Postdoctoral positions in cosmology

The cosmology group at Duke University invites applications for multiple research scientist or postdoctoral positions in the area of cosmology (experimental, observational and theoretical), time-domain and galaxy cluster astrophysics, and new techniques in statistical and image analysis. The cosmology group is composed of Profs. Arun Kannawadi, Dan Scolnic, Michael Troxel, Eve Vavagiakis and Chris Walter, working on current and next generation experiments, including CCAT, CMB-S4, the Dark Energy Survey, Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, the Rubin Observatory LSST, and the Simons Observatory. The Duke cosmology group currently consists of about ten PhD students and four postdocs or research scientists, and will continue to grow and expand. We are committed to building a group that is inclusive and representative of our community. For this reason, we strongly encourage applicants who come from groups that are historically underrepresented in physics departments.

We seek the following applicants: 

1) Research scientist: 

This senior postdoctoral-level researcher would help to lead the OpenUniverse multi-institution image and survey simulation and calibration effort with Profs. Arun Kannawadi and Michael Troxel at Duke. This effort is meant to support and contribute to simulation resources relevant for any precision cosmology surveys, including the Roman Space Telescope and the Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). They will also be a member of the weak lensing and the SN Ia Project Infrastructure Teams for the Roman project and contribute to preparing for Roman science. Funding for this position is expected to continue for at least four years, though applicants are not expected to commit to this full period.

Apply for this position at: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/26058

2) Postdoctoral researcher (CMB/submillimeter):

This researcher would work with Prof. Eve Vavagiakis to support CCAT, the Simons Observatory, and/or CMB-S4, with opportunities for joint analyses with data from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope and optical surveys. The researcher will lead and contribute to projects in a variety of potential topics, including the development of new instrumentation and superconducting detector technologies for upcoming surveys, and pipeline development and data analysis for cosmology and astrophysics. 

Candidates are expected to be experienced with relevant instrumentation (cryogenics, mechanical design, low-temperature electronics, superconducting devices) and data analysis techniques in cosmology/millimeter or submillimeter wave astronomy, and to have strong oral and written communication skills.

Apply for this position at: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/26059

3) Two or more postdoctoral researchers (weak lensing and galaxy clustering):

These researchers will work with Prof. Michael Troxel to lead large-scale structure (weak lensing and galaxy clustering) projects primarily in the Roman Project Infrastructure Teams (PITs), the LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration, and the OpenUniverse simulation effort. They will ideally contribute to building the Roman weak lensing and galaxy clustering calibration and measurement pipeline ahead of the Roman launch in late 2026, while taking advantage of early LSST data and existing Dark Energy Survey data for science analyses. Funding for these positions is expected to continue for at least four years, though applicants are not expected to commit to this full period.

Apply for this position at: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/26088

More information on the group can be found at https://phy.duke.edu/research/research-areas/astrophysics.

These positions have an initial appointment for two years, renewable upon mutual agreement and availability of funding. Positions are generally expected to begin by the start of the Fall 2024 Duke semester. Candidates must have a Ph.D. by the date of appointment in astronomy, physics, or a relevant field. Applicants should prepare a cover letter, a current CV and list of publications, a research statement of less than three pages describing past accomplishments and research goals, and arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent. Applicants are encouraged to describe in their cover letter how their scholarship and experience would contribute to a diverse and inclusive community.

Applications received by December 15 will be guaranteed consideration, but applicants will continue to be reviewed until all positions are filled.

For positions that are mainly focussed on simulation and software development, remote and/or hybrid work arrangements are possible.

Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunities without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.