Postdoctoral Positions at SWIFAR (2024)

Submission Information
Publish Date: 
Monday, November 6, 2023
Archive Date: 
Monday, December 18, 2023
Job Summary
Job Category: 
Post-doctoral Positions and Fellowships
Institution Classification/Type: 
Foreign
Institution/Company: 
Yunnan University (YNU)
Department Name: 
South-Western Institute for Astronomy Research (SWIFAR) at Yunnan University (YNU)
Street Line 1: 
Yunnan Baiyao Street, Chenggong District
City: 
Kunming
State/Province: 
Yunnan
Zip/Postal: 
650500
Country: 
China
Announcement
Job Announcement Text: 

Postdoctoral Positions at SWIFAR (2024)

The South-Western Institute for Astronomy Research (SWIFAR) at Yunnan University (YNU), Kunming, Yunnan Province, PR China, invites applications for SWIFAR research associate positions, starting on April 1, 2024. We seek for qualified applicants in all branches of astronomy and astrophysics.

Being one of the 42 elite universities designated by the Chinese government to strive for building world-class disciplines and universities (“double world-class”), YNU has prioritized astronomy to be one of its key development areas. SWIFAR was established in September 2017. It is designed to be an international center of excellence that promotes Chinese basic research in astronomy and astrophysics with the highest international standards, a forum for global scientific exchange, an incubator for innovative projects, and a training center for national and international postdocs and students. Currently, SWIFAR focuses on studies in three major areas: a) Interstellar Medium and Local Universe; b) Galaxies and Cosmology; and c) High Energy Phenomena and Fundamental Physics. A variety of scientifically stimulating academic activities and programs are routinely organized at SWIFAR. Successful candidates are expected to develop forefront research programs, engage in student training, and contribute actively to the global research environment of the Institute.

Apart from engaging in major national and international collaboration and facility development (e.g., SDSS-V and the Chinese Space Survey Telescope — CSST), SWIFAR is actively developing its own observing facilities, such as the Multi-Channel Photometric Survey Telescope (Mephisto). Mephisto is an optical wide-field survey telescope of 1.6m aperture capable of imaging the sky in three bands (ugi/vrz) simultaneously. It was installed at Gaomeigu Observatory (26.698N, 100.031E; 3200m altitude) in September 2022, equipped with three large-format single sensor pilot cameras, covering a FoV of 0.5 sq.deg., about a quarter of the full FoV. While still under commissioning, Mephisto has already begun to deliver useful data, e.g., in the follow-up observations of SN2022jli in NGC157 and SN2023ixf in M101. The three mosaic CCD cameras covering the full FoV of 2.15 sq.deg. and totaling 1.04 billion pixels are currently under development and expected to be ready in 2024. Mephisto shall deliver ultra-precise, real-time true colors of celestial objects down to a limiting magnitude of g≈22.7 mag, allowing robust identification, classification and astrophysical analysis for millions of variables and transients. Candidates with experiences in wide field imaging surveys and time domain sciences are thus particularly encouraged to apply.

RANK: Research associates.

SALARY: Depending on qualifications and experience.

TERM: Normally three years, extendable depending on performance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Ph.D., or equivalent, in Astronomy, Physics, Planetary Sciences or related fields, completed or expected to complete by effective date, a demonstrated record of research excellence and potential. Candidates of all nationalities are encouraged to apply.

POSITION AVAILABLE: April 1, 2024.

Each applicant should submit a curriculum vita, a summary of research achievements and future plan, and three letters of recommendation (all letters will be treated as confidential documents). It is the responsibility of the applicant to see that all materials, including reference letters, be sent to:

Ms. Mengni Qi

South-Western Institute for Astronomy Research

Rm 1108, Astronomical Building, Yunnan University

Kunming 650500, Yunnan Province

P. R. China.

Email: [email protected]

CLOSING DATE: Applications arrived before December 15, 2023, will receive full considerations.

Included Benefits:

This position is a bona fide, open position, which has not been promised to anyone. It will remain open for at least 30 days.

Application Deadline: December 15, 2023

Selection Deadline: January 31, 2024

Current Status of Position: Accepting Applicants

Application Deadline: 
Friday, December 15, 2023
Selection Deadline: 
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Current Status of Position: 
Accepting Applicants
Apply to Job
Attention To: 
Mengni Qi
Title: 
Ms.
Institution/Company: 
Yunnan University (YNU)
Department Name: 
South-Western Institute for Astronomy Research (SWIFAR) at Yunnan University(YNU)
Street Line 1: 
Yunnan Baiyao Street, Chenggong District
City: 
Kunming
State/Province: 
Yunnan
Zip/Postal Code: 
650500
Country: 
China
Phone: 
+86-0871-65931962
FAX: 
+86-0871-65931962
Institution/Company Job ID or Reference Code: 
Yunnan University (YNU)