stars and pulsars
Leverage observational data alongside state-of-the-art computational tools
Running and analyzing 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