Celestial Dynamicist
Job Summary
Category
Scientific / Technical Staff
Institution
Jacobs
Department
Meteoroid Environment Office (MEO) within the Natural Environments Branch at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)
Number of Positions Available
1
Work Arrangement
In-Person
Job Description
Improve NASA’s knowledge of the meteoroid environment, particularly with regard to those particles posing a hazard to spacecraft
- Assisting in the development and improvement of meteoroid environment models throughout the Solar System
- Analyzing the data obtained from visual observers, meteor camera networks, telescopic instrumentation, and in-situ measurements to derive quantities (speeds, fluxes, masses, densities, etc.) pertinent to the development of meteor models
- Developing supplemental models to support the MEO’s main products (the Meteoroid Engineering Model and meteor shower forecasts)
- Tracking meteor events and updating the on the circumstances surrounding these events
At least a BS degree from an ABET accredited institution in Astronomy or Physics or a related field with a minimum of 6 years’ experience in dynamical astronomy, or a PhD in Astronomy or Physics meeting the publication requirement
- Must have published papers (as first author) on solar system dynamics in peer-reviewed astronomical journals such as Icarus, Earth, Moon, and Planets, the Astronomical Journal, or the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Expertise in one or more computer languages, preferably Python or the C family
- A strong, demonstrated math background
- The ability to be proactive and complete tasks with minimal direction
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship
DESIRED:
PhD or equivalent degree/experience in Astronomy or Physics with a specialty in Solar System dynamics or small body dynamics
Ability in 2 or more computer languages
Jacobs is an EOE - race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran
Application Details
Publication Start Date
2017 Sep 08
Application Deadline
2017 Oct 16
Reference Code
AS0001NF