Exoplanet Habitability and Biosignatures 3D Climate Modeling and Observation Simulation

Exoplanet Habitability and Biosignatures with 3D Climate Modeling and Observation Simulation

Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code: 0020-NPP-MAR
26-GISS-Astrobio

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

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

How to Apply

| NASA Postdoctoral Program.

Required Materials:

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

Description:

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

Successful applicants should have background in physics, statistics, and experience analyzing observational and model datasets. Background in astronomy, planetary science, computer science, mathematical modeling, C or FORTRAN
95, Python or R is highly desirable.

The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) is slated to be a space telescope to measure reflected light from Earth‑size planets orbiting other stars to search for life outside our solar system. We require theoretical model investigations to constrain telescope design, target selection, and detectability of atmospheric or surface features for diverse planets around different stellar types.

Our group uses the ROCKE-3D model to understand planetary habitability, and simulated surface and atmospheric states may then be used as boundary conditions for telescope observation simulators.

Field of Science: Astrobiology

Advisors: Nancy Kiang (Nancy.

Y.Kiang, )

Eligibility Requirements:

• 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 a valid EAD card and I-485 or I-589 forms pending.
• Applicants must be a Doctoral Degree holder. Senior Fellows (5 years or more past Ph.D.) are not eligible.

Applications from citizens of Designated Countries will not be accepted unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States.

Questions? Please email npp.

Point of Contact: Mikeala