ORAU
Astrophysics: Theoretical Gamma-Ray Astrophysics
Organization
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Reference Code
0081-NPP-MAR26-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
Application Deadline
3/1/2026 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.
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
Eligibility
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;
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.
Questions about this opportunity? Please email npp@orau.org.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Reference Code
0081-NPP-MAR26-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
Application Deadline
3/1/2026 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.
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
Eligibility
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;
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.
Questions about this opportunity? Please email npp@orau.org.
#J-18808-Ljbffr