NASA Goddard Association of Postdoctoral and Early Career Scientists

The information on this website was compiled by volunteers and does not represent the views of NASA or the Goddard administration. You should always check with your lab and/or adviser as some information may be out of date or not applicable to your situation.

Working at NASA Goddard

This page was put together with both new and old employees in-mind! Do you see something incorrect or missing? Let us know.

NASA URLs

Many of NASA's internal websites are inaccessible unless you are on-campus or VPN'd into the network. If you run into a link that is taking you to a 404 or dead page, that may be the issue. If you are on the network and still run into problems then you may have found a dead link. We would appreciate it if you reported those using this form!

Goddard Internal Website

Goddard has its own internal website (must be on the NASA network to access). A lot of up-to-date, center-specific information can be found on it: internal.gsfc.nasa.gov.

Looking for a colleague's email or phone number? Try looking for them on this site.

Other Topics

Click on any of the topics below to learn more about them.

Welcome to NASA Goddard! We look forward to meeting you and hope you have a smooth transition into your new position.

NASA GSFC Official Orientation Page

Everyone's situation is different but starting a new position can be challenging in a lot of ways. Especially for those moving to the area from a different state or country. We are here to help! We recommend staying in touch and directing any questions or concerns to your adviser and/or lab chief as well as the primary contact for your contractor (if applicable). They will be able to provide the best advise for your specific situation. However, if you have any questions or would just like to chat with fellow early career folks then feel free to contact one of the NGAPS+ officers and we will try to help you directly or get you in contact with someone who can better answer your questions.

NGAPS+ Code of Conduct

We expect all NGAPS+ members to abide by our code of conduct. This code was created to promote and ensure a safe, respectful, inclusive environment for all NGAPS+ members and associates, regardless of work affiliation (civil servants, contractors, university co-op scientists, NASA Postdoctoral Program fellows, interns, etc.) to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), job title, or field.

Create an Email Signature and Update Your NASA Bio

Your NASA Bio page will be a one-stop-shop for NASA management (and external collaborators) to learn more about you and your research. Keeping it updated will ensure that everyone learns the most up-to-date information about you. We have put together a short guide on how you can update this page.

NASA Bio and Email Signature Guide

This document also describes how you can make an email signature in Microsoft Outlook. These signatures can link to your NASA bio and any other page you want. This again makes it easier for those you interact with to quickly learn more about you and your work. This guide was last updated in Fall 2021.

Foreign National Info

Moving to live and work in a new country is incredibly exciting, but it can also be a confusing time when it comes to understanding the different steps needed to move, settle and function in the new place. It is for this reason that NGAPS+ has created an Informal Guide for Foreign Nationals (FNs) - defined here as non-US citizens - which consists of tips and knowledge gained from other foreign nationals who have already been through the process. Primarily intended for FNs who are either yet to arrive in the US, or those who may have recently arrived, we hope that this info relevant to all foreign nationals!

Foreign National Guide

Foreign National Buddy System

While new FNs will hopefully receive lots of useful advice from your advisor/employer and the informal guide mentioned above, we also know from experience that there are often things that your employer can't help you with, they may forget to tell you, or you may have questions that you simply do not feel comfortable asking them. Our experience is that we typically gained most of our knowledge informally through our peers and "word of mouth". It is for this reason that we decided to trial a new "buddy" system! We intend to match incoming or "new to the area" FNs with a more established FN "buddy" who can act as an informal guide to help you with any questions you have about life in the US, life in the DC area, where to find stuff at GSFC, etc. Your "buddy" will have already been through the same process as you're going through and can hopefully pass on useful tips and advice to help you navigate any of the unique challenges you may face as a FN at GSFC.

New to the US and DC area, and looking for a FN “buddy”? Interested in signing up to be a volunteer and be connected with an incoming FN “buddy”? Sign up here using this form or by emailing gsfc-ngaps-admin@lists.nasa.gov

Goddard Nomenclature

  • Building numbers on the Goddard campus are based on when that building's construction started and has nothing to do with location. For example, B12 is right next to B36 (36 is just much newer).
  • Some buildings are attached to one another like the large fabrication buildings: 7, 10, 15, and 29.

