We invite candidates with interest and experience in astronomical instrumentation to apply for a position to help design, build and commission the NSF funded NIR Habitable-Zone Planet Finder (HPF) spectrograph for the Hobby-Eberly telescope. HPF is a 0.9-1.35 micron R~50,000 cross-dispersed echelle operating at 160-200K. and is being designed to achieve high RV precision on M dwarfs, enabling discovery of low mass planets. The successful candidate will work closely with Suvrath Mahadevan and Larry Ramsey on the HPF project at Penn State. It is expected that candidate’s primary interest will astronomical instrumentation, and they will have the interest and ability to spend considerable time in the lab. We are looking for someone to contribute to some subset of cryogenics system implementation, optical fibers, fiber scrambling, optical and mechanical design and alignment, control systems. Some experience in precision RV techniques will be considered an asset
Applications are due before January 5, 2013. A CV, research statement, and three letters of recommendation should be sent to suvrath@astro.psu.edu. Applications should clearly state earliest possible start dates if offered the position. A Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or a related field is required. The position is for one year initially with an extension for additional years possible. Up to two hires may be made.
Employment will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its workforce.
