Astronomer (Postdoctoral Research Fellow)
Trust Fund (Non-Federal), Temporary Not To Exceed Two Years, with the Possibility of a One
Year Extension
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), part of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for
Astrophysics) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellowship to work with Dr. Matthew
Payne in the Holman Research Group within the Solar, Stellar, and Planetary Sciences Division
(SSP) of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The purpose of the position is to conduct
theoretical and observational research related to (a) the detection of Solar System minor planets,
and (b) the orbital dynamics of Solar System objects.
The successful candidate will assist Dr. Payne in his research endeavors. It is expected that s/he
will be involved with:
Contributing to the ongoing “IMACS occultation survey for sub-km KBOs” by (a)
undertaking observations using the IMACS instrument on the Magellan Baade telescope,
and (b) refining the data analysis pipeline used to reduce the observational data and detect
occultation events.
Using the novel heliocentric linking algorithms developed by Holman & Payne to
conduct an analysis of the Pan-STARRS and/or DES data sets, with the aim of (a)
discovering new Trans-Neptunian Objects and Centