Interstellar Medium and Star Formation Herschel and Beyond

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers one‑to‑three‑year fellowships that allow scholars to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or a NASA‑affiliated research institute. The fellowship advances NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.

Observational programs using the Herschel Space Observatory and ground‑based facilities will investigate the interstellar medium and star formation. Projects include:

• Herschel Guaranteed Time and Open Time Key Projects on tracers ranging from ionized carbon (C II) to molecular oxygen (O₂).
• Measurements of polarized emission and absorption from dust grains to understand the role of magnetic fields in the ISM structure and its relation to star formation.
• Analysis of data from sub‑orbital balloon missions and use of the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO) for spectral line observations.

Paul

F. Goldsmith (paul.f.goldsmitha.gov, (818) 393‑0518)

• Doctoral degree in a related field.
• U.S. Citizens, U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents, or eligible foreign nationals (J‑1 visa, LPR, asylee, refugee with a valid EAD card and pending I‑485 or I‑589).