Astrophysics: Far-Infrared, Submillimeter, and Millimeter-wave Instruments Astronomy

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

0097-NPP-NOV
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 includes:

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

11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

This work focuses on ultrasensitive detector design, fabrication, characterization, and integration into instruments for ground-based, airborne, and space-based astrophysical investigations. Current research primarily involves the development of large-format arrays of sensitive bolometers using superconducting transition edge sensors. We also investigate single-pixel optimization, including operation at very low powers for ultrasensitive NEP~10-19 W/Hz0.5, novel noise suppression methods, and polarization sensitivity. Recent efforts include the development of hot electron bolometers, microwave kinetic inductance detectors, and microstrip spectrometers.

As a key portion of our detector development activities, our group is heavily involved in deploying instruments for suborbital observations. Instruments under development include the balloon-borne projects PIPER (Primordial Inflation Polarization Explorer), a 0.5–2 mm wavelength camera for CMB polarimetry, and EXCLAIM (EXperiment for Cryogenic Large-Aperture Intensity Mapping), a submillimeter intensity mapping experiment operating from 0.5–0.7 mm. We also build instruments based on these detectors for ground-based observatories, including the GISMO-2 dual-band (1.15 and 2 mm wavelength) camera for the 30 m Millimeter Radio Telescope.

Technology development for large-format bolometer arrays and MKID-based instruments for mid- and far-infrared imaging and spectroscopy is being intensively pursued and offers unique opportunities for postdoctoral research.

Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland

Astrophysics

• Thomas M. Essinger-Hileman – thomas.m.essinger-hileman –
• Jason Glenn – jason.glenn –
• Alan J. Kogut – Alan.
  
  J.Kogut –
• Erin
  
  C. Smith – erin.c.smith –
• Eric Switzer – Eric.
  
  R.Switzer –
• Karwan Rostem – karwan.rostem –

Applications are open to:

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

Applications from citizens of 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)..

• Doctoral Degree