Astrophysics: Direct Exoplanet and Disk Imaging JWST

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

0235-NPP-MAR
26-GSFC-Astrophys

All applications must be submitted in Zintellect. Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements:

How to Apply

| NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org). A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes:

• Research proposal
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official doctoral transcript documents

3/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA-affiliated research institute. These one- to three-year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.

The direct detection of exoplanets and circumstellar disks using high contrast imaging requires the suppression of star light using novel hardware, observations, and data processing. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is NASA‘s newest astrophysics Flagship mission and carries multiple instruments capable of new breakthroughs in direct imaging. The JWST Project Office is at NASA‘s Goddard Space Flight Center, thereby offering unique opportunities for collaboration with experts in JWST instruments, operations, and observations.

We seek a postdoctoral candidate with experience and/or interest in using JWST to study exoplanets and circumstellar disks via direct imaging. We anticipate the candidate will work on one or more projects to:

• Develop techniques for JWST direct imaging data analyses
• Apply these techniques to data from approved or archival JWST General Observer (GO) programs, Guaranteed Time Observing (GTO) programs, and/or Early Release Science (ERS) observations
• Analyze the direct imaging results to discover and characterize wide-orbit exoplanets, place new constraints on this population, and study circumstellar disk properties
• Pursue additional JWST direct imaging observations via the JWST GO program

We also anticipate opportunities to combine JWST direct imaging observations and analyses with data from other space and ground-based facilities.

Qualifications for this opportunity include a Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or a related discipline. Prior experience with high contrast imaging and post-processing techniques and interest in exoplanets and circumstellar disks are desirable.

Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland

Astrophysics

Joshua Schlieder
joshua.e.schlieder

Knicole

D. Colon
knicole.colon

Mike Mc Elwain
Michael.

W.Mc Elwain

Christopher Stark
christopher.c.stark

Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Eligibility is currently open to:

• U.S. Citizens;
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status; and,
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with
  1) a valid EAD card and
  2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status
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Questions

Please email npp

Point of Contact

Mikeala

Eligibility Requirements

Degree:
Doctoral Degree.