ORAU
Direct Imaging of Circumstellar Disks & Exoplanets
ORAU, Pasadena, California, United States, 91122
Direct Imaging of Circumstellar Disks & Exoplanets
1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants Organization
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Reference Code
0149-NPP-MAR26-JPL-Astrophys How To Apply
All applications must be submitted in Zintellect. For application instructions and requirements, visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website. A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes: Research proposal Three letters of recommendation Official doctoral transcript documents Application Deadline
3/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone 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 fellowships are 1-3 years. They are competitive and designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology. Circumstellar disks are an integral component of planetary systems. They provide the raw material and host environment for planet formation, and persist into mature planetary systems as debris from ongoing collisions of remnant planetesimals. Their internal structure can show the dynamic imprint of any planets within. We are conducting observational research on circumstellar disks with the goals of imaging new systems; understanding their structure, dust properties, and evolution via multi‑wavelength observations; and searching for associated planets. Recent imaging data from the Hubble Space Telescope, James Webb Space Telescope, and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array, combined with infrared spectral energy distributions from the Spitzer Space Telescope and Herschel Space Observatory, are compared with numerical models to derive disk properties. Supporting data is obtained with large ground‑based telescopes such as Keck and Palomar. Related research includes preparatory work for disk imaging with the coronagraph instrument on the Roman Space Telescope, scheduled for launch by spring 2027. Working with the Roman Coronagraph Community Participation team, we are modeling the likely size and brightness of never‑before‑imaged debris disks around bright stars. The goal of this work is to support target selection for community surveys of warm debris disks and exozodical dust with the Roman Coronagraph, followed by development of observing sequences for execution during the first few years of the mission. Additional related research is being conducted on performance goals and technology issues for the future Habitable Worlds Observatory, and updates & improvements to the website https://circumstellardisks.org. JPL has a dynamic environment for exoplanet research with NASA's Exoplanet Exploration Program Office, JPL's Exoplanet Discovery and Science research group, the Roman Coronagraph Instrument team, access to the Palomar 5 m telescope, and collaborations with local exoplanet researchers at the Caltech Astronomy Department and the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute. Candidates with interests in protoplanetary and debris disks, exoplanet direct imaging, or high‑contrast observation techniques are encouraged to apply. Location
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California Field of Science
Astrophysics Advisors
Karl R. Stapelfeldt karl.r.stapelfeldt@jpl.nasa.gov 818.354.9608 Eligibility
Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control. 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 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I‑485 or I‑589 forms in pending status Qualifications
Doctoral Degree in an appropriate field related to astrophysics or a closely related discipline Strong research proposal relevant to the study of circumstellar disks and exoplanet imaging Demonstrated experience with multi‑wavelength data analysis, observational astronomy, or high‑contrast imaging techniques Three letters of recommendation Questions about this opportunity?
Please email npp@orau.org
#J-18808-Ljbffr
1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants Organization
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Reference Code
0149-NPP-MAR26-JPL-Astrophys How To Apply
All applications must be submitted in Zintellect. For application instructions and requirements, visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website. A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes: Research proposal Three letters of recommendation Official doctoral transcript documents Application Deadline
3/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone 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 fellowships are 1-3 years. They are competitive and designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology. Circumstellar disks are an integral component of planetary systems. They provide the raw material and host environment for planet formation, and persist into mature planetary systems as debris from ongoing collisions of remnant planetesimals. Their internal structure can show the dynamic imprint of any planets within. We are conducting observational research on circumstellar disks with the goals of imaging new systems; understanding their structure, dust properties, and evolution via multi‑wavelength observations; and searching for associated planets. Recent imaging data from the Hubble Space Telescope, James Webb Space Telescope, and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array, combined with infrared spectral energy distributions from the Spitzer Space Telescope and Herschel Space Observatory, are compared with numerical models to derive disk properties. Supporting data is obtained with large ground‑based telescopes such as Keck and Palomar. Related research includes preparatory work for disk imaging with the coronagraph instrument on the Roman Space Telescope, scheduled for launch by spring 2027. Working with the Roman Coronagraph Community Participation team, we are modeling the likely size and brightness of never‑before‑imaged debris disks around bright stars. The goal of this work is to support target selection for community surveys of warm debris disks and exozodical dust with the Roman Coronagraph, followed by development of observing sequences for execution during the first few years of the mission. Additional related research is being conducted on performance goals and technology issues for the future Habitable Worlds Observatory, and updates & improvements to the website https://circumstellardisks.org. JPL has a dynamic environment for exoplanet research with NASA's Exoplanet Exploration Program Office, JPL's Exoplanet Discovery and Science research group, the Roman Coronagraph Instrument team, access to the Palomar 5 m telescope, and collaborations with local exoplanet researchers at the Caltech Astronomy Department and the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute. Candidates with interests in protoplanetary and debris disks, exoplanet direct imaging, or high‑contrast observation techniques are encouraged to apply. Location
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California Field of Science
Astrophysics Advisors
Karl R. Stapelfeldt karl.r.stapelfeldt@jpl.nasa.gov 818.354.9608 Eligibility
Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control. 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 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I‑485 or I‑589 forms in pending status Qualifications
Doctoral Degree in an appropriate field related to astrophysics or a closely related discipline Strong research proposal relevant to the study of circumstellar disks and exoplanet imaging Demonstrated experience with multi‑wavelength data analysis, observational astronomy, or high‑contrast imaging techniques Three letters of recommendation Questions about this opportunity?
Please email npp@orau.org
#J-18808-Ljbffr