Small Aphelion Postdoctoral Researcher - ID# 18008

SMALL APHELION POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER – ID# 18008

Regular, Full-Time, RCUH Non-Civil Service position with the Institute for Astronomy (IfA), located in Honolulu, Hawai‘i.  Continuation of employment is dependent upon program/operational needs, satisfactory work performance, availability of funds, and compliance with applicable Federal/State laws. 

DUTIES:  Participates in projects designed to discover and study Potentially Hazardous Objects (PHOs), including asteroids and comets, that may pass close to or impact Earth, with the main focus being discovery and characterization of Near Earth Objects (NEOs) with small aphelion.  Data will come primarily from the Subaru Telescope and the Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope (CFHT), located on Maunakea, Hawai‘i.  Supplementary data may come from the Pan-STARRS telescopes located on Haleakala, Maui.  Participates in projects that may require observing at various observatories in Hawai‘i and around the world to obtain images and spectroscopy of asteroids and comets.  Performs astrometric, photometric, and spectrometric analysis of images and spectra.  Obtains, modifies, and develops software as required for data analysis and research.  Develops and improves software, algorithms and techniques for finding NEOs in data from Hyper-Suprime-Cam on Subaru, and MegaCam on Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope (CFHT).  Writes observing proposals.  Performs research related to NEOs and hazards to Earth from comets and asteroids.  Prepares results for publication and writes refereed journal papers.  May require interisland travel.  REQUIRES:  PhD from an accredited college or university in Astronomy or a directly related field (PhD candidates may apply but must submit evidence of PhD completion upon hire).  At least two (2) years of experience working on NEOs.  Experience with computer programming, telescopic observing, image processing, the astronomical techniques of spectrometry, photometry, astrometry, orbit determination and propagation, and the preparation of scientific papers.  Knowledge of modern programming languages, such as C scripting languages (i.e. Perl and Python).  Strong working knowledge of the Linux and Macintosh operating systems. Able to perform image analysis with image processing software, such as Image Reduction Analysis Facility (IRAF), Interactive Data Language (IDL), or similar software.  Must be able to work at 14,000 feet and pass a post offer high-altitude medical examination.  INQUIRIES:  Dr. Richard Wainscoat 808-956-8429 (Oahu).  CLOSING DATE:  February 3, 2018. 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Please go to www.rcuh.com and click on “Job Postings.” You must submit the following documents online to be considered for the position: 1) Cover Letter, 2) Resume, 3) Salary History, 4) Supervisory References, 5) Copy of Degree(s)/Transcript(s)/Certificate(s). All online applications must be submitted/received by the closing date (11:59 P.M. Hawai‘i Standard Time/RCUH receipt time) as stated on the job posting. If you do not have access to our system and the closing date is imminent, you may send additional documents to [email protected]. If you have questions on the application process and/or need assistance, please call (808)956-8344 or (808)956-0872. 

Equal Opportunities Employer – Minorities/Women/Disability/Veteran.