Postdoc: Roman Space Telescope Coronagraph Instrument

Job Details

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 Jet Propulsion Laboratory is unique among NASA Centers in that its staff are Caltech employees, yet can access NASA technical resources. Cross-discipline teamwork is standard here: colleagues across JPL's science and engineering organizations and on Caltech's academic campus often work together. Learning to speak and understand other disciplines' languages is a doorway to the creativity needed to do what has not been done before. JPL staff are encouraged to create mission concepts that address humanity's core questions through a combination of science and technology. They are supported in developing ideas into proposals and hardware, and in communicating funded missions' results to the scientific community and the broader public. JPL seeks to employ scientists and engineers who are passionate about lifelong learning and excited to both contribute to and lead team efforts. We emphasize the importance of partnering across discipline boundaries and creating a friendly, constructive work environment to overcome space exploration's challenges. The Postdoctoral scholars at JPL benefit from an informal mentoring network, an annual conference showcasing their results, a dedicated seminar series, exposure to diverse career paths, and social connections across the JPL and Caltech community for advice on housing, childcare, and other aspects of living in southern California.

 

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory invites applications for a postdoc interested in high-contrast imaging of circumstellar disks and/or exoplanets.

 

We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated candidates interested in circumstellar and/or exoplanet science case maturation and implementation for the Nancy Grace Roman Coronagraph Instrument. The mission will launch between October 2026 and May 2027 and will be the first visible-light instrument capable of achieving contrasts of 10^-8 or better at small working angles. More information about the mission is available at https://roman.gsfc.nasa.gov/science/roses.html

 

The successful candidate will join the Roman Coronagraph Instrument science team, which is responsible for collaboratively planning the instrument’s 2200hr observation phase. We seek researchers with an interest in planning, executing, and interpreting Roman Coronagraph observations such as (but not limited to): exozodi, debris disks, and/or giant planets.

 

Depending on qualifications and research interests, the appointee may also conduct complementary research such as (but not limited to) observations with other ground- or space-based facilities, or synergistic projects related to Habitable Worlds Observatory.

 

The scholar will be supervised by Dr. Vanessa Bailey and will be encouraged to collaborate with members of the Pasadena high-contrast science and instrumentation community. This community includes researchers in the JPL Science and Engineering Divisions, IPAC, and Caltech Astronomy and Planetary Science Departments. The scholar will be encouraged to publish results in the open literature.

JPL postdocs can apply for observing time on the Palomar 5-m telescope, whose instruments include optical and near-infrared imagers & spectrographs, and an adaptive optics system. JPL postdocs also have access to high-performance computing resources.

 

A start date in spring 2025 is ideal, but a later start date may be negotiable.

 

Required qualifications:

Applicants must have a PhD in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Planetary Science, or a closely related field by the start of the position.

Applicants are expected to have prior experience with high-contrast imaging science, whether theoretical or observational, and to be able to work well in a team.

 

Applicants are subject to additional program requirements by NASA. This position is considered a JPL Postdoctoral Program appointment. Postdoctoral Scholar positions are awarded for a minimum of one-year period and may be renewed up to a maximum of three years.

 

Candidates should submit the following to this site: a cover letter, CV, representative publications, contact information for three references, and a 3–4-page research statement (including references).

 

All materials should be received by Monday, January 20, 2025, for full consideration in the first round of review. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training. Hiring range for this job may be adjusted based on primary work location outside of Pasadena, California. This adjusted range will be provided to candidates by the Recruiter when applicable.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$82,180 - $82,180

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.