Control Electronic and Testing of Microsystems for Highly Mass-constrained Planetary Missions

Organization
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Reference Code
0259-NPP-NOV26-JPL-TechDev
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
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:

NASA missions are in need of low size, weight, and power (SWaP) instruments. For example, current Mössbauer and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometers provided for NASA missions are acquired from foreign entities or built in a custom architecture. Having flown by most of the Solar System’s terrestrial targets, there is an observed shift to landed missions, which are inherently mass constrained.  As NASA makes way for smaller scale missions, readily available, low SWAP instruments to deliver routine science will become more valuable.  

 

JPL requires development and testing of highly miniature control electronics for instruments for highly mass-constrained planetary missions. In this project, the fellow should study the pathways to readying a miniature multi-functional instruments with high science value, with a focus on the development of flight-like electronics and mechanisms that make use of state-of-the-art components with an identifiable path to flight to support near-term needs.  Goals for the entire instrument are <5W, <500g, ~0.5U. The NASA Fellow will work with a team or scientists and engineers, gain experience in instrument systems engineering, publish technical papers, and emerge a leader in instrument system miniaturization.  

Field of Science: Technology Development
Advisors:

Mina Rais-Zadeh
[email protected]
(626) 460-9989

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 

Questions about this opportunity? Please email [email protected]

Point of Contact
Mikeala
Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.

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