NASA biology jobs in 2026
NASA's biology workforce spans astrobiology, biomedical research, plant science, microbiology, and human health — from searching for evidence of ancient life on Mars with the Perseverance rover to studying how astronauts' bone density changes during year-long ISS missions. In 2026, NASA's biology hiring is shaped by Artemis crew health research, the expanding astrobiology program, and the growing emphasis on biological life support systems for deep space missions.
Types of biology jobs at NASA
NASA biology work falls into several distinct domains, each with its own research focus and hiring pipeline.
Astrobiology
The search for life beyond Earth. NASA's Astrobiology Program funds research at Ames Research Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, and JPL, plus grants to university researchers. Astrobiologists study extremophiles, biosignature detection methods, prebiotic chemistry, and planetary habitability. This is NASA's most scientifically prominent biology program and one of the most competitive to enter.
Biomedical research and human health
Studying how spaceflight affects the human body — bone loss, muscle atrophy, cardiovascular deconditioning, radiation exposure, vision changes (Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome), and psychological effects of isolation. This work happens primarily at Johnson Space Center's Human Health and Performance Directorate and at biomedical research partner institutions.
Space biology and plant science
Growing food in space and understanding how microgravity affects plant growth, cell biology, and microbial communities. The ISS hosts experiments through NASA's Division of Biological and Physical Sciences. Research areas include crop production for long-duration missions, microbiome studies, and tissue engineering in microgravity.
Life support and environmental control
Developing and testing the biological and chemical systems that keep astronauts alive — air revitalization, water recycling, waste processing, and food production. This work straddles biology and engineering and happens primarily at Marshall Space Flight Center and JSC.
Planetary protection
Ensuring that Earth organisms do not contaminate other planets (forward contamination) and that extraterrestrial materials do not pose a biological threat to Earth (back contamination). The Planetary Protection Office at NASA Headquarters oversees this function, with implementation at JPL and other centers.
Unlike engineering roles that concentrate at specific centers by discipline, biology work is distributed. Astrobiology is strongest at Ames and JPL. Biomedical research is centered at JSC. Space biology experiments are managed through Ames but conducted on the ISS from Kennedy Space Center and JSC. Life support engineering is at Marshall. Planetary protection is at HQ with field work at JPL. This means biology job seekers need to look across multiple centers and understand which center aligns with their specialty.
Salary by GS grade and position
NASA biology positions are on the federal GS pay scale. Most biologists are hired under the 0401 (General Biological Science) or 1301 (General Physical Science) occupational series. Astrobiologists may be hired under 1301 or 1310 (Physics/Astronomy) depending on their research focus.
| GS Grade | Typical Title | Experience | Salary (avg locality) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-9 | Biological Scientist (entry with MS) | 0-2 years | $65K–$85K |
| GS-11 | Research Biologist | 2-4 years or PhD entry | $78K–$102K |
| GS-12 | Research Biologist | 4-7 years | $94K–$122K |
| GS-13 | Senior Research Biologist | 7-12 years | $111K–$145K |
| GS-14 | Principal Investigator / Branch Chief | 12+ years | $132K–$172K |
| GS-15 | Division Chief / Senior Scientist | 15+ years | $155K–$191K |
Salaries include locality pay, which varies by center. JPL positions are technically Caltech (not civil service), so they follow Caltech's pay structure which can be higher than GS for equivalent roles. Contractor positions at NASA centers (through companies like KBR, Jacobs, or SAIC) pay comparably to GS but without the federal pension.
A PhD is practically required for principal investigator and research lead positions at NASA. MS-level biologists can work in lab technician, research associate, or project support roles, but the independent research positions that drive NASA's biology programs go to doctoral-level scientists. If your goal is to lead astrobiology research or biomedical investigations at NASA, plan on a PhD in a relevant field (microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, planetary science). The PhD also enters at GS-11 instead of GS-9, which means $10K-$15K more in starting salary.
NASA centers with biology positions
| Center | Location | Biology Focus | Headcount Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames Research Center | Moffett Field, CA | Astrobiology, space biology, life sciences | ~200 |
| Johnson Space Center | Houston, TX | Biomedical, crew health, life support | ~150 |
| Jet Propulsion Laboratory | Pasadena, CA | Astrobiology, planetary protection, Mars sample return | ~100 |
| Goddard Space Flight Center | Greenbelt, MD | Astrobiology instruments, exoplanet biosignatures | ~50 |
| Kennedy Space Center | Merritt Island, FL | ISS bio payloads, crop production, Veggie system | ~40 |
| Marshall Space Flight Center | Huntsville, AL | Life support systems, water recycling | ~30 |
Ames has the largest concentration of biologists at NASA. The Ames Astrobiology Institute, the Space Biosciences Division, and the NASA Astrobiology Program office are all located there. JPL is the second-largest center for biology, particularly for scientists working on Mars sample analysis and instrument development.
Education and career paths into NASA biology
The typical path into NASA biology research:
- BS in biology, biochemistry, microbiology, or related field from an accredited university. Strong chemistry and physics coursework matters — astrobiology is highly interdisciplinary.
- PhD (strongly recommended for research roles) in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, planetary science, or astrobiology. Several universities have dedicated astrobiology programs: University of Washington, Penn State, Arizona State, University of Colorado.
- Postdoctoral research — either through the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP, administered by USRA/ORAU) or at a NASA-funded university lab. The NPP is the most direct pipeline into civil servant research positions. 2-3 year appointments at NASA centers with competitive stipends ($70K-$80K).
- Civil servant or contractor position — apply for permanent positions through USAJobs.gov (civil servant) or through contractor employers (KBR, Jacobs, SAIC, Leidos) that support NASA biology programs.
