Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

JPL is unique among NASA Centers in that its staff are Caltech employees yet can access NASA technical resources. Cross-discipline teamwork is standard here: colleagues across JPL's science and engineering organizations and on Caltech's academic campus often work together. Learning to speak and understand other disciplines' languages is a doorway to the creativity needed to do what has not been done before. JPL staff are encouraged to create mission concepts that address humanity's core questions through a combination of science and technology. They are supported in developing ideas into proposals and hardware, and in communicating funded missions' results to the scientific community and the broader public. JPL seeks to employ scientists and engineers who are passionate about lifelong learning and excited to both contribute to and lead team efforts. We emphasize the importance of partnering across discipline boundaries and creating a friendly, constructive work environment to overcome space exploration's challenges. Postdoctoral scholars at JPL benefit from a broad informal mentoring network, an annual showcase of their results, a dedicated seminar series, exposure to diverse career paths, and connections across the JPL and Caltech community for advice on housing, childcare, and other aspects of living in Southern California.

JPL is addressing key Earth science questions and societal challenges. As entrepreneurial problem solvers, we work every day to build, launch, and manage a fleet of Earth-observing satellites and airborne instruments. We implement and operate science and applications information systems that are designed to help humanity understand how its home planet is changing, and to learn about ways to nurture and protect it. This end-to-end approach to addressing Earth science (from measurements to technology, from discovery to applications) is in direct alignment with NASA’s Earth Science Division, Earth Science to Action strategy (https://science.nasa.gov/earth-science/earth-science-to-action/). The urgency to translate science to insights and support application of these insights in decision-support requires an ability and commitment to work as scientists and community partners, and a desire to make practical, real-world impacts.

Our approach: hire several cohorts of outstanding postdoctoral Earth Action scientists to focus on maturing key science and applications product development, supporting meaningful partner engagement, conducting scientific studies and solutions co-developed with partners, and advancing the use of NASA Earth observations-based insights in decision-making.

Job Requirements:

• Ph.D. or equivalent experience in Earth systems science, engineering, data science, computer science, water resources, ecological conservation, public health and air quality, wildfires, agriculture, coastal monitoring and management including sea level change, urban heat, statistics (other related disciplines/experiences considered)
• Substantial experience working with remote sensing datasets in an open science environment (modeling expertise needed)
• Experience in or demonstrated desire to work with community partners to co-develop solutions and consider long term sustainability of solutions
• Strong publication record demonstrating ability to conduct research independently and collaboratively
• Strong record of collaborator engagement and communication (within research and interdisciplinary settings, and with external collaborators)

Desired qualifications

• Willingness to invest in science communication and collaboration with varied audiences
• Stakeholder engagement, including willingness to solicit and incorporate feedback in a flexible, dynamic environment
• Experience developing technical solutions that have been scaled and/or are scalable between various applications
• Willingness and availability to travel to support stakeholder engagement in person

Postdocs will be working on Earth Action-oriented projects; for purposes of planning, postdocs should expect to be routinely meeting with and updating their external partners and stakeholders. Applicants may be subject to additional program requirements by NASA. Postdoctoral Scholar positions are awarded for a minimum of period of one year and may be renewed up to a maximum of three years. Please note in your application whether you have applied for a NASA postdoc program fellowship, including topic and proposed NPP mentor. Candidates should submit the following to this site: CV, representative publications, contact information for three references, and a cover letter stating their accomplishments, interests relative to the position description. If large language models (LLMs) are used in crafting the applications, applicants are asked to state how they were used.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$83,820 - $83,820

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

EEO is the Law.

EEO is the Law Supplement

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.