Postdoctoral Research Associate

The University of Arizona Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work with Dr. Chad Bender and collaborators on projects related to the measurement of extreme precision radial velocities for the characterization of exoplanets, and other applications of high-resolution spectroscopy. Applicants with an interest in developing algorithms to push the envelope in RV precision are particularly encouraged to apply. The review of applications will begin on January 15 and continue until the position is filled. The position has an anticipated start date of summer/fall 2022, although earlier start dates are possible. Funding is available for up to three years; annual renewal will be based on performance. 

The successful applicant will join the NEID & HPF software and science teams, where they will have the opportunity to participate in ongoing and new GTO and GO investigations using these instruments. NEID is the flagship radial velocity instrument of the NASA/NSF NN-Explore program. The spectrometer was commissioned in the first half of 2021, and is now carrying out regular science operations at the WIYN 3.5m observatory, with a RV precision of ~30 cm/s. HPF is near-infrared spectrometer that has been operating at the 10-m Hobby-Eberly Telescope for the past 3 years, and is currently conducting extensive follow-up of TESS candidates, and other low mass exoplanets. Existing data pipelines routinely process data from both instruments. The postdoc will spend a portion of their time improving these existing codes and developing new algorithms. Opportunities exist for the postdoc to work on techniques for advanced telluric correction, characterization of stellar activity, innovative wavelength and instrument drift characterization, and line-by-line based RV measurements, as well as a variety of other topics. 

Opportunities exist for occasional onsite work at Kitt Peak National Observatory and at McDonald Observatory, and for gaining experience in instrumentation and instrument maintenance. Salary will be commensurate with experience. In addition to science collaborations within the NEID & HPF team, the applicant will have access to and is encouraged to utilize the observing facilities at Steward Observatory (through the Arizona TAC), including the LBT, MMT, Magellan, and small telescopes on Kitt Peak & Mt. Lemmon. 

To submit an online application to the UA, go to https://talent.arizona.edu/ and search for "req7710" Applications should include a curriculum vitae, publication list, statement of research that includes descriptions of previous software development efforts and future research interests, and contact information for three references. Reference letters will be solicited by UofA directly from the references at a later time.

Selection deadline: January 15, 2022