Swift Post Doc at NASA GSFC

Submission Information
Publish Date: 
Friday, October 26, 2018
Archive Date: 
Friday, November 23, 2018
Job Summary
Job Category: 
Post-doctoral Positions and Fellowships
Institution Classification/Type: 
Large Academic
Institution/Company: 
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Department Name: 
Center for Space Science and Technology
Street Line 1: 
1000 Hilltop Circle
Street Line 2: 
Physics 326
City: 
Baltimore
State/Province: 
MD
Zip/Postal: 
21250
Country: 
United States of America
Announcement
Job Announcement Text: 

Applications are now being accepted for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate to work on a multi-wavelength study of flare stars and their impact on exoplanet habitability at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). This position is funded through the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and the Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology II (CRESST II), in conjunction with the GSFC Exoplanets and Stellar Astrophysics Laboratory.

The successful candidate will be joining a group of scientists studying exoplanets and stellar activity using ground and space-based data. Models predict a combination of flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and energetic particles from active low mass stars can strip exoplanet atmospheres. However, these predictions rely on extrapolating by orders of magnitude relations from the Sun’s radiation environment to model space weather events on low-mass stars. To test these predictions empirically, the candidate will analyze multi-wavelength data of flare stars taken simultaneously with Swift (X-ray/UV), VLA (radio), HST (UV), TESS (optical photometry), and additional ground-based facilities that have been acquired for a pilot program for a select set of low-mass stars. The candidate will also partake in a larger program that includes flare stars that span a wide range of masses and ages. The candidate will be affiliated with Goddard’s Sellers Exoplanet Environments Collaboration (SEEC), a new collaboration that fosters interdisciplinary research with researchers from Goddard’s Astrophysics, Planetary, Heliophysics, and Earth Sciences Divisions. The candidate can work with SEEC researchers to connect these observations with climate and dynamical models to explore how space weather impacts the habitability of exoplanets orbiting cool stars.

Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in astrophysics, heliophysics, or a related field. Experience in any of the following disciplines, while not required, is desirable: transit photometry, UV/X-ray/radio data reduction, time series analysis.

For best consideration submit a Curriculum Vita, list of publications, statement of research interests, and contact information for three references by Nov 30, 2018 (application materials will be accepted until the position is filled) to:

Flare Stars Postdoc

CRESST/UMBC

Mail Code 660.8, NASA/GSFC Greenbelt, MD 20771, or

Via e-mail to [email protected]

Salary and benefits are competitive, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The position is available immediately. The initial appointment term will be one year, renewable. For more information about the proposed research, contact Dr. Thomas Barclay ([email protected]). For information on CRESST II or positions with UMBC, contact Dr. Jane Turner ([email protected]).

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans.

Pay Compensation
Compensation Notes: 
Salary and benefits are competitive, commensurate with experience and qualifications
Included Benefits: 

Generous benefits package through the State of Maryland, including, but not limited to, retirement, health insurance, generous leave package, tuition remission.

Application Deadline: 
Friday, November 30, 2018
Selection Deadline: 
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Current Status of Position: 
Accepting Applicants
Apply to Job
Attention To: 
Virginia Peles
Title: 
Program Management Specialist
Institution/Company: 
CRESST II
Street Line 1: 
NASA GSFC
Street Line 2: 
Code 660.8 Building 28, Rm W272
City: 
GREENBELT
State/Province: 
MD
Zip/Postal Code: 
20771
Country: 
United States of America
Phone: 
3012869563
Inquiries About Job
Attention To: 
Dr. Thomas Barclay
Subject: 
Swift Post Doc