The NPP is the premier pipeline for PhD scientists into NASA research positions. Around 200 NPP fellows work at NASA centers at any given time, across all science disciplines. Biology/astrobiology NPP positions are at Ames, JPL, GSFC, and JSC. The application cycle is typically twice per year (March and November deadlines). Acceptance rate is roughly 20-25% for biology positions. NPP fellows frequently convert to permanent civil servant positions — roughly 30-40% of NPP alumni in biology are eventually hired as NASA civil servants.
Contractor vs civil servant biology positions
NASA biology work is performed by both civil servants and contractor employees. The experience is similar — you work in the same labs, attend the same meetings, and contribute to the same research — but the employment terms differ significantly.
| Factor | Civil Servant (GS) | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Employer | NASA / federal government | KBR, Jacobs, SAIC, Leidos, universities |
| Job security | Very high (federal protections) | Contract-dependent (recompete risk) |
| Salary | GS scale + locality | Comparable or slightly higher base |
| Pension | Yes (FERS) | No (401k only) |
| TSP / 401(k) | 5% government match | Varies by contractor (3-6%) |
| Research independence | Can be PI, propose own research | Support role or co-PI typically |
| Publications | Full publishing rights | Full publishing rights (usually) |
| Hiring timeline | 60-180 days (USAJobs process) | 30-60 days |
| Career ceiling | GS-15 / SES (Senior Executive Service) | No cap but limited by contract scope |
The practical difference: civil servant biologists can propose and lead their own research programs, serve as principal investigators on NASA-funded grants, and build a long-term research agenda. Contractor biologists typically support existing programs and may have less control over their research direction. That said, many successful NASA biologists spend years as contractors before converting to civil service positions — the contractor pathway lets you build NASA-specific experience and relationships while the civil servant hiring process takes its course.
Current research priorities and hiring areas
NASA's biology research in 2026 is driven by several high-priority areas:
Mars Sample Return biology: Preparing to analyze samples collected by Perseverance rover. Scientists are developing protocols for biosignature detection, contamination control, and sample handling. This drives hiring at JPL and select partner institutions.
Artemis crew health: As Artemis missions extend to weeks-long lunar surface stays, biomedical research on radiation protection, bone/muscle countermeasures, and nutritional requirements is expanding. JSC is the primary hiring center.
Crop production for deep space: NASA's Veggie and Advanced Plant Habitat experiments on ISS are generating data on food production in microgravity. The goal: supplementing crew diets with fresh vegetables on Moon and Mars missions. KSC and Ames lead this work.
Microbiome research: Understanding how the spacecraft and crew microbiome change during spaceflight and how to maintain healthy microbial environments in closed habitats. Emerging research area with growing funding.
Biosignature detection instruments: Developing next-generation instruments that can detect signs of life (amino acids, nucleic acids, metabolic byproducts) for future missions to Europa, Enceladus, and Mars. GSFC and JPL are primary centers.
Frequently asked questions
Does NASA hire biologists?
Yes. NASA employs biologists across astrobiology, biomedical research, space biology, life support systems, and planetary protection. Most biology positions require at least a master's degree, and principal investigator roles require a PhD. Biologists are hired as civil servants (USAJobs), contractor employees (KBR, Jacobs, SAIC), or through the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP).
What is the salary for a NASA biologist?
NASA biologists on the GS scale earn $65K-$191K depending on grade, locality, and experience. Entry positions with a master's degree start at GS-9 ($65K-$85K). PhD-level researchers enter at GS-11 ($78K-$102K). Senior principal investigators reach GS-14/15 ($132K-$191K). JPL biologists follow Caltech pay scales which can be somewhat higher.
What degree do you need for NASA biology?
A bachelor's degree is the minimum, but most research positions require an MS or PhD. Relevant fields include microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, planetary science, and astrobiology. A PhD is practically required for independent research roles and principal investigator positions. The NASA Postdoctoral Program is the standard transitional step from PhD to permanent NASA position.
Where are NASA biology jobs located?
The largest biology programs are at Ames Research Center (Moffett Field, CA), Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX), and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Pasadena, CA). Smaller biology groups exist at Goddard (Greenbelt, MD), Kennedy (Florida), and Marshall (Huntsville, AL). Location depends on your specialty — astrobiology at Ames/JPL, biomedical at JSC, life support at Marshall.
How competitive are NASA biology positions?
Very competitive. Civil servant research positions receive hundreds of applications per opening. The NASA Postdoctoral Program, the primary entry pathway, has roughly a 20-25% acceptance rate for biology. Building a publication record, getting NASA-funded research experience during graduate school, and networking at astrobiology conferences (AbSciCon) are the standard ways to become competitive.
What is the salary for NASA astrobiology researchers?
Astrobiology researchers at NASA follow the same GS pay scale as other NASA biologists. Entry-level postdocs through NPP earn $70K-$80K. Permanent civil servant astrobiologists enter at GS-11 ($78K-$102K) and can progress to GS-14/15 ($132K-$191K) as principal investigators. JPL astrobiologists follow Caltech's pay structure, which can be 5-15% higher than equivalent GS grades. University-based astrobiologists funded by NASA grants earn according to their institution's pay scales.
Are there biology internships at NASA?
Yes. NASA's Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) runs internship programs for undergraduates and graduate students at all NASA centers. Biology-focused internships are most available at Ames (astrobiology, space biology), JSC (biomedical), and KSC (plant science). The application cycle is typically three times per year (fall, spring, summer), with summer being the most competitive. GPA minimum is 3.0. The experience is valuable for building NASA-specific knowledge and relationships that help in future full-time applications.
Browse NASA careers on Zero G Talent. Explore research scientist jobs and aerospace engineering positions. For related biology research, see our guides on NASA internships and NASA scientist salary.
