Category: Observation

Staff Scientist (NEO Surveyor Task Lead)

Posted on
Current state: Approved
Department: IPAC
City: Pasadena
State/Province: CA
Category: , , ,
Country: United States
Contact Person: Caltech Recruitment
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Caltech/IPAC
Application Due Date: Friday, February 21 2025
Web Link: https://phf.tbe.taleo.net/phf03/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=CALTECH&cws=37&rid=10174

Job Summary

IPAC at Caltech invites applications for a Task Lead of the team that is developing the Survey Data System for NASA’s Near-Earth Object (NEO) Surveyor mission. As Task Lead you will work closely with the IPAC/NEOS Science Lead and Lead System Architect in the overall management of the development, test, and operation of the NEO Surveyor Survey Data Systems (NSDS) at IPAC.

IPAC is part of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy Division at Caltech. We are a dedicated team of scientists, engineers, and administrative personnel who provide science operations, user support, data and archive services, and scientific vision to maximize discovery with observatories both in space and on the ground. NEO Surveyor is a NASA Planetary Defense mission, scheduled to launch in 2027, that is optimized to detect, track, and characterize solar system small bodies that pose a potential risk to the Earth. NEO Surveyor consists of a passively cooled 50 cm telescope located at Sun-Earth L1 equipped with a wide-field camera that will image the sky simultaneously in two mid-infrared bands. NEO Surveyor will detect approximately 100,000 Main Belt asteroids, NEOs, and comets each day against a background of tens of millions of distant stars and galaxies.

IPAC is building the NSDS that ingests imaging and engineering data from the flight system, processes those data into calibrated image and source detection products, performs automated searches for moving solar system objects, assesses the quality of the survey data, and distributes data products to NASA archives and the user community.

Essential Job Duties

IPAC uses an integrated team approach to its tasks including a leadership model where Science Lead and Task Lead partner in guiding the team to achieve task objectives. As Task Lead you will be responsible for the following:

Managing the budget, schedule, and staffing for NEOS work at IPAC.
Planning and tracking NSDS development, testing, and deployment at IPAC
Reporting project status to IPAC Management and presenting at internal reviews.
Reporting progress and status for the NSDS development to the NEOS Project Office at JPL and presenting at project reviews.
Managing external technical interfaces and documents, including those related to contract reporting.
Participating in external meetings (virtual and in-person) with the NEOS Project Partners, especially the Mission System elements and the Project Science Office.
Coordinating on a regular basis with the NSDS Science Lead to assess NSDS progress, to confirm alignment with science requirements, to identify challenges and mitigations, and to involve IPAC Management in the discussion as needed.
Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree with 12 years of experience, Master’s degree with 10 years of experience or PhD with 8 years of experience in astrophysics, engineering or a closely related field.
Experience leading, coaching, and motivating a technical team.
Experience using project management tools such as spreadsheets, scheduling, and issue tracking software.
Demonstrated responsibility for developing and managing budgets, schedules, financial reports, and tracking milestones and receivables / deliverables.
Ability to work in a team environment, including good written and verbal communication skills.
Applicants for this position must be a United States (US) person as defined by ITAR regulations – A US person is a citizen of the United States, a lawful permanent resident alien of the US (“Green Card” holder), or an individual granted refugee and asylum status under US law.
Preferred Qualifications

Besides these basic qualifications, there are a set of skills and experience that will enhance your contributions to this role. The following might give you a head start, but even if these don’t describe you or your experience, we would still like to hear from you.

Experience with astronomical or NASA projects.
Experience with Earned Value Management.
Experience with software systems or system engineering.
Required Documents

Cover Letter.
Resume.
Names and Contact information of 3 professional references.
Complete applications submitted by February 21, 2025, will receive full consideration, but review of applications will continue until a suitable candidate has been identified.

People choose to work at IPAC for many reasons, and the casual, employee-centric culture often leads to fulfilling, long-term careers and lasting professional relationships. Caltech’s benefits program offers a quality, competitive benefits package that is affordable for you and the Institute. The program provides a strong base of coverage for you and your dependents, and the ability to choose the plan and the level of coverage that best meet your needs. We also offer a 403(b) defined contribution plan to eligible staff as well as a Voluntary Retirement Savings (TDA) Plan. IPAC staff have access to the Institute’s facilities, including the athletic center, libraries, on-site daycare, professional development and enrichment classes, and Athenaeum club membership.

Hiring Range
$150,500 – $173,900 Per Year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.

EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Disability Accommodations
If you would like to request an accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Caltech Recruiting at [email protected].

JOINT DIRAC FELLOWSHIP AND BAUM POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW FOR INNOVATIVE ASTRONOMY

Posted on
Current state: Approved
Department: Astronomy
City: Seattle
State/Province: Washington
Category: ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Jim Davenport
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: University of Washington
Application Due Date: Tuesday, December 31 2024
Web Link: https://apply.interfolio.com/158267

We invite applications for the 2025 Joint DiRAC Fellowship and Baum Postdoctoral Fellow for Innovative Astronomy in the University of Washington’s Astronomy Department. These up to 3-year postdoctoral positions are available to promising early-career scientists who are ready to engage in self-directed research that complements the work done at UW’s Institute for Data-Intensive Research in Astrophysics and Cosmology (DiRAC). Active areas include: Transients and Variable Star Science, Solar System Science, Milky Way Structure, Extragalactic Science, Cosmology, and Astronomical Software Development.

Applicants with innovative research programs involving early science with Rubin Observatory and the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) are especially encouraged to apply.

DiRAC’s mission is to expand the frontiers of astrophysics enabled by breakthroughs in large surveys, data-intensive algorithms, and software. The Institute comprises seven faculty and senior fellows, and over 30 postdoctoral researchers, research scientists, software engineers, and graduate students. DiRAC leads the construction of Rubin Observatory’s time domain and solar system processing pipelines and is a founding Hub of LINCC, the LSST Interdisciplinary Network for Computing and Collaboration.

Applications are due by December 31, 2024. Please direct questions to Jim Davenport ([email protected]).

Quality Assurance Scientist

Posted on
Current state: Approved
Department: IPAC
City: Pasadena
State/Province: CA
Category: , , ,
Country: United States of America
Contact Person: Caltech Recruitment
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Caltech/IPAC
Application Due Date: Monday, January 06 2025
Web Link: https://phf.tbe.taleo.net/phf03/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=CALTECH&cws=37&rid=10102

Job Summary

IPAC at the California Institute of Technology invites applications for one or more Quality Assurance Scientists to work on the Near-Earth Object Surveyor (NEOS) program. NEOS is a NASA Planetary Defense mission, scheduled for launch in late 2027, that will detect, track, and characterize solar system small bodies that pose a hazard to the Earth. The NEOS observatory consists of a passively cooled 50 cm telescope located near Sun-Earth L1 equipped with a wide-field camera that will image the sky simultaneously in two mid-infrared bands. NEOS will detect approximately 200,000 Main Belt Asteroids, NEOs, and comets each day against a background of hundreds of millions of distant stars and galaxies.

IPAC is developing and will operate the NEOS Survey Data System (NSDS) that ingests raw data from the flight system, processes those data into calibrated images and source detections, performs automated searches for moving solar system objects, assesses the quality of the survey data, and distributes data products to NASA archives and the user community. The NSDS QA Scientists will be part of the Team who are the final arbiters for the daily NEOS data processing, and who vet the NEOS data products prior to their release to the user community.

Essential Job Duties

As a Quality Assurance Scientist, you will report to the NSDS Lead Scientist and Lead Quality Assurance Scientist. Your duties will include:
• Prior to the launch of NEOS, you will assist with development and testing of the NSDS systems that produce automated quality reports from data processing and longer-term trending, and support performance testing of elements of the NSDS such as photometry, astrometry, automated detection classification, and moving object tracklet generation.
• During NEOS survey operations, you will review the automated NSDS data quality summaries that track data through each stage of the processing, review the list of automatically detected moving solar system object tracklets prior to their delivery to the IAU Minor Planet Center, and monitor long-term trending checks of data quality metrics.
• In preparation for the release of NEOS data products to the user community, you will assist with characterizing and documenting products for the NEOS data user guide.
• You will also contribute specialized analysis tools for off-line checks, such as those to be done during NEO Surveyor’s Science Verification phase just after launch.

The Quality Assurance Scientists are expected to be active participants in the general activities of the IPAC Staff, and to conduct a research program that ideally makes use of data from the NEO Surveyor mission.

Basic Qualifications
• PhD or an equivalent degree in Planetary Science, Astronomy, or a related technical field.
• 3 years of experience in the analysis and interpretation of astronomical imaging data.
• Knowledge of scientific programming and scripting for analyzing astronomical data sets.
• Good communication skills, which will be needed to liaise with other members of the NEOS science data quality assurance team.
• The ability to write and maintain documents that describe the results of analyses of data attributes and quality.

Preferred Qualifications

Besides these basic qualifications, there are a set of skills and experience that will enhance your contributions as the NEOS Quality Assurance Scientist. The following might give you a head start, but even if these don’t describe you or your experience, we would still like to hear from you.
• Experience analyzing data from modern infrared array detectors, preferably from space-based telescopes.
• Experience conducting statistical analyses of large astronomical data sets.
• Plans for an active research program that ideally makes use of data from the NEOS mission.

Required Documents
• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Names and Contact information of 3 references
• Submit Application via Caltech Website.
• Applications deadline: January 6, 2025.

IPAC, part of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy Division at Caltech (www.caltech.edu), partners with NASA, NSF, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL, operated for NASA by Caltech), and the world-wide research community to advance exploration of our universe. IPAC provides science operations, user support, data and archive services, and scientific vision to maximize discovery with observatories both in space and on the ground. Scientists at IPAC have access to Palomar Observatory and other research facilities.

Hiring Range
$71,000 – $105,500 Per Year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.

EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Disability Accommodations

If you would like to request an accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Caltech Recruiting at [email protected].

University of Maryland Astronomy faculty position

Posted on
Current state: Approved
Department: Astronomy
City: College Park
State/Province: MD
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Olivia Dent
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: University of Maryland, College Park
Application Due Date: Friday, November 15 2024
Web Link: https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/124087

The Department of Astronomy at the University of Maryland College Park invites applications for a tenure-track or tenured faculty position, at the assistant or associate professor level. Outstanding candidates in all areas of observational and theoretical astronomy and astrophysics will be considered, although we particularly encourage applicants in the fields of exoplanets, solar system and planetary origins, data science (especially time-domain astronomy and surveys), and the high-z universe and galaxy evolution. All candidates should have research that relates to current and near-future major astronomical facilities such as JWST, ALMA, Roman, and Rubin.

For full consideration, complete applications (including letters) must be submitted by November 15, 2024. For more information about the position and to submit an application, please visit:
https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/123978

Postdoc position in exoplanets

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Current state: Review
Department: Department of Physics and Astronomy
City: Baton Rouge
State/Province: LA
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Tabetha Boyajian
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Louisiana State University
Application Due Date: Sunday, November 05 2023
Web Link: https://lsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/LSU/job/0261A-JW-Nicholson-Hall/Postdoctoral-Researcher--Exoplanets-_R00083529

Applicants are sought for a postdoctoral researcher position at Louisiana State University to work in the area of exoplanets/time-domain astronomy. The researcher will work within Professor Tabby Boyajian’s group on designing a science program for LUSTER (LUnar-based Survey for Time-domain Exoplanet Research).  LUSTER will use a small (~15-cm) imaging telescope attached to an upcoming lunar lander to provide near-continuous monitoring of transiting exoplanet host stars to perform transmission spectroscopy at near-UV wavelengths. 

Responsibilities: Generate the science requirements and flow-down, including a Science & Mission Traceability Matrix and other supporting analyses that enable the LUSTER (LUnar-based Survey for Time-domain Exoplanet Research) investigation; create a scientific target list and an observing plan according to potential mission launch dates and durations that are available in the launch timeframe;provide estimates of the data volume for determining in-space data processing, data storage and telemetry needs, and suitable data products; assist in the analysis of component test data, especially detector testing that will help define the data pipeline processing requirements and design (80%). The researcher will write up their work for publication in journals, present their work at conferences and collaboration meetings, and assist the preparation of proposals.  Additional duties include assisting in the supervision of graduate and undergraduate students (20%).

Planetary Astronomer/Computer Scientist

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Department: Space Science Division
City: San Antonio
State/Province: TX
Category: , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Kurt Retherford
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Southwest Research Institute
Application Due Date: Wednesday, February 01 2023
Web Link: http://resapp.swri.org/ResApp/Job_Details.aspx

Come help our team complete tasks on several planetary mission and/or space telescope spectroscopy programs. We intend to expand our team expertise in scientific computing, programming, and data analysis capabilities. The applicant will participate in NASA funded planetary research and analysis projects and/or observing programs; projects include Europa Clipper, JUICE, Juno, LRO, New Horizons, Cassini, HST, JWST, laboratory Raman/far-UV/mid-IR ices, and ground-based observations. See Job ID 15-01679.

Tenure-Track Planetary Science Faculty Position at Hampton University

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Department: Department of Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences
City: Hampton
State/Province: Virginia
Category: , , , ,
Country: United States
Contact Person: Robert Loughman
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Hampton University
Application Due Date: Monday, May 15 2023
Web Link: https://home.hamptonu.edu/science/aps-tenure-track-faculty/

Hampton University Department of Atmospheric and Planetary Science Faculty Position

 

Description

The Hampton University (HU) Department of Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (APS) invites nominations and applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Planetary Science, at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor to begin August 2023.

Founded in 1868, Hampton University is a leading historically black university (HBCU) located on the Virginia Peninsula in the City of Hampton. It is a privately endowed, co-educational, nonsectarian institution. HU established the Center for Atmospheric Science (CAS) in 1996, which led to creation of the Department of Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences in 2007.  APS offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in the fields of Atmospheric Science and Planetary Science. This program has established a reputation of excellence in education, outreach and research, with particular emphasis on satellite applications for atmospheric studies.

Duties and Responsibilities

 

The successful candidate will continue and advance the groundbreaking work of CAS and APS. This work includes building a portfolio of externally funded, high-profile research in the field of atmospheric science and recruiting, supporting, and advising masters and doctoral students. The successful candidates will also teach courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Objectives of the APS department include continuation of research excellence at HU in atmospheric and planetary science, expanded capacity for research, and growth in enrollment in the graduate program.

Qualifications

A Ph.D. in Planetary Science or a related field is required.  The successful applicant will sustain existing programs and enable future strategic growth of the department in the following area:

Satellite-based remote sensing of planetary atmospheres and/or surfaces (including Earth), with demonstrated capability and commitment to developing new satellite instruments, planetary missions, and data analysis techniques.

Salary will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and accomplishments in the field.   

 

How to Apply

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants should submit a Hampton University Application for Employment for faculty, a letter outlining the candidate’s commitment to teaching, professional and scholarly work; a curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation on company letterhead. Applications may be submitted electronically to [email protected] (with “APS faculty search” in the subject line), or mailed to:

Department of Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences Search Committee

Attn: Dr. Robert Loughman

Center for Atmospheric Sciences

154 William R. Harvey Way

Hampton University

Hampton VA 23668.  

Application Deadline: 

Monday, May 15, 2023

Selection Deadline: 

Friday, June 30, 2023

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER – PLANETARY SCIENCE

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Department: Space Science
City: San Antonio
State/Province: Texas
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Institution: Southwest Research Institute
Application Due Date: Saturday, April 01 2023
Web Link: https://resapp.swri.org/ResApp/Job_Details.aspx?JOB_CD=15-01645
Who We Are:

A recognized leader in space science research and spacecraft instrumentation, avionics, and electronics, we are helping to reveal the secrets of our solar system and the universe.

Objectives of this Role:
  • Lead novel modeling research while contributing to various ongoing research projects in collaboration with other members of the In Situ Techniques Group.
  • Develop new geochemical and cosmochemical models as foundational science in support of current or future mission work, including Ocean Worlds and origins science.
  • Collaborate with remote sensing and lab studies groups and with the Space Science Division in general on mission activities, observation campaigns, laboratory science, and flight mission/instrumentation/technology development and advancement projects.
  • Disseminate results through active publication in peer-reviewed journals and participation at scientific meetings/conferences.
  • Actively seek funding by contributing to proposal development in the In Situ Techniques Group and elsewhere in the Space Science Division.
Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:
  • Lead/execute model development using robust analysis methods in consultation with senior project team members to derive important insights into conditions and processes in extraterrestrial environments relevant to planetary missions.
  • Work closely with a team of scientists, engineers, and graduate students while executing fundamental and or applied research on ongoing projects.
  • Attend team meetings to inform the group of progress and results through presentations.
  • Develop science or technical requirements for future hardware development projects.
Requirements:
  • Requires a PhD with a 3.00 GPA in Planetary Science, Astronomy, Geological Sciences, Physics, Applied or Engineering Physics, Chemistry, or related fields.
  • 0 years: Acadmeic demonstration of independent research is required
  • Must show potential to develop an independent research program
  • Experience in geochemical or cosmochemical modeling and interpretation, as well as application of mass spectrometry data are beneficial
Special Requirements:

This is a 1 year limited term assignment with possible extension.

Job Locations: San Antonio, Texas

For more information about this division, visit the Space Science & Engineering home page.

For benefits information at our San Antonio location, click here.
For benefits information at all other locations, click here.

An Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disabled/Veteran
Committed to Diversity in the Workplace

ESA Research Fellowships in Space Science

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Department: Science Directorate
City: Madrid
Category: , , , ,
Country: Spain
Contact Person: Yannis Zouganelis
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: European Space Agency (ESA)
Application Due Date: Monday, September 19 2022
Web Link: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/space-science-faculty/opportunities/research-fellowships

We are pleased to announce the 2022 Call for Applications for the European Space Agency’s Research Fellowships in Space Science. The call is opening on 22 August 2022 with an application deadline on 19 September 2022.

 

ESA’s postdoctoral Research Fellowship programme offers early-career scientists and engineers the possibility to carry out research in a variety of disciplines related to space science, space applications or space technology. Research Fellowships in Space Science & Exploration specifically offer the opportunity to contribute to ESA’s endeavour to explore our Solar System and the Universe, and cover the fields of human and robotic exploration, heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. 

The research fellowships offer unique insights into ESA’s environment and activities while conducting cutting-edge research. Mentoring and training opportunities are available, as are possibilities to engage with ESA science-related activities (e.g., archive/data science, operations, calibration, communication, citizen science). 

Within the Science Directorate (SCI), we welcome all independent proposals for innovative research associated with one or more of our missions. The Space Science fellowships can be taken up at any of the three sites ESAC, ESTEC or STScI and we encourage applicants to choose sites that allow for best local collaborations. To learn more about the research conducted by  the ESA scientists at different sites, please visit the Faculty Member Directory and the pages for the Faculty research groups. There is a separate page for research at the ESA Office at STScI (see also the research of non-ESA scientists at STScI). 

Duration

ESA Research Fellow contracts have a maximum duration of three years. Projects initially last two years and are frequently extended to a third year.

Location

Research Fellowships in Space Science (SCI) can be located at any of the following institutes:

  • European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) in Villafranca del Castillo near Madrid, Spain
  • European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, the Netherlands
  • ESA office at Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Maryland, USA

 

Who can apply

Applicants should have recently completed or be close to completing their PhD in a technical or scientific discipline. Preference will be given to candidates with up to five years of relevant experience after their PhD.

Applications can only be considered from national of one of the 22 ESA Member States. Nationals of Slovenia, Latvia and Lithuania as Associate Members, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Cyprus and Slovakia as European Cooperating States (ECS).

More information on the Research Fellowship programme and on how to apply can be found at https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/space-science-faculty/opportunities/research-fellowships 

 

What we offer 

A stimulating and inspiring working environment is just one of the benefits of working at ESA. Other advantages include competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and comprehensive health coverage. More information about the terms and conditions of ESA Research Fellowships can be found on our careers website.

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. For this purpose, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability, or other characteristics. Applications from female scientists are encouraged.

 

Deadline for applications is 19 September 2022.

Postdoctoral Position in Planetary Astronomy

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Department: Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
City: Pasadena
State/Province: CA
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Katherine de Kleer
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Caltech
Application Due Date: Friday, May 20 2022
Web Link: https://www.gps.caltech.edu/about/positions-available/postdoctoral-positions/postdoctoral-position-planetary-science

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position in planetary astronomy within Caltech’s Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences. The successful applicant will collaborate with the de Kleer research group on the interpretation of thermal data of icy moons and small bodies from ALMA, the VLA, and JWST. The work will involve reduction and analysis of thermal data, as well as collaboration on the development of (sub)surface models which will be used to characterize (sub)surface processes on these worlds. The project requires training in mathematics and physics as well as strong scientific programming skills. Experience working with astronomical or spacecraft data is required, and experience with radio interferometry and/or mid-infrared spectroscopy is preferred. The successful candidate will have opportunities to mentor graduate and undergraduate students.

The start date is flexible, but will be no sooner than June 1, 2022. The initial duration of the position is one year, with renewal for up to two additional years. The position offers a competitive salary, benefits, and annual research budget, as well as access to Caltech’s extensive resources, including the Keck and Palomar Observatories and computational facilities.

Applicants for the position must have a PhD in planetary science, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, geology, or an equivalent field by the date of their appointment. Applicants must provide a CV including a complete list of publications; a 1-2 page statement describing their research interests and experience; and the names of three individuals who can provide letters of recommendation. Application materials should be sent to Jen Shechet ([email protected]) by May 20, 2022. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Professor Katherine de Kleer ([email protected]).

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Click here to read more about Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO).