ORAU
Solar System Exploration: Planetary Physics, Comets, and Solar Wind
ORAU, Greenbelt, Maryland, us, 20771
Solar System Exploration: Planetary Physics, Comets, and Solar Wind
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Solar System Exploration: Planetary Physics, Comets, and Solar Wind
role at
ORAU
1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Organization
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Reference Code
0064-NPP-MAR26-GSFC-PlanetSci
How To Apply
All applications must be submitted in Zintellect. Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org)
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 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.
Research includes ongoing studies of Io and Io Torus, particularly time-variable phenomena. These programs also focus on aurorae on gas giants. Searches are underway for planetary bodies orbiting Pluto. Cometary research emphasizes the interaction of bright comets (such as Halley) with the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field, interpreting ion structures in the comet seen in wide-angle images of the tail, and narrow-field images of the ion coma and spectra. We are also interested in what solar‑wind/IMF conditions initiate the formation of transient structures in the cometary tails, where in the comet the seat of the initial disturbance resides (e.g., sunward comma, inner ion tail), and what specific instability mechanism is involved. Structures important to probe in this manner are disconnection events, folding ion tail rays, and propagating helical waves.
Location
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland
Field of Science
Planetary Science
Advisors
Edward Sittler (Edward.C.Sittler@nasa.gov; 301-286-9215)
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 is currently open to:
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
Questions about this opportunity?
Please email npp@orau.org
Point of Contact
Mikeala
Eligibility Requirements
Degree: Doctoral Degree.
Seniority level
Internship
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Management and Manufacturing
Industries: Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Solar System Exploration: Planetary Physics, Comets, and Solar Wind
role at
ORAU
1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Organization
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Reference Code
0064-NPP-MAR26-GSFC-PlanetSci
How To Apply
All applications must be submitted in Zintellect. Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org)
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 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.
Research includes ongoing studies of Io and Io Torus, particularly time-variable phenomena. These programs also focus on aurorae on gas giants. Searches are underway for planetary bodies orbiting Pluto. Cometary research emphasizes the interaction of bright comets (such as Halley) with the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field, interpreting ion structures in the comet seen in wide-angle images of the tail, and narrow-field images of the ion coma and spectra. We are also interested in what solar‑wind/IMF conditions initiate the formation of transient structures in the cometary tails, where in the comet the seat of the initial disturbance resides (e.g., sunward comma, inner ion tail), and what specific instability mechanism is involved. Structures important to probe in this manner are disconnection events, folding ion tail rays, and propagating helical waves.
Location
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland
Field of Science
Planetary Science
Advisors
Edward Sittler (Edward.C.Sittler@nasa.gov; 301-286-9215)
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 is currently open to:
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
Questions about this opportunity?
Please email npp@orau.org
Point of Contact
Mikeala
Eligibility Requirements
Degree: Doctoral Degree.
Seniority level
Internship
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Management and Manufacturing
Industries: Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr