Postdoctoral Scholar - NASA Ariel Science Center (NASC)

Job Summary

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. IPAC, part of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy Division at Caltech, provides science operations, user support, data and archive services, and scientific vision to maximize discovery with observatories both in space and on the ground. 

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Scholar at the NASA Ariel Science Center (NASC), located at IPAC/Caltech. Ariel is a selected ESA class ‘M’ mission, which is scheduled for launch in 2031 and will perform a census of ~1000 transiting planet atmospheres to assess exoplanet atmosphere trends in chemistry across a diverse sample of planets. To accomplish this goal, preparatory science is underway. The selected postdoctoral scholar will lead a science program relevant to Ariel preparatory science, as well as organize the findings of NASA’s funded US-CAPS program within the ExoFOP infrastructure.

Job Duties

The Postdoctoral Scholar will carry out their own independent scientific research, related to stellar and/or exoplanet characterization of potential Ariel targets with Drs. David Ciardi, Aurora Kesseli, and Elise Furlan, in combination with Ariel Science Consortium. The scholar will be able to propose to both the JPL access to the Palomar telescopes and to the IPAC allocation of LCO time, in addition to other telescope resources.

The Postdoc will join the newly formed NASC team at IPAC/Caltech and work closely with the ExoFOP development team to facilitate ingesting and collating the results from the US-CAPS program into useful outputs for future mission work (e.g., target selection, further preparatory work). The candidate will serve as a liaison between the US-CAPS funded scientists, NASC leadership, Ariel leadership, and the ExoFOP team.

Basic Qualifications and Experience

• By the starting date, a Ph.D. in astronomy, physics or equivalent, in an area relevant to the responsibilities
• Experience in observational astronomy, particularly related to the follow-up of exoplanets
• Strong communication and organizational skills, and the ability to work well with others on a diverse team

Required Documents

• A cover letter describing your interest in the position (limited to 2 pages).
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of scientific research (limited to 2 pages)
• Statement of why you wish to pursue a postdoctoral position that has a significant programmatic aspect
• Contact information (names and email addresses) for 3 professional references

Appointment Details

• The Postdoctoral position has a 2-year term, with a possible extension for an additional year upon satisfactory performance and subject to the availability of funding
• Applications are due July 15, 2026 and should be directed to [email protected], attention to: Dr. Ciardi
• Applications are only accepted via email
• Preferred start date is October 2026.
• Answers to frequently asked questions by Caltech postdocs can be found at  https://postdoc.caltech.edu/faqs

Hiring Range

• Starting at $75,268 per annum
• The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.
• As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks. 

EEO Statement

• We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
• To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Disability Accommodations

• Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position. 
• If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at [email protected].
• Additionally, if you do not meet the basic qualifications of a role but believe you can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at [email protected].