Getting to Campus

  • There are four primary gates to get onto campus:
    • Main Gate - connects the front side of Goddard to Greenbelt Rd. Not too far from the I-495 ramp, good if you are headed to/from the South.
      • The Main gate is the only gate you can enter if you do not have a visitor or regular badge: Visit the badging office before coming onto campus.
    • North-West or "Explorer Road" Gate - connects the back side of Goddard to the Baltimore-Washington Pkwy with pretty easy access to I-495 if you are headed to/from the North.
    • North-East or "Hubble Road" Gate - connects the back side of Goddard to Soil Conservation Rd. This road eventually leads to the Baltimore-Washington Pkwy farther north than the previous gate. Ideal if headed to/from Laurel or Columbia Maryland.
    • South or "ICESAT Road" Gate - connects the front side of Goddard to Greenbelt Rd a few blocks east of the main gate. It is good if you are headed to/from Bowie, MD. The Goddard visitor's center is just outside this gate.
  • Check out the living @Goddard page for more info about getting around the DC area.

Goddard Campus Map

Campus Points of Interest

  • U.S. Post Office in Building 1. This is a small post office but you can send packages & letters and even buy stamps.
    • The Post Office is open Tuesday thru Thursday from 7:30 to 2:00 pm with a break for the staff from 10:00-10:15.
    • The Post Office accepts cash or checks ONLY - no credit or debit cards.
    • The Post Office keeps limited change on hand and therefore cannot accept $20 bills for purchases of $10 or less.
  • Barney & Bea Rec Center located behind the child development center (near Building 18).
    • The Main Hall can comfortably seat 100 and holds up to 300 for a standing event; our smaller Meeting room can seat 20-25.
    • Events at the Rec Center held Monday-Friday between 8:00-5:30 are at NO COST to the user; after-hours and weekend events require a nominal fee.
    • Interested in reserving the Rec Center? Just go to http://gewarcreservation.gsfc.nasa.gov (Goddard Network Only) to lock in your date.
  • Picnic Pavilion located behind the child development center (near Building 18).
    • The Pavilion has picnic tables that can comfortably seat at least 50 people and in early 2016 the Pavilion will be updated with both new tables and new charcoal grills.
    • Free of charge. Interested in reserving the Pavilion? Just go to http://gewarcreservation.gsfc.nasa.gov (Goddard Network Only) to lock in your date.
  • NASA Gift Stores - There is a gift shop in Building 1 and the Visitor's Center. NASA employees who show their badge receive a 20% discount. Find hours and other info here.

General Info

  • Vending Machine Issue? Check out how to report a malfunction or request a refund here.

On-Campus Options

  • Cafe hours can be found here. Nutritional facts and weekly menus can be found here.
  • Building 21 Main Cafeteria (Monday - Friday; 7am - 2:30pm). Lots of seating.
  • Building 1 Food Court (Monday - Friday; Hours vary): Subway, Starbucks, Hana Noodles & Sushi, ILC Mexican grill. Lots of seating.
  • Building 33 Grab & Go Cafe (Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 2:30pm. Limited seating.
  • Building 34 Grab & Go Cafe (Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 2:30pm. Limited seating.
  • IL Creations offers catering for events, find out more info at the bottom of this page.

Off-Campus Options

  • Check out this map for some recommendations of local restaurants.

The NGAPS+ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion subcommittee has put together three guides to help you better understand compensation, taxes, and benefits that affect early career scientists as well as tips to plan for your retirement. These resources were put together by volunteers for informational purposes only. They are not official NASA GSFC recommendations, and GSFC is not responsible for the conditions and accuracy of the information provided. None of the volunteers who put these together were tax experts or financial planners. We recommend using them as starting points but then to do your own research and consult experts before making final decisions. Content and links found in these documents were compiled in Summer of 2021.

NGAPS+ Salary and Benefit Guide

NGAPS+ Tax Guide

NGAPS+ Post-doc Retirement Guide

GSFC Library

Student and Post-Bac Peer Mentorship

The NGAPS+ community has put together some information for current students or those who think they may be applying or attending graduate school in the near future. Check out our Applying and Surviving Graduate School Guide.

GSFC is broken up into codes that generally follow the format XYZ. Where X = Directorate level, Y = Division level, Z = Laboratory level. Occasionally there will be an additional decimal like 0.O, this usually represents a special office (generally Admin & Support).

Overall Division Structure

  • Code 600 - Sciences and Exploration Directorate - Org Chart
    • Code 610 - Earth Sciences Division - Org Chart
    • Code 660 - Astrophysics Science Division - Org Chart
    • Code 670 - Heliophysics Science Division - Org Chart
    • Code 690 - Solar System Exploration Division - Org Chart

The above listings were made with code 600 staff in mind. Goddard also has several other directorates (full listing).

