Postdoctoral Research Associate in Gravitational Lensing and Quasar Physics

Description: Applications are invited for a position as a postdoctoral research associate in gravitational lensing and quasar physics at the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) Physics Department in support of Professor Christopher Morgan. The successful applicant will supervise the USNA/U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) lensed quasar monitoring program, a collaborative effort between these two institutions to provide regular optical/NIR monitoring of lensed quasars at northern declination. The position will involve analysis of lensed quasar light curves at optical and X-ray wavelengths (Chandra data) in collaboration with investigators at Ohio State, The University of Oklahoma, the CfA and the EPFL, Lausanne Switzerland. The position will require periodic travel to USNO, Flagstaff, AZ and will afford opportunities for optical instrumentation and/or adaptive optics work at USNO Flagstaff. The successful candidate will also be encouraged to pursue research of their own choosing.

Qualifications:

Minimum: A Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics or a related discipline is required.

U.S. Citizenship is required

Preferred: Experience in gravitational lensing, quasar physics, cluster computing and/or astronomical instrumentation is preferred, but not required.

Term: The position begins as early as Spring 2021 and no later than September 2021 for an initial period of one year, with a likely extension to two years pending a positive performance review.

How to Apply:

1. The procedure for application can be found at the US Naval Academy Human Resources page:

https://www.usna.edu/HRO/jobinfo/PHYS-ResearchAsst-AY2021.ph

2. Applications will be reviewed beginning February 1 2021, but the position will remain open until filled.