Postdoctoral Scholar- Data Intensive Research in Astrophysics and Cosmology

We invite applications for the 2022 DiRAC Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Washington. These 3-year postdoctoral positions are available to promising early-career scientists who:

Are ready to engage in self-directed research that complements or extends the work done at UW’s Institute for Data-Intensive Research in Astrophysics and Cosmology (DiRAC; https://dirac.astro.washington.edu). Active areas include: Astronomical Software Research, Solar System Science, Milky Way structure, the Variable and Transient Universe, Extragalactic Science, and Cosmology.

Are excited by the prospect of leading and participating in early science with the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST; http://lsst.org).

Are enthusiastic about exploring and applying new statistical and computational techniques to astronomical data sets, and extending current methodology to be applicable in the era of big data.

Look forward to collaborating with software engineers and researchers across all areas of astrophysics and fields such as computer science and statistics.

Applicants must demonstrate excellence in research that complements or builds upon ongoing research directions within the DiRAC Institute. Those with promising research programs and ideas involving first science with LSST are especially encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will work with the current DiRAC faculty and researchers to develop their own programs of research and innovation.

DiRAC (http://dirac.astro.washington.edu) is an institute within the Astronomy Department at the University of Washington. Its mission is to expand the frontiers of astrophysics enabled by breakthroughs in large surveys, data-intensive algorithms, and software. The Institute comprises six faculty and senior fellows, and over 30 postdoctoral researchers, research scientists, software engineers and graduate students. DiRAC leads the construction of Rubin Observatory’s time domain and solar system processing pipelines, is a founding hub of LINCC, the LSST Interdisciplinary Network for Computing and Collaboration (https://www.lsstcorporation.org/lincc/), co-leads the LINCC Frameworks program to provide advances in software infrastructure needed to enable LSST analyses (https://www.lsstcorporation.org/lincc/frameworks), and hosts the LINCC Science Platform (https://lsst.dirac.dev).

Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.

Qualifications

A Ph.D or foreign equivalent degree in astronomy, physics, computer science, or a related subject is required. The initial appointment is for two years, renewable for a third year, and offers competitive salary and benefits. The appointment is expected to start no later than September 2022.

Application Instructions

Materials must be submitted through Interfolio. Please use the following link: https://apply.interfolio.com/98319

Applicants must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, research statement (maximum length 3 pages, addressing both current work and laying out research ideas for the 3-year fellowship), diversity statement, as well as contact information for three letters of recommendation.

We encourage applicants to follow the AAS Postdoctoral Application Guidelines in preparing these materials (https://jobregister.aas.org/postdoc-application-guidelines). Candidates should address in their application how their work potentially complements, connects to, or extends current research efforts at DiRAC, or indicate how they would benefit from expertise available at DiRAC. Candidates should highlight work and ideas related to first science with LSST. We also encourage candidates to highlight work and achievements related to data-intensive astronomy that they are enthusiastic about, but do not easily fit within traditional metrics of academic success (e.g. open-source software development, development of teaching or outreach materials, diversity work, etc).

The diversity statement should address how your activities at UW could contribute to the diversity, equity and inclusivity goals (maximum length 1 page; for more information see http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/).

Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled, but should be received by December 10th, 2021 for full consideration. Please email [email protected]u if you have any questions.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements and Information

Under Washington State Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.1, University of Washington (UW) workers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof thereof, or receive a UW-approved medical or religious exemption. This requirement will be a condition of any offer associated with this recruitment. For more information, please visit https://www.washington.edu/coronavirus/vaccination-requirement/.