Postdoctoral Researcher in Visible/Near-IR Astronomical Instrumentation

Postdoctoral Researcher in Visible/Near-IR Astronomical Instrumentation

Department of Physics (Astrophysics), Denys Wilkinson Building, Keble Road, Oxford

Grade 8: £39,324 - £46,924 p.a. (with a discretionary range to £51,260 depending on qualifications and experience)

We invite applications for a postdoctoral researcher to complement an active group in visible and near-infrared astronomical instrumentation. The postholder is expected to focus their work on the HARMONI project, providing guidance and oversight of the spectrograph work package. She/He will also be expected to become involved in other instrumentation projects in the Oxford Astrophysics sub-department. HARMONI is the visible and near-infrared integral field spectrograph that is one of two first-light instruments at the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT, http://www.eso.org/sci/facilities/eelt/). Oxford Astrophysics is playing a leading role in the design and construction of this first-light instrument, with Professor Niranjan Thatte as Principal Investigator.

The candidate should have previously participated actively in an instrumentation project at the postdoctoral level, ideally having managed a work package. Experience in one or more of design, fabrication, assembly, alignment & testing and implementation of visible/near-infrared instrumentation at large telescopes (4-m class and above) is desirable. Expertise in a particular area (e.g. optics, mechanics, cryogenics, electronics, detectors, software, performance verification, safety) is also highly desirable.

The appointment is for three years commencing 1 December 2017 (or as soon as possible thereafter) with a probable extension till 2023 subject to continued funding and is based in Oxford Astrophysics.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in a relevant area of astronomy, physics, or engineering and should have a demonstrated capacity for independent work. She/He would be active in independent scientific research, and be capable of initiating research in a lively group.

The postholder will have the opportunity to teach.

You will be required to upload a statement of research interests, curriculum vitae, and list of publications, and the names and addresses of three referees as part of your online application. In addition, candidates should arrange for the three letters of reference to be sent to: [email protected] by the closing date. Applications are acknowledged but not referee letters.

The deadline for applications is 12.00 noon (UK Local) on 20 September 2017.

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic and academic-related posts at Oxford.