Spatially-resolved extragalactic astronomy with GIRMOS and JWST

We invite applications for a postdoctoral position from astronomers expert with infrared and/or integral field spectroscopy. The postdoctoral fellow will lead the design and development of the data reduction tools for GIRMOS — a state-of-the-art multi-IFU infrared spectrograph that will be fed by the new GNAO adaptive optics system that’s also under construction for Gemini-North. GIRMOS recently completed its Preliminary Design Phase and is now moving into final design followed by construction, with commissioning expected in 2026. For more information on GIRMOS see https://www.gemini.edu/instrumentation/future-instruments/girmos

The postdoctoral fellow will also have opportunities to carry out independent or collaborative research. This will include the opportunity to participate in the 200-hour JWST Guaranteed Time Observer (GTO) program “CANUCS” that, starting in October 2022, will use JWST’s NIRISS slitless spectrograph to carry out an imaging and spatially-resolved low-resolution grism survey of ~10,000 galaxies behind (and in) five massive z~0.5 clusters. These data will result in spatial maps of key physical quantities such as stellar populations, ionized gas, metallicity, dust, etc., and will be ideal for studies of galaxies - many gravitationally lensed - out to the Epoch of Reionization.  For more information on the program, see http://www.stsci.edu/jwst/phase2-public/1208.pdf

The fellow will be located at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, a major centre on the Atlantic coast of Canada that’s rich in culture and close to nature. They will work within Dr. Marcin Sawicki’s research group, which will consist of 4 postdoctoral fellows and several graduate students embedded within the astronomy research ecosystem in the Department and the Institute for Computational Astrophysics. Beyond this local environment, the fellow will also be connected to the broader GIRMOS and CANUCS JWST GTO teams. The fellow will have time for independent research and will be eligible to apply for Canadian observing time on JWST, Gemini, CFHT, and ALMA, and for high-performance computing resources through Compute Canada.

The appointment is expected to start on 1 October 2022, with an earlier or later start possible. Subject to satisfactory performance and mutual agreement, the appointment is expected to continue through the commissioning of GIRMOS in 2026 and early science operations beyond.

We appreciate and welcome diversity, and hire on the basis of merit. We encourage applications from qualified women, visible minorities, Indigenous people, and people with disabilities, and we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

Applicants should submit a CV, a statement of research interests and accomplishments, and arrange for three letters of reference to be sent directly by the referees. All application material should be addressed to Dr. Marcin Sawicki and submitted electronically, by 1 July 2022, to [email protected]