Astrophysics: Discovery and Characterization of Transiting Exoplanets

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0145-NPP-NOV23-GSFC-Astrophys

Application Deadline

11/1/2023 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

?Goddard manages a variety of NASA missions that are well-suited for transiting exoplanet science. These missions include the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), and the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (Roman). Transiting exoplanets found around nearby, bright stars with TESS are some of the best targets for detailed atmospheric characterization with state-of-the-art facilities like HST and JWST. HST provides ultraviolet to near-IR observations, while JWST extends from optical to mid-IR wavelengths. With their suite of on-board instruments, these observatories enable high-precision exoplanet transmission and emission spectroscopy. NASA's next flagship observatory, Roman, is currently being built and tested, with an anticipated launch by May 2027. Roman will perform large-scale surveys with a wide-field optical/IR camera, providing high-cadence light curves for hundreds of millions distant stars, enabling the study of transiting planets across our galaxy in environments like the galactic bulge that have yet to be explored.

We are seeking postdoctoral candidates with experience or interest in studying transiting exoplanets with data from space-based facilities like TESS, HST, JWST, and/or ground-based facilities, or with data simulations in preparation for Roman. Potential areas of research include:

(1) developing tools and techniques for both extraction of light curves and for searching light curves for transits;

(2) modeling scientific yields and developing methods for assessing the completeness of survey data and for making statistical inferences from survey data;

(3) developing plans and techniques for follow-up observations of discovered exoplanets to measure masses and/or atmospheric properties;

(4) generating models of the atmospheres of discovered exoplanets and performing retrievals to aid the interpretation of atmospheric observations;

(5) performing simulations of transiting exoplanets with Roman and developing light curve detrending and transit search algorithms.

For each of these areas, we anticipate opportunities to work with current data and to obtain new observations of transiting exoplanets with ground-based and/or space-based facilities.

Interested applicants should reach out to at least one of the advisors listed here in advance of the application deadline to express interest and discuss potential research projects.

Location:
Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland

Field of Science:Astrophysics

Advisors:
Patricia T. Boyd
patricia.t.boyd@nasa.gov
(301) 204-6503

Elisa Quintana
elisa.quintana@nasa.gov
301.286.0851

Knicole D. Colon
knicole.colon@nasa.gov
301.286.4560

Avi Mandell
Avi.Mandell@nasa.gov
301-286-6293

Mike McElwain
Michael.W.McElwain@nasa.gov
301-286-6094

Joshua Schlieder
joshua.e.schlieder@nasa.gov
301 286 2584

Ravi Kumar Kopparapu
ravikumar.kopparapu@nasa.gov
301-286-1548

Allison Youngblood
allison.a.youngblood@nasa.gov
301-286-6318

Thomas Barclay
thomas.barclay@nasa.gov
301.286.5079

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; and,
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

Eligibility Requirements

Degree: Doctoral Degree.

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