Postdoc in Spectroscopy of high redshift galaxies with the James Webb Space Telescope/NIRSpec GTO team

DAWN is a new international basic research center supported by the Danish National Research Foundation, dedicated to uncovering how and when the first galaxies, star and black holes formed. DAWN is located at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, and at the Space division of the Danish Technical University (DTU-Space), and collaborates closely with associate institutions in North America, Europe and Australia.  

The position  

DAWN is seeking a postdoc to work on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to be launched in late 2018. The postdoc will work closely with affiliate professor Peter Jakobsen and the NIRSpec GTO Team on the detailed preparation, analysis and interpretation of the first guaranteed time observations (GTO) to be carried out with the NIRSpec instrument onboard JWST. These observations primarily concern spectroscopic surveys of the high redshift universe employing NIRSpec's novel micro-shutter based multi-object capabilities. The position provides access to some of the earliest JWST data.  

More information about the NIRSpec and its GTO program is available at http://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/jwst-nirspec. For specific inquiries please contact Peter Jakobsen, [email protected] directly.  

For more information about DAWN, please contact Sune Toft, [email protected]

The appointment will be for two years beginning October 15th, 2017 (or as soon as possible thereafter), with the possibility of extension.

The candidate  

The successful applicant will have a solid background in extragalactic astronomy and an interest in state-of-the-art astronomical space instrumentation. Previous experience with multi-object spectroscopy is an advantage. Excellent coding and mathematical skills are essential for contributing to the construction of the software tools needed to operate NIRSpec and analyse its data in an optimal manner. The ability to work within a large international team whose members are scattered across Europe and the United States is also important.  

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.  

Terms of employment  

The starting salary is currently up to DKK 413.717 including annual supplement (+ pension up to DKK 70.746). Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.  

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking the APPLY NOW button on the following webpage : http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/?show=145540