What are the responsibilities and job description for the 2027 NASA Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP) position at Space Telescope?
On behalf of the NASA Astrophysics Division, the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) announces the call for applications for postdoctoral fellowships under the NASA Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP) beginning in the fall of 2027.
The NHFP supports postdoctoral scientists performing independent research that contributes to NASA Astrophysics. The research may be theoretical, observational, and/or instrumental. If your application is successful and you accept our offer, you will become an NHFP Einstein, Hubble or Sagan fellow depending on the area of your research.
The NHFP is open to applicants of any nationality who have or will have completed all requirements for their doctoral degree on or after January 1, 2023 in astronomy, physics or related disciplines. The duration of the Fellowship is up to three years: an initial one-year appointment, and two annual renewals contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of NASA funds. The NHFP is administered for NASA by the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in collaboration with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI) at the California Institute of Technology and the Chandra X-ray Center at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.
We anticipate offering up to 24 NHFP Fellowships this year. The Fellowships are tenable at a U.S. host institution of the fellow's choice, subject to a maximum of two new fellows per host institution per year, and one new fellow for institutions that took two new fellows the previous year. Host institutions must have verified their compliance with the NHFP employment policy. The policy and a list of verified hosts can be found here.
The NHFP Announcement of Opportunity includes detailed program policies and application instructions. The application submission page will be open from September 8 until the application deadline on October 28, 2026.
Applicants should follow the instructions given in the Announcement of Opportunity and also examine the Frequently Asked Questions linked from the main NHFP page. Please send any further inquiries about the NHFP to nhfp@stsci.edu.
Important dates:
Applications are due Wednesday, October 28, 2026 (7 PM EDT, 4 PM PDT)
Letters of reference are due Wednesday, November 4, 2026. (Note that the applications are due one week before the letters.) Applicants should emphasize to their letter writers that the letters must be uploaded as PDF files by the deadline using the letter submission form. Letter writers will not receive an automated email with a link to upload their letter.
Offers will be made in early February 2027 and new appointments should begin on or about September 1, 2027. NHFP Fellowships are open to English-speaking citizens of all nations. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation or national origin.