ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Nasa Postdoctoral Program Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

All JobsNasa Postdoctoral Program JobsNasa Postdoctoral Program Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Nasa Postdoctoral Program information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$25.8K

$61K

$86.3K

How much do nasa postdoctoral program jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for nasa postdoctoral program in Silver Spring, MD is $61,015.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,700.00 and $68,700.00 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 Silver Spring, MD? For Nasa Postdoctoral Program jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Nasa Postdoctoral Program jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for? The top searched job categories for Nasa Postdoctoral Program jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Nasa Postdoctoral Program jobs? Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Nasa Postdoctoral Program job openings:
Nasa Postdoctoral Program jobs near you
Infographic showing various Nasa Postdoctoral Program job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,015 per year, or $29.3 per hour.
Radiation Belt Theory & Modeling Researcher with Security Clearance

Radiation Belt Theory & Modeling Researcher with Security Clearance

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

$199/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Description Are you searching for compelling work in the theory and modeling of radiation and energetic particle dynamics in geospace? Are you passionate about applying cutting-edge space plasma physics research to outstanding challenges for national security? If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL! We are seeking a senior Space Plasma Physicist to join an existing numerical simulation and modeling team to conduct basic scientific research on radiation belts of Earth and other solar system planets, as well as leveraging these tools and understanding for multiple national security applications. This research position focuses on combined test-particle and global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of planetary radiation belts. The work will involve a mixture of fundamental science and applications spanning civil and national security space. The candidate will work in partnership with staff in the group with expertise in kinetic, test-particle and MHD simulations, plasma theory and data analysis. The successful candidate may be expected to publish original research in peer-reviewed journals and team with other staff to pursue external support for continued research and development for fundamental and applied simulation research as well as projects relating to past, ongoing, and future missions. The Solar & Space Physics Group (SRP) of the Space Exploration Sector has a broad and active research program that spans data analysis, theory, and modeling of planetary magnetospheres, heliospheric science, and solar physics, as well as applications to space weather and national security. The group also has significant leadership and development programs supporting space flight instrumentation and mission formulation and operations. Current mission participation includes IMAP, Parker Solar Probe, Solar Orbiter, Europa Clipper, New Horizons, EZIE, Juno, BepiColombo, and more. In addition, the group leads NASA's multi-institutional, cross-disciplinary Center for Geospace Storms (CGS). As a Radiation Belts Theory & Modeling Researcher you will ... * Conduct original fundamental and applied research involving the development and adaptation of simulation codes to study space plasma systems of interest.
* Prepare, interpret, and present research results to team members, program managers, and sponsors.
* Author papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals, when appropriate.
* Prepare for, present at, and attend in scientific conferences, when appropriate.
* Develop innovative scientific research efforts and propose to competed solicitations, when appropriate.
Note: This job summary and above responsibilities are for the purpose of describing the position and its essential functions at time of hire and may change over time. Qualifications You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you have... * Completed a PhD in Physics or in a related field. * At least 5-years of demonstrated experience in high-end plasma simulations, including any time as a postdoc. * Demonstrated track record of strong communication and interpersonal skills; and * Have a record of publishing first-author scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals. * Are able to obtain TS/SCI level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship. You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you have... * in-depth knowledge of plasma physics, numerical methods and computational physics with applications to astrophysical and space environments, including planetary magnetospheres and stellar winds; and
* extensive experience with using the advanced computational facilities from U.S. government sponors (e.g., NASA, DOD, DOE, and/or NSF). About Us Why Work at APL? The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates. At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact . The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Minimum Rate $105,000 Annually Maximum Rate $290,000 Annually

Apply