Scientist III

JPL/NASA • Pasadena, CA

7d • $144,664 - $180,752 • Onsite

About The Position

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), California Institute of Technology, invites applications for a Staff Scientist position in cosmology. The role will contribute to the analysis and interpretation of next-generation dark sector surveys, as JPL expands its leadership in NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and ESA’s Euclid. The work addresses the shift from precision measurement toward modeling and cosmological interpretation, including the anticipated Euclid Data Release 1 covering 1,900 square degrees and the launch of Roman.

The successful candidate will contribute to cosmological simulations, modeling, and interpretation of cosmological data, and will help connect measurements with theoretical insight. They will participate in JPL’s dark sector community, the JPL-led OpenUniverse cosmological simulations project, and the Euclid and Roman science teams. The role also involves collaborating on future mission concepts and strategies for the post-Roman landscape and the 2030 Decadal Survey, while developing robust models that incorporate astrophysical, instrumental, and statistical systematics.

JPL is located in Pasadena, California, on a 177-acre campus in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. The laboratory describes its research environment as collaborative and supportive of professional and personal development. The position’s typical full-time equivalent annual hiring range in Pasadena is $144,664–$180,752. Applications should include a cover letter describing the applicant’s vision for their role at JPL in dark energy cosmology and dark matter, a CV with bibliography, a research experience and objectives statement of no more than three pages, and contact information for at least three professional references.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Astrophysics or a related discipline and at least 2 years of experience; or a master’s degree in a related discipline and at least 4 years of related experience; or a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and at least 6 years of related experience.
• Deep technical foundation in some combination of cosmological simulations, modeling, and cosmological data interpretation.
• Proven expertise in weak lensing and/or galaxy clustering as primary probes for investigating dark matter and dark energy.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to thrive in a collaborative team environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proactive commitment to fostering diverse ideas and backgrounds in the workplace.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in Astrophysics or a related discipline with at least 5 years of experience.
• Professional reputation as a productive researcher, with peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and/or international conferences.
• Record of successfully proposing for research funds as Principal Investigator.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and interpret next-generation dark sector survey data.
• Apply cosmological simulations, modeling, and interpretation to connect raw measurements with theoretical insight.
• Contribute to the JPL-led OpenUniverse cosmological simulations project and the Euclid and Roman science teams.
• Integrate astrophysical, instrumental, and statistical systematics into robust models.
• Collaborate on mission concepts and strategies for the post-Roman landscape and help influence the 2030 Decadal Survey.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans.
• Paid time off.
• Learning opportunities.
• Rideshare benefits.
• Childcare.
• Flexible schedule.
• Parental leave.
• Additional benefits and perks; benefits-eligible positions receive benefits effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

What This Job Offers

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