Space Science: Protoplanetary Disk Chemistry

Space Science:
Protoplanetary Disk Chemistry

Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code: 0052-NPP-MAR
26-ARC-Astrophys

How to Apply: 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

Final date to receive applications: 3/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description: As part of an ongoing effort at NASA's Ames Research Center, protoplanetary disk thermo-chemical and dynamical models are being used to understand the evolution of disks to form planets, predict line emission and interpret disk observations. One of the main goals is to determine the role of aromatic chemistry and photolysis in disk evolution, the chemical inventory available for planet formation, and influencing disk lifetimes and planet formation timescales.

The principal task is to develop chemo-dynamical models by expanding on existing work to incorporate results from new, targeted laboratory experiments and quantum chemical theory, and to construct a new chemical network to study organics in disks. Interpreting observational data from ground and space-based facilities using the developed models will also be a key aspect of the work.

Location: Ames Research Center, Moffet Field, California

Field of Science: Astrophysics

Advisors: Uma Gorti, uma.gorti-1,

Eligibility:

• U.S. Citizens
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status
• 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

Eligibility Requirements: Degree:
Doctoral Degree.