Optical Plasma Diagnostics for Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Material Testing and MHD Jet Stability
ORAU • California, United States
Role & seniority: NASA Postdoctoral Fellow (postdoctoral researcher)
Stack/tools: Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) jet experiments; optical diagnostics (LIF, LAS, OES), collisional-radiative modeling; Python; CAD design for hardware integration; arcjet familiarity
Top 3 responsibilities
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Design and implement optical diagnostics to characterize plasma flow, plasma–material interactions, and magnetized jet stability
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Integrate diagnostics into ongoing material testing campaigns and generate benchmark data
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Support material response modeling and plasma flow validation with experimental results
Must-have skills
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Ph.D. in plasma physics, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field
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Prior experience with laser-based plasma diagnostics
Nice-to-haves
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Experience with inductively coupled plasmas and arcjets
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Python programming
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CAD design for hardware integration
Location & work type
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Opportunities at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or NASA-affiliated research institute
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1- to 3-year postdoctoral fellowships
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Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (LPR)
Additional notes
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Application via Zintellect; required materials include research proposal, three recommendation letters, and official doctoral transcripts
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Application deadline: 3/1/2026 6:00:59 PM ET
Full Description
Organization
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Reference Code
0150-NPP-MAR26-ARC-Interdisc
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.
Description
A new inductively coupled plasma (ICP) jet experiment has been developed for studying spacecraft material catalycity under reentry-relevant conditions and basic physics relevant to arcjet facilities. The primary project is to design and implement several optical diagnostics to characterize plasma flow, plasma–material interactions, and the stability of the magnetized plasma jet. Applicants should be familiar with at least one of the following methods: Argon laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), O* laser absorption spectroscopy (LAS), optical emission spectroscopy (OES), and/or collisional-radiative (CR) modeling. The selected postdoctoral fellow will integrate these diagnostics into ongoing material testing campaigns and provide benchmark data for both material response modeling and plasma flow validation.
Field of Science: Interdisciplinary/Other
Advisors
Magnus Haw
(650) 604-6109
Questions about this opportunity? Please email npp@orau.org
Qualifications
Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in plasma physics, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field. Prior experience with laser-based plasma diagnostics is required. Additional expertise with inductively coupled plasmas, arcjets, Python, or CAD design for hardware integration is desirable.
Point of Contact
Mikeala
Eligibility Requirements
Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
Degree: Doctoral Degree.
