Experienced Scientists: Become an ExoGuide with NASA and Help Shape the Next Generation of Exoplanet Explorers

Pasadena, California, Source :

NASA is looking for seasoned scientists and engineers to mentor the next wave of exoplanet researchers. The ExoExplorers program, sponsored by NASA's Exoplanet Exploration Program Office and the ExoPAG Executive Committee, is now accepting nominations for ExoGuides. These senior mentors will work with a small group of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in a professional development experience that is designed to leave a lasting impact.

The program is built around roughly ten early-career researchers, known as ExoExplorers, who are ready to raise their visibility in the exoplanet community. Participants will deliver public talks, build stronger research networks, and receive practical guidance from mentors who have navigated careers in space science and engineering. For ExoGuides, the commitment is intentionally concise and flexible. It comes down to a single two-hour session with the cohort. That includes a 30-minute seminar and a 90-minute informal conversation.

What makes a good ExoGuide? The organizers want mentors to bring their whole perspective. That could mean discussing a recent technical discovery, sharing lessons from mission work, or talking about career decisions, collaboration, resilience, and leadership. The goal is to offer broad and diverse viewpoints that help early-career scientists see the many paths available to them.

Faculty members, research staff, and professionals at equivalent career stages are invited to take part. The program welcomes applicants from exoplanet science and adjacent fields such as protoplanetary disks, stellar astrophysics, and astronomical instrumentation. Both U.S. and international institutions can participate. One important note: NASA's engagement restrictions apply to citizens of Iran, Syria, North Korea, and China, as well as individuals currently affiliated with institutions in those countries. Anyone affected should consult the FAQ for details.

Nominations are open now. The deadline is 6:00 p.m. Pacific time on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Self-nominations are encouraged, and once submitted, a nomination will be considered for three annual selection cycles. That means nominees do not need to reapply each year. The Organizing and Steering Committees plan to contact prospective ExoGuides in mid-November.

Every participant is expected to follow the program's code of conduct, which supports a respectful and productive environment for all. To stay informed about application windows, public talks, and program milestones, interested researchers can join the ExoExplorers mailing list.

Exoplanet science is moving quickly, with missions like TESS and the James Webb Space Telescope opening new possibilities. This mentorship opportunity gives emerging researchers and experienced scientists a chance to build connections that will help sustain a vibrant, inclusive field. A single conversation might be the one that shapes an entire career. For ExoGuides, it is also a chance to see the future of exoplanet exploration through fresh eyes.