What are the responsibilities and job description for the Astrophysics: Theoretical Gamma-Ray Astrophysics position at ORAU?
Organization
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Reference Code
0081-NPP-NOV26-GSFC-Astrophys
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:
11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description
About the NASA Postdoctoral Program
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.
Description:
Theoretical gamma-ray astrophysics research conducted in the Laboratory for High-Energy Astrophysics concerns astrophysical processes that produce emission at gamma-ray energies. This research attempts to answer fundamental questions such as the origin, structure, and evolution of the Universe; the nature of compact objects; the origin of the cosmic rays; and the structure and evolution of the galaxy. Research is performed on gamma-ray line and continuum production mechanisms, on physical processes in strong magnetic fields, on the physics of electron-positron pair plasmas, and on radiation transfer in the gamma-ray regime. These physical processes are applied to models of compact sources, including active galactic nuclei, the galactic center, galactic gamma-ray sources, pulsars, and gamma-ray bursters. They are also applied to diffuse sources of gamma-rays, including the galaxy and young supernova remnants. Gamma-ray tests for the nature of dark matter are also proposed. Applicants are encouraged to participate in the above research or to initiate related projects. Gamma-ray tests of special relativity, as well as tests of proposed quantum gravity effects on high energy gamma-ray processes are also explored.
Location:
Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
Field of Science:Astrophysics
Advisors:
Tonia Venters
tonia.m.venters@nasa.gov
301-614-5546
Demosthenes Kazanas
Demos.Kazanas-1@nasa.gov
301-286-7680
Zaven Arzoumanian
zaven.arzoumanian-1@nasa.gov
(301) 286-2547
Tyler M. Parsotan
tyler.parsotan@nasa.gov
301-286-4678
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:
Point of Contact
Mikeala
Eligibility Requirements
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Reference Code
0081-NPP-NOV26-GSFC-Astrophys
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
11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description
About the NASA Postdoctoral Program
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.
Description:
Theoretical gamma-ray astrophysics research conducted in the Laboratory for High-Energy Astrophysics concerns astrophysical processes that produce emission at gamma-ray energies. This research attempts to answer fundamental questions such as the origin, structure, and evolution of the Universe; the nature of compact objects; the origin of the cosmic rays; and the structure and evolution of the galaxy. Research is performed on gamma-ray line and continuum production mechanisms, on physical processes in strong magnetic fields, on the physics of electron-positron pair plasmas, and on radiation transfer in the gamma-ray regime. These physical processes are applied to models of compact sources, including active galactic nuclei, the galactic center, galactic gamma-ray sources, pulsars, and gamma-ray bursters. They are also applied to diffuse sources of gamma-rays, including the galaxy and young supernova remnants. Gamma-ray tests for the nature of dark matter are also proposed. Applicants are encouraged to participate in the above research or to initiate related projects. Gamma-ray tests of special relativity, as well as tests of proposed quantum gravity effects on high energy gamma-ray processes are also explored.
Location:
Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
Field of Science:Astrophysics
Advisors:
Tonia Venters
tonia.m.venters@nasa.gov
301-614-5546
Demosthenes Kazanas
Demos.Kazanas-1@nasa.gov
301-286-7680
Zaven Arzoumanian
zaven.arzoumanian-1@nasa.gov
(301) 286-2547
Tyler M. Parsotan
tyler.parsotan@nasa.gov
301-286-4678
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
Point of Contact
Mikeala
Eligibility Requirements
- Degree: Doctoral Degree.