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Nasa Postdoctoral Program Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Nasa Postdoctoral Program information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$24.3K

$57.4K

$81.2K

How much do nasa postdoctoral program jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for nasa postdoctoral program in Raleigh, NC is $57,374.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,600.00 and $64,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of projects do participants in the NASA Postdoctoral Program typically work on, and how much autonomy do they have in shaping their research?

Participants in the NASA Postdoctoral Program usually engage in cutting-edge research aligned with NASA’s strategic goals, often spanning fields such as astrophysics, planetary science, Earth science, and engineering. While each postdoc is matched with a NASA mentor and joins an established team, there is significant autonomy to propose and develop independent research projects within their area of interest. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams is common, and postdocs are encouraged to take initiative, contribute fresh ideas, and even lead projects, which can be a major advantage for career growth in academia or industry.

What is the NASA Postdoctoral Program?

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) provides early-career scientists and engineers the opportunity to conduct research in collaboration with NASA scientists at NASA centers and institutes. Fellows work on projects that contribute to NASA's mission in science, aeronautics, and space technology. The program is highly competitive and offers unique resources, mentorship, and exposure to cutting-edge research. Appointments are typically for one to three years and include a stipend and other benefits. The NPP is open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals with a doctoral degree.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the NASA Postdoctoral Program, and why are they important?

To thrive in the NASA Postdoctoral Program, candidates generally need a Ph.D. in a relevant scientific or engineering field, strong research skills, and a record of scholarly achievement. Familiarity with specialized research tools, data analysis software, and sometimes experience with NASA mission systems or laboratory instrumentation is often required. Critical thinking, effective communication, and the ability to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams are standout soft skills. These competencies enable postdocs to contribute impactful research aligned with NASA's missions and advance their scientific careers.

What is the difference between Nasa Postdoctoral Program vs Nasa Research Fellow?

FeatureNasa Postdoctoral ProgramNasa Research Fellow
CredentialsPhD in relevant fieldPhD in relevant field
Work EnvironmentResearch at NASA facilities or partner institutionsResearch at NASA centers or partner institutions
Employer & IndustryNASA, aerospace, space scienceNASA, space science, research institutions
PurposePostdoctoral research and trainingResearch fellowship for early-career scientists

The Nasa Postdoctoral Program and Nasa Research Fellow are both research-focused roles for early-career scientists in space science and aerospace. The main difference lies in their structure: the Postdoctoral Program offers structured research training at NASA facilities, while the Research Fellow is a fellowship providing independent research opportunities. Both require a PhD and involve work within NASA or affiliated institutions, but the Postdoctoral Program emphasizes training and mentorship, whereas the Research Fellow emphasizes independent research.

What are popular job titles related to Nasa Postdoctoral Program jobs in Raleigh, NC? For Nasa Postdoctoral Program jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Postdoctoral Research Associate

University System of New Hampshire

Durham, NC • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


University System Of New Hampshire rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

32nd of 537 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Summary
Operating Title Postdoctoral Research Associate Long Classification Title POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH/TEACHING Campus Location Durham Department UNH CEPS Civil and Environmental Engineering Summary of Position
The postdoctoral associate/research scientist will work on a newly funded $3 million National Science Foundation Future Manufacturing project in developing a sustainability framework for manufacturing on the lunar surface. The candidate will apply methods, such as life cycle assessment, participatory modeling, multi-criteria optimization, and scenario analysis in understanding the sustainability of various in-space manufacturing techniques and development trajectories. The candidate will be co-advised by Drs. Weiwei Mo and Brad Kinsey, and work closely with research collaborators from University of New Hampshire, Purdue University, Baylor University, NASA, Astroport, and other relevant entities in developing the framework and conducting assessments. Recent advancements in the space industry have brought humanity closer than ever to exploring potential ways to utilize space resources and protect the Earth's environment. With the emerging interests and technological advancements in in-space manufacturing (ISM), it is of utmost importance to conceptualize the fundamental principles of ISM sustainability and to guide its technological development through these principles to ensure that the pursuit of progress aligns with the goals of environmental stewardship and long-term viability. The long-term Earth and humanity benefits from ISM are beyond imagination, especially in face of the multitude of global pressing challenges related to climate change, resource depletion, environmental pollution, and population growth. As such, the overarching goal of this project is to enable a sustainable space industry that minimizes or reduces its impact on the Earth and space environments.
Successful candidates will place their major focus on achieving original first-authored publications in interdisciplinary academic journals. They will work effectively in a team environment and will value interdisciplinary collaborations. Post-doctoral fellows will have the opportunity to mentor graduate and/or undergraduate students.
Additional Job Information Posting Number PF0846FY24 Acceptable Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must have received, or be close to receiving, their PhD degree in an area of environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, aerospace engineering, or other related fields. In addition, the applicant should have a working knowledge in life cycle assessment, participatory modeling, and optimization.
Additional Preferred Qualifications Salary Information
Salary is complemented by a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, retirement, tuition, and paid time off.
Quick Link to Posting https://usnh-sb.peopleadmin.com/postings/59253 Percent Time Information (FTE) 1.00 Faculty Information If Renewable or Number of years, please specify Type of Position
Posting Details
Posting Date 08/08/2024 Open Until Filled Yes Closing Date Interested Internal Candidates Exist? Yes Appointment Type Post Doc If TERM position with benefits, indicate projected end date Departmental Information This position is responsible for the supervision of Does not supervise Special Requirements A background check will be required as a condition of employment. EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

Special Instructions to Applicants Institution Information
The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire's lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.
The UNH Diversity Resource Guide with information and programming available in the seacoast area, New Hampshire, and the region can be found here: https://www.unh.edu/hr/diversity-resource-guide

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