Category: Spectroscopy

Post-Doctoral Research Associate

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
City: Flagstaff
State/Province: AZ
Category: , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Catie Blazek
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Lowell Observatory
Application Due Date: Tuesday, March 14 2017
Web Link: https://lowell.edu/about/employment/

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position at Lowell Observatory to work on the physical characterization of near-Earth objects. This position will be supervised by Dr. Nicholas Moskovitz.

The initial appointment is for one year with annual extensions for up to two additional years in the case of satisfactory progress. The position is expected to be split with 80% of the time dedicated to the main program and 20% for any other research of the postdoctoral associate’s choosing. The start date is negotiable, but the preference would be for late Summer or early Fall 2017. This position is funded by a NASA Near-Earth Object Observations grant and comes with a competitive salary with full benefits. Funding is available for computer resources, attending conferences, and observing runs. Postdocs at Lowell Observatory have access to our 4.3m Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT) as well as 1.8m, 1.1m, and 0.9m telescopes. Lowell offers numerous opportunities for involvement in education and public outreach. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

The postdoctoral associate will work in collaboration with Dr. Moskovitz and other project team members on an ongoing physical characterization survey of near-Earth objects. This survey is working to build a comprehensive dataset of astrometry, rotational light curves, and spectra for hundreds of newly discovered NEOs. Observations are being conducted at a wide range of facilities including Gemini North and South, the SOAR 4m, and Lowell’s DCT.

In addition to assisting with target management and conducting regular (1-2 nights per month) observing runs, the postdoctoral associate will be expected to take a leading role in the survey’s spectroscopic observations, reductions, and analysis. This work will include development of a generalized reduction pipeline for longslit spectral data. The postdoc will be expected to take the lead on publications relevant to this work and will be tasked with public release of the spectroscopic data.

QUALIFICATIONS

– Experience with minor planet observations

– Experience with spectroscopic techniques, data reduction, and analysis.

– Strong programming skills, preferably Python, IDL, and/or IRAF.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

A PhD in physics, astronomy, planetary science, or a closely related field is required by the start date.

 

FLSA Classification:                         Exempt
Compensation Type:                      Salary                   
Status:                                                  Full Time, Regular
Benefit Eligible:                               Yes
Location:                                             Mars Hill, Flagstaff, AZ

To apply: please send a completed Short Form application https://lowell.edu/about/employment/  to [email protected] along with a single PDF document incorporating the following:

* A cover letter (1 page)

* A Curriculum Vitae

* A statement of research accomplishments and future research plans. Candidates should explicitly describe how their experience is relevant to this position. (3 pages)

* Phone numbers and e-mail addresses of three references

Review of applications will begin on 15 March 2017.

Lowell Observatory is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and provides equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital and family status.

Lowell Observatory provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. This nonsmoking campus is at an elevation of 7,000 ft/2100m. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources office for assistance.

VERSION January 4, 2017/HR

 

 

 

 

Post-doc position: Comet science/Infrared/Rosetta

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: LESIA
City: Meudon
Category: ,
Country: France
Contact Person: Dominique Bockelee-Morvan
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: LESIA, Observatory of Paris
Application Due Date: Tuesday, February 28 2017

Post-doctoral position for the analysis of VIRTIS/Rosetta data

    A 2-year post-doctoral position in cometary science is opened at the Observatory of Paris (LESIA, CNRS, Meudon). Successful candidates will be expected to start their fellowship before October 2017.

  The successfull applicant will analyse infrared spectra of the atmosphere of comet 67P/Churyomov-Gerasimenko obtained with the high-spectral resolution channel of the VIRTIS/Rosetta instrument (Visible Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer) built at the Observatory of Paris. The project will focuss on the study of the distributions of H2O, CO2 gases and organics, and their seasonal, diurnal, and regional variations to understand the processes which control cometary activity. Other topics of interest could be considered. The applicant will benefit of a dynamic research environment, with the possibility to interact with scientists involved in several Rosetta instruments. Conference travel and equipment support will be provided.

    A PhD in astrophysics is required. The following skills will be considered in the evaluation process of the applicants :

  – working knowledge in planetary science, and comets

  – expertise in the reduction of infrared spectroscopic observations

  – knowledge in radiative transfer

  – previous experience in space missions, in particular Rosetta, is an asset.

  Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae with a list of publications, a short review of previous works and statement of research interest. They should arrange for two reference letters. Applications should be sent via email to [email protected]. The closing date is 28 February 2017.  

3-year postdoctoral position

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
City: Orsay
Category: , , , ,
Country: France
Contact Person: François Poulet
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale, Université Paris-Sud
Application Due Date: Friday, September 15 2017
Web Link: http://www.ptal.eu

The Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale (IAS, University Paris Sud) is seeking for a 3-year postdoctoral fellowship on the Horizon-2020 funded program PTAL (Planetary Terrestrial Analogues Library). The PTAL project aims to build and exploit a multi-instrument spectral data base and joint spectral interpretation tools using various techniques (XRD, SEM, LIBS, IR and Raman spectroscopy), in order to support current and future investigations of planetary space missions.

The main purpose of the fellowship is to characterize well-defined rock and mineral samples with flight spare models and to compare the derived compositions of samples with remote and in situ data of instruments onboard planetary space missions (Martian missions, Hayabusa2, BepiColombo). The activities of the successful applicant shall consist in 1) acquiring near-infrared spectra of XRD- and SEM-characterized rock samples (resulting from field trips and alteration experiments) using flight spare models of MicrOmega (Hayabusa-2 and ExoMars20) and NIR lab spectrometers at IAS facilities, 2) acquiring LIBS spectra of the characterized samples using the qualification model of ChemCam/Mars Science Laboratory, 3) analyzing the NIR and LIBS spectral data and document these analyses, 4) performing coordinated analyses of the Martian surface from orbital and landed platforms with the new spectral data.

The PTAL consortium (https://ptal.eu/) consists of three partners, located in Norway (Oslo Univ.), France (Paris Sud Univ.) and Spain (Valladolid Univ.). The fellowship will have also the opportunity to be in contact with other research labs (Japan, Germany, France, USA). LIBS measurements will be performed at the IRAP/Toulouse laboratory who is in charge of the LIBS instrument onboard MSL.
Applicants are requested to submit a brief cover letter and curriculum vitae.
For further information and application submission please contact [email protected]

 

Comets/Rosetta infrared data

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: LESIA
City: Meudon
Category: , ,
Country: France
Contact Person: Dominique Bockelee-Morvan
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Observatory of Paris
Application Due Date: Sunday, September 25 2016

A 2-year post-doctoral position in cometary science is opened at the Observatory of Paris (LESIA, CNRS, Meudon), beginning in fall 2016.

The successfull applicant will analyse infrared spectra of the atmosphere of comet 67P/Churyomov-Gerasimenko obtained with the high-spectral resolution channel of the VIRTIS/Rosetta instrument (Visible Infrred Thermal Imaging Spectrometer) built at the Observatory of Paris. The project will focuss on the study of the distributions of H2O and CO2 gases, and their seasonal, diurnal, and regional variations to understand the processes which control cometary activity. Other topics of interest could be considered.

The applicant will benefit of a dynamic research environment, with the possibility to interact with scientists involved in several Rosetta instruments. Conference travel and equipment support will be provided.

A PhD in astrophysics is required. The following skills will be considered in the evaluation process of the applicants :
– working knowledge in planetary science, and comets
– expertise in the reduction of infrared spectroscopic observations
– knowledge in radiative transfer
– previous experience in space missions, in particular Rosetta, is an asset.

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae with a list of publications, a short review of previous works and statement of research interest. They should arrange for two reference letters. The closing date is 25 September 2016. Late applications can be considered, until the position is filled. Applications should be sent via email to [email protected].

The project is funded by Paris Sciences Lettres University (program IRIS OCAV).

Experimental Planetary Sciences (EPS)

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: Planetary Sciences Section
City: Pasadena
State/Province: California
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Dr. Murthy Gudipati
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
Application Due Date: Thursday, December 31 2015

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Postdoctoral Scholars Program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in JPL’s Ice Spectroscopy Laboratory (ISL).

The research will involve laboratory simulations to understand surface processes on icy bodies such as Europa and on Titan. Dr. Murthy Gudipati (Principal Scientist), in JPL’s Planetary Sciences Section, will serve as JPL postdoctoral advisor to the selected candidate. Candidates should have a recent PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Planetary Science, or related scientific area with a strong background in advanced laboratory physical chemistry/chemical physics . Experience in planetary sciences, astrochemistry, and astrobiology is highly desirable. Candidates who have received their PhD within the past five years since the date of their application are eligible. This positions is for one-year and may be renewed up to a maximum of three years based on performance and availability of funds. Arrange for 2-3 letters of reference letters to be sent to:

 

Dr. Murthy Gudipati (+1-818-354-2637)

E-Mail: murthy.gudipati(at)jpl.nasa.gov

Caltech and JPL are equal opportunity/affirmative action employers. Women, minorities, veterans, and disabled persons are encouraged to apply.

Tenure Track Faculty Position in Space Sciences

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Current state: Review
Department: Physical Sciences
City: Daytona Beach
State/Province: FL
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Matthew Zettergren
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Application Due Date: Tuesday, January 05 2016

The Department of Physical Sciences at the Daytona Beach campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University invites applications for a Tenure-Track faculty position in areas of space- or ground-based instrumentation and space systems engineering with applications to space, atmospheric, planetary, or earth sciences. The successful candidate is expected to pursue an actively funded experimental research program, and to teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students. This position will be at the Assistant Professor level. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in engineering, physics, or a related science discipline and be available by August 15, 2016.
The Physical Sciences Department has over 30 faculty members and has greatly expanded its space and upper atmospheric research activities over the past decade. This increased research activity has recently culminated in the founding of the Center for Space and Atmospheric Research. The department is home to one of the leading ABET-accredited undergraduate Engineering Physics programs in the US, as well as expanding BS Space Physics, BS Astronomy & Astrophysics, MS and PhD Engineering Physics programs.
Review of applications will begin on January 5, 2016. Applications should be submitted online and include a cover letter, CV, statements of research interests and teaching philosophy, as well as the contact information of at least three professional references. All materials should be submitted through the link at:  http://eraucareers.erau.edu; click on “Career Search”, and search for “Engineering Physics” at location Daytona Beach. Inquiries may be addressed to the search committee chair: Matthew Zettergren, [email protected], 386-226-7006.

 

Research Scientist/Sr. Research Scientist

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: Space Sciences and Engineering
City: San Antonio
State/Province: Texas
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Institution: Southwest Research Institute
Application Due Date: Wednesday, June 10 2015
Web Link: https://resapp.swri.org/ResApp/Job_Search_Results.aspx?DETAIL=15-01144

The UV imaging spectrograph group at SwRI is seeking postdoctoral to mid-career planetary scientists to join our team’s investigations of a variety of science questions using far-UV observations. Topics of study include: 1) Characterization of volatiles within permanently shaded regions at the lunar poles with the Lyman Alpha Mapping Project (LAMP) imaging spectrograph on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO); 2) Imaging Jupiter’s powerful auroral emissions with the Juno UV Spectrograph (UVS); 3) Studying the atmosphere of Pluto with the New Horizons Alice instrument; 4) Analysis of Hubble campaign observations in search of water vapor plumes on Europa; and/or 5) Instrument development work related to the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) UVS investigation and other future UV/optical projects in Astrophysics, Planetary Science, Heliophysics, and Earth Sciences. Candidates are encouraged to develop their own additional research projects.

 

Must have experience with imaging and/or spectroscopy from space-based or ground-based observatories. Strong programming skills with Interactive Data Language (IDL) is preferred. A background in scientific analysis and publications related to one or more of the topics listed above is highly desirable. Specific tasks include: analyze UV spectral imaging datasets; assist with planning future observations; publish results in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at professional meetings; develop concepts and new technologies for UV/Vis/IR instrumentation; assist with flight instrument integration, test and calibration tasks; lead and/or assist proposal writing for new business.

 

Postdoctoral candidates are referenced to job posting number 15-01143. Research Scientist/Senior Research Scientist candidates with (or soon to have) 2-3 years of postdoctoral experience may reference job code 15-01144.

 

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran

Committed to Diversity in the Workplace

Post-Doc at the Observatório Nacional, Rio de Janeiro: Atmospheric structure of extrasolar planets

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: COAA
City: Rio de Janeiro
State/Province: RJ
Category: , , ,
Country: Brazil
Contact Person: Alvaro Alvarez-Candal
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Observatório Nacional - MCTI
Application Due Date: Sunday, February 01 2015

Applications are invited for a post-doctoral position in the Planetary Sciences group at the Observatório Nacional (ON) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (http://www.on.br/coaa/cipla.html). Successful applicants will work on the joint project, funded under the Science without Borders program, between the ON and the University of Arizona (UA, USA) “The Atmospheric Structure of Extrasolar Planets” co-lead by Dr. Alvaro Alvarez-Candal (ON) and Prof. Caitlin Griffith (UA). The project centers on novel techniques to observe and study extrasolar atmospheres via spectroscopic observations and radiative transfer analyses. Candidates with knowledge of spectroscopy and observational astronomy, as well planetary atmospheres, are especially, although not exclusively, encouraged to apply. The successful applicant will be expected to participate on project-related work, although individual/independent research is not discouraged.

The successful applicant will develop his or her research at ON, which is located in the north part of the city of Rio de Janeiro. As one of the leading astronomical institutions in Brazil, ON’s research groups range from planetary sciences to cosmology and engage in many international projects, such as SDSS 4 or J-PAS. It has a welcoming environment where students, post-docs, and researchers interact.

Applicants should send a short CV, publication record, and short description of research interests to [email protected] as well as two reference letters to the same e-mail address. Full consideration will be given to applications sent by February 1st. 2015. The position is available immediately for one year with a possible renewal, subjected to performance review.

For more information please contact Dr. Alvaro Alvarez-Candal ([email protected]) and/or Prof. Caitlin Griffith ([email protected])

Post Doctoral Scientist- NEO Follow Up – LCOGT

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Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
City: Goleta
State/Province: CA
Category: , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Maida Smith
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Las Cumbres Observatory/UCSB
Application Due Date: Monday, December 01 2014
Web Link: http://lcogt.net/

The Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network, Inc. (LCOGT) and University of California, Santa Barbara seek a postdoctoral scientist to work on the follow up of Near Earth Objects (NEOs) and the creation of citizen science program.  The ideal candidate should have demonstrated expertise in observations of Solar System objects and experience with software development, although candidate from other astrophysical fields with strong software background are also encouraged.

 

This position is funded by a grant from NASA to:

1) develop and exploit the LCOGT global network of robotic telescopes for NEO follow-up;

2) lead photometric and spectroscopic characterization of NEOs; and

3) assist in the creation of a web-based citizen science environment for Solar System investigations by the general public.

The successful candidate will also contribute to the overall mission of the observatory – the creation of a worldwide network of robotic telescopes specializing in time domain astronomy.

 

LCOGT currently operates ten 1 meter and two 2 meter robotic telescopes, which will be used in this program.  The 2 meter Faulkes Telescopes in Haleakala, Hawaii, and Siding Spring, Australia feature imagers and robotic FLOYDS low-resolution spectrographs.  The 1 meter telescopes have imagers and are located at McDonald Observatory in Texas, CTIO in Chile, Siding Spring in Australia, and SAAO in South Africa.

 

Applicants should submit a CV, cover letter, and research statement, and should arrange to have three letters of reference sent to [email protected].  Electronic PDF submissions are preferred. Applications complete by December 1, 2014 will receive full consideration. A Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or a related discipline is required.  The term of this position is 3 years.  The Department of Physics and LCOGT are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research. LCOGT and UCSB are equal opportunity employers.

 

This position has the option to be held as an employee of UCSB and thus receive the UCSB benefit package for Postdoctoral Scholars or held as a direct employee of LCOGT with similar benefits, but still affiliated to UCSB. For further information on UCSB benefits, go to  http://hr.ucsb.edu/benefits/postdoctoral-scholars and reference Title Code 3252.

 

The desired start date is 1 January, 2015.

Post Doctoral Scientist- NEO Follow Up – LCOGT

Posted on
Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
City: Goleta
State/Province: CA
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Maida Smith
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Las Cumbres Observatory/UCSB
Application Due Date: Sunday, August 31 2014

The Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network, Inc. (LCOGT) and University of California, Santa Barbara seek a postdoctoral scientist to work on follow up of Near Earth Objects (NEOs).  The ideal candidate should have demonstrated expertise in observations of Solar System objects and experience with software development.  This position is funded by a grant from NASA to 1) develop and exploit the global telescope network of LCOGT for NEO follow-up; 2) lead photometric and spectroscopic characterization of NEOs; and 3) assist in the creation of a web-based environment for Solar System investigations by citizen scientists. The successful candidate will also contribute to the overall mission of the observatory – the creation of a worldwide network of robotic telescopes specializing in time domain astronomy. The postdoc has the option to be affiliated with UCSB and have offices at both UCSB and LCOGT and have access to the observing resources of both institutions. They can also benefit from proximity to the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics.  The desired start date for this position is October 1st, 2014.

 

LCOGT is a privately funded global robotic observatory network, which operates ten 1 meter and two 2 meter robotic telescopes.  The 2 meter Faulkes Telescopes in Haleakala, Hawaii, and Siding Spring, Australia feature imagers and robotic FLOYDS low-resolution spectrographs.  The 1 meter telescopes have imagers and are located at McDonald Observatory in Texas, CTIO in Chile, Siding Spring in Australia, and SAAO in South Africa.

 

Applicants should submit a CV, cover letter, and research statement, and should arrange to have three letters of reference sent to [email protected].  Electronic PDF submissions are preferred. Applications complete by August 31, 2014 will receive full consideration. A Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or a related discipline is required.  The term of this position is 3 years.  The Department of Physics and LCOGT are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research.  LCOGT and UCSB are equal opportunity employers.

 

This position has the option to be held as an employee of UCSB and thus receive the UCSB benefit package for Postdoctoral Scholars or held as a direct employee of LCOGT with similar benefits.  For further information on UCSB benefits, go to:  http://hr.ucsb.edu/benefits/postdoctoral-scholars and reference Title Code 3252.