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Nasa Postdoctoral Program Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Postdoctoral Scholar Department:Arts and Sciences | Astronomy Post Doctoral Scholar will work with ... programs enabled by NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Galactic Bulge Time Domain Survey ...

$47K - $64K/yr

... a NASA funded hydroponics and aquaponics project with emphasis on Metabolomics research in the ... Help in the development of a new Plant Science / Smart Agriculture Program. * Development of HPTLC ...

We have more than 40 degree and certificate programs within the college and are continuing to grow ... World, and NASA, to name a few. The Opportunity : The University of Central Florida (UCF ...

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Nasa Postdoctoral Program information

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$59K

$83.5K

How much do nasa postdoctoral program jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for nasa postdoctoral program in the United States is $59,022.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,000.00 and $66,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 skills and qualifications are needed to thrive in the NASA Postdoctoral Program?

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 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 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.

More about Nasa Postdoctoral Program jobs

What cities are hiring for Nasa Postdoctoral Program jobs?

Cities with the most Nasa Postdoctoral Program job openings:

What states have the most Nasa Postdoctoral Program jobs?

States with the most job openings for Nasa Postdoctoral Program jobs include:

Infographic showing various Nasa Postdoctoral Program job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,022 per year, or $28.4 per hour.

Postdoc: Millimeter-Wave Radar Systems, Remote Sensing, and Machine Learning

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Campus, IL • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That's our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers-literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission-your opportunity-is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you're driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you're ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

JPL is unique among NASA Centers in that its staff are Caltech employees, yet can access NASA technical resources. Cross-discipline teamwork is standard here: colleagues across JPL's scienceandengineering organizationsandon Caltech's academic campus often work together. Learning to speakandunderstandother disciplines' languages is a doorway to the creativity needed to do what has not been done before. JPL staff are encouraged to create mission concepts that address humanity's core questions through a combination of scienceandtechnology. They are supported in developing ideas into proposalsandhardware,andin communicating funded missions' results to the scientific communityandthe broader public. JPL seeks to employ scientistsandengineers who are passionate about lifelong learningandexcited to both contribute toandlead team efforts. We emphasize the importance of partnering across discipline boundariesandcreating a friendly, constructive work environment to overcome space exploration's challenges. The Postdoctoral scholars at JPL benefit from an informal mentoring network, an annual conference showcasing their results, a dedicated seminar series, exposure to diverse career paths,andsocial connections across the JPLandCaltech community for advice on housing, childcare,andother aspects of living in southern California.

JPL's RF Remote Sensing Systems and Technology Section is seeking a postdoc who will serve as a key bridge between radar hardware development and science applications, conducting research that advances end-to-end radar system performance and enables innovative approaches for cloud and precipitation observations. The position offers opportunities to develop and apply machine learning techniques to radar observations, improve calibration and retrieval methodologies, analyze large atmospheric datasets, and publish high-impact scientific results that advance the state of the art in microwave remote sensing.

Research Responsibilities

  • Conduct independent research on millimeter-wave radar systems for atmospheric remote sensing.

  • Develop and evaluate calibration techniques, retrieval algorithms, and advanced data analysis methods for cloud and precipitation observations.

  • Apply machine learning and statistical approaches to radar measurements and geophysical retrievals.

  • Support radar system characterization, testing, and performance evaluation.

  • Analyze large observational datasets and develop software tools for scientific data processing.

  • Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at national and international conferences.

  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams spanning radar hardware development, remote sensing science, and data analytics.

Required Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Atmospheric Science, Remote Sensing, Physics, Computer Science, Earth Science, or a closely related field.

  • Experience in radar remote sensing, RF systems, microwave instrumentation, or related experimental research.

  • Strong background in scientific programming using Python, MATLAB, or similar programming languages.

  • Experience analyzing large scientific datasets using statistical or computational methods.

  • Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications and excellent written and oral communication skills.

The appointee will carry out research in collaboration withJPL advisor,resulting in publications in the open literature.

Applicants may be subject to additional program requirementsby NASA. Postdoc positions are awarded for a minimum of one-year periodandmay be renewed up to a maximum of four years. Candidates should submit the following to this site: CV, representative publications, contact information for three references,anda cover letter stating their research accomplishmentsandinterests.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee's start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$83,820 - $83,820

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

EEO is the Law.

EEO is the Law Supplement

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.