Research Scientist

Research Scientist

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

The MIT Department of Earth Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences seeks a research scientist to join the extension of the SPECULOOS project to the Northern Hemisphere. To this date, the SPECULOOS project has already led to the discovery of the seven terrestrial TRAPPIST-1 planets. As a member of the MIT group, will co-supervise the installation of the telescope, ensure its technical support, and co-supervise its research program, mainly at MIT, but with some travel to the observatory in (Teide Observatory, Tenerife, Spain). Will work with other members of the SPECULOOS consortium during the construction phase, design the reduction and analysis pipelines, and be responsible of the optimal integration of the telescope with the current SPECULOOS network. Will manage the observations (scheduling and weather checks) and respond to alerts (dome failures, filter wheels) which might require travelling to observatory; guide students and postdocs associated with the planet finding initiative of the group and interact with the TESS initiative as needed; and be involved in the design and implementation of follow up programs of the planets to be found with other ground- and space-based observatories (notably the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes) and in the development of the open-source data-science software required for the group members.

Additional information on project can be found at https://eapsweb.mit.edu/giving-alumni/new-worlds-new-priorities.

Requirements: 

• A Ph.D. in astronomy or related field, demonstrated experience in observational exoplanetary science (notably with ground-based transit searches), a demonstrated record of scientific research, and excellent coding and data science skills.
• Must be able to work in an extended collaboration with informal reporting and minimal supervision.

Interested candidates may apply online at http://web.mit.edu/jobs. Please reference job number 15453 and indicate where you saw this posting.

The deadline for applications is January 15, 2018.

 MIT is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.