ORAU
Far-Infrared Detectors for Space-Based Low-Background Astronomy
ORAU, Greenbelt, Maryland, us, 20771
Far-Infrared Detectors for Space-Based Low-Background Astronomy
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Reference Code: 0245-NPP-MAR26-GSFC-Astrophys
Application Deadline: 3/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone
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.
The third‑generation of space‑based far‑infrared astronomical telescopes require ultra‑low‑noise detectors for background‑limited observations with cooled optics. Detector arrays with tens of thousands of pixels spanning the 20–600 µm waveband and high optical coupling efficiency are needed. No technology yet meets these requirements; our focused development program in absorber‑coupled transition‑edge sensor (TES) bolometers and Kinetic Inductance Detectors (KIDs) aims to fill this gap. The successful candidate will contribute to a multi‑disciplinary research effort encompassing focal‑plane instrumentation, frequency‑selective electromagnetic coupling structures, superconducting detectors, and phonon transport at low temperatures. Responsibilities include reducing dark noise, increasing detector coupling efficiency, expanding detection bandwidth, and improving array multiplexing.
We also pursue increased energy‑resolution of Near‑IR KIDs for ultra‑low‑background observations of exoplanet atmospheres. KIDs are immune to particle radiation and thermal drift in a spacecraft environment.
Location: Goddard Space Flight Center, Goddard, Maryland
Field of Science: Astrophysics
Senior Advisor:
Karwan Rostem – karwan.rostem@nasa.gov (301) 286‑0308
Eligibility:
U.S. Citizens;
U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J‑1 visa status; and
Applicants who are LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. with a valid EAD card and I‑485 or I‑589 form pending.
Eligibility Requirements:
Doctoral Degree.
Questions? Please email npp@orau.org
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Reference Code: 0245-NPP-MAR26-GSFC-Astrophys
Application Deadline: 3/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone
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.
The third‑generation of space‑based far‑infrared astronomical telescopes require ultra‑low‑noise detectors for background‑limited observations with cooled optics. Detector arrays with tens of thousands of pixels spanning the 20–600 µm waveband and high optical coupling efficiency are needed. No technology yet meets these requirements; our focused development program in absorber‑coupled transition‑edge sensor (TES) bolometers and Kinetic Inductance Detectors (KIDs) aims to fill this gap. The successful candidate will contribute to a multi‑disciplinary research effort encompassing focal‑plane instrumentation, frequency‑selective electromagnetic coupling structures, superconducting detectors, and phonon transport at low temperatures. Responsibilities include reducing dark noise, increasing detector coupling efficiency, expanding detection bandwidth, and improving array multiplexing.
We also pursue increased energy‑resolution of Near‑IR KIDs for ultra‑low‑background observations of exoplanet atmospheres. KIDs are immune to particle radiation and thermal drift in a spacecraft environment.
Location: Goddard Space Flight Center, Goddard, Maryland
Field of Science: Astrophysics
Senior Advisor:
Karwan Rostem – karwan.rostem@nasa.gov (301) 286‑0308
Eligibility:
U.S. Citizens;
U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J‑1 visa status; and
Applicants who are LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. with a valid EAD card and I‑485 or I‑589 form pending.
Eligibility Requirements:
Doctoral Degree.
Questions? Please email npp@orau.org
#J-18808-Ljbffr