What is a Research Scientist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory?
A Research Scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) operates at the absolute frontier of space exploration, Earth science, and technological innovation. In this role, you are responsible for conceiving, executing, and delivering cutting-edge scientific investigations that support NASA's broader missions. Whether you are analyzing radar remote sensing data for the OPERA Project, developing high-performance atomic clocks, or building complex geodynamic models of crustal deformation, your work translates directly into planetary-scale impact.
Unlike purely academic institutions, JPL bridges the gap between theoretical science and flight-ready engineering. As a Research Scientist, you will collaborate closely with world-class engineers, software developers, and mission managers to define the scientific requirements for future space instruments. Your findings will not only be published in top-tier peer-reviewed journals but will also shape the trajectory of active and future space missions managed from Pasadena, CA.
Working at JPL requires a unique blend of self-motivated academic curiosity and highly structured project execution. Because the laboratory operates as a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) managed by Caltech, you will work within a highly collaborative, intellectually rigorous, yet bureaucratic environment. Success in this role means being able to navigate this complexity to turn ambitious scientific hypotheses into reality.