  • Code 100 - Office of Goddard Space Flight Center's Director
    • Code 110 - Human Resources Office
    • Code 120 - Equal Opportunity Programs Office
    • Code 130 - Office of Communications
    • Code 140 - Office of Chief Counsel
    • Code 150 - Office of Chief Financial Officer
    • Code 160 - Office of Education
  • Code 200 - Management Operations
  • Code 300 - Safety & Mission Assurance
  • Code 400 - Flight Projects
  • Code 500 - Applied Engineering & Technology
  • Code 600 - Sciences & Exploration
  • Code 700 - Information Technology & Communications
  • Code 800 - Suborbital & Special Orbital Projects

Below is the contact information for 660 and 690's IT help desks. Other divisions may have their own resources, but feel free to contact these folks and ask to be directed to the correct department.

When contacting the help desk, in order to expedite the process, please include your name, code, operating system, machine name, and description of the issue you are having. Also include any relevant software and any troubleshooting steps you may have already tried.

Solar System Exploration Division (Code 690) IT Help Desk

Astrophysics (Code 660) IT Help Desk

Mailing List Management

Want to join or manage a new or existing mailing list? This site may help: lists.nasa.gov/protected/lists.html (internal/vpn site).

Approved NASA Tools and Software

The approved NASA tools website: https://approvedtools.nasa.gov/ (internal/vpn site), is a quick way to look up if a piece of software is approved to be used on the NASA network or NASA computers. For example, if you go to that site and look up "chat" you will learn about various software approved to use for instant messaging like Microsoft Teams.

Diversity and Inclusion Calendar (Internal Link).

Map of Unisex Restrooms from 2021.

NGAPS+ Code of Conduct

We expect all NGAPS+ members to abide by our code of conduct. This Code represents a chance for NGAPS+ co-officers and members to clearly profess our values and our goals for a more equitable, ethical, and compassionate workplace. This code was created to promote and ensure a safe, respectful, inclusive environment for all NGAPS+ members and associates, regardless of work affiliation (civil servants, contractors, university co-op scientists, NASA Postdoctoral Program fellows, interns, etc.) to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), job title, or field.

LGBTQ+ Support and Networking

Cooperative agreements (Co-ops) are formal agreements between lead organizations and NASA. Each agreement usually has one lead organization and then several partner organizations. Each agreement outlines the science topical areas where the agreement is to operate. Transitioning means that a cooperative agreement will hire you as an employee, but your adviser will be required to allocate funds to pay your salary.

Some examples of code 600 agreements include:

If you feel like transitioning to a cooperative agreement is the next step after your NPP, you should discuss co-op options with your adviser at the end of the 1st year in the NPP program. Your advisor must have funding to apply to the cooperative agreement in order to support the contract.

During your transition, allow plenty of time to resolve any unforeseen issues. A US citizen can take a couple of months, 60 days or much sooner depending upon the employment process for the cooperative agreement. A foreign national can take 100 business days or more.

NASA Postdoctoral Program fellows are not limited to cooperative agreements after the second year. For example, you can stay on as 3rd year NPP fellows or look for employment in the academic community. Talk to your adviser about what might be best for you.


NGAPS+ Advocates

NGAPS+ code of conduct discusses various reporting mechanisms available to early career scientists in the case of a breach of the code of conduct or when other concerns arise. One of these mechanisms are NGAPS+ internal and external advocates. These are trusted allies that you can rely on to offer advice on any problems you face and to guide you through the process of escalating / officially reporting the concern should you decide to. They are also good mentorship resources if you ever have general questions about working at GSFC.

Internal Advocates are a subset of NGAPS+ members and co-officers who have chosen to become “allies” for those who wish to report an incident. They serve as unofficial points of conduct and can provide support and guidance. NGAPS+ Advocates can respond to misconduct through NGAPS+ (e.g., removing an individual from an event) or can support you through the process if you choose to escalate a matter (whether related specifically to NGAPS+ or not) to more official channels. They can also provide advice and mentorship.

External Advocates are chosen from non-early career Goddard employees who have demonstrated strong support for early career scientists in the past. They can provide similar guidance as that given by NGAPS+ Advocates, though in some cases may be bound by additional reporting requirements.

Internal Advocates

External Advocates