Astrophysics Dusty Universe

NASA Postdoctoral Program

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.

Astrophysics of the Dusty Universe:
Nearly all astronomical wavelengths are affected in some way by dust. Dust can be a powerful diagnostic tool for understanding the lifecycle of gas and metals in galaxies, the thermodynamic balance of the interstellar medium, and the formation of ices, complex molecules, and planets. Dust also distorts our view of objects behind it and is a major challenge in the pursuit of a B‑mode signal from primordial gravitational waves in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB).

A deeper understanding of dust properties will improve cosmological analyses and aid future missions such as JWST, SPHEREx, Euclid, Roman, CMB‑S4 and PICO.

You will work on one or more of the following:

• Theoretical developments on dust thermodynamics, dynamics, optical properties, and statistical inference.
• Data analysis on dust lifecycle, dust composition in nearby galaxies, ice formation, Zodiacal dust, and dust–gas connections.
• Assessment of dust impacts on cosmological surveys and mitigation strategies for Euclid, Roman, CMB‑S4, and PICO.
• Mission development for future dust research instruments.

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.
• Citizenship: U.S. Citizens, U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J‑1 visa, or applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with a valid EAD card and pending I‑485 or I‑589 form.
• Eligible if you are a legal permanent resident of the United States.

• Research proposal
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official doctoral transcript
• Completed application form via the NASA Postdoctoral Program website

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

0294‑NPP‑MAR
26‑JPL‑Astrophys

Brandon Hensley
brandon.s.hensleya.gov
626‑524‑7959

Questions about this opportunity? Please email npp
.

Mikeala