Advanced Mirror Technology Astrophysics Telescopes

Advanced Mirror Technology for Astrophysics Telescopes

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code
: 0013‑NPP‑MAR
26‑MSFC‑Tech Dev

Final date to receive applications
:
March 1, 2026, 6:00:59 PM (Eastern Time)

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 a NASA‑affiliated research institute. These one‑to‑three‑year fellowships are competitive and designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) leads and collaborates with other NASA Centers, universities, and industry partners to implement NASA Astrophysics missions from X‑ray to far‑infrared. Free‑form and aspheric optical surfaces are revolutionizing telescope design by enabling wide field imaging in compact packages, offering smaller volume, fewer optical components, and lower total mass. This opportunity focuses on developing precision fabrication and test technology for these surfaces.

• Develop processes and technologies to manufacture free‑form and aspheric optical surfaces for grazing incidence (X‑ray) and normal‑incidence ultraviolet, optical, and infrared (UVOIR) to far‑infrared (Far‑IR) telescopes using MSFC’s precision machining infrastructure.
• Develop processes and technologies to absolutely characterize the zero‑gravity shape of large‑aperture free‑form and aspheric optical surfaces.

Applicants must:

• Hold a Doctoral Degree.
• Be U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, foreign nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J‑1 visa status, or applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. with a valid EAD card and pending I‑485 or I‑589 forms.

Applications from citizens of designated countries are not accepted unless they are legal permanent residents of the United States. See https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). for details.

All applications must be submitted through Zintellect. A complete application includes a research proposal, three letters of recommendation, and official doctoral transcript documents. For detailed submission instructions, visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website.

Prospective applicants should contact Dr. H. Philip Stahl (h.philip.stahl) well in advance to align the proposal with the opportunity goals.

Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama

Technology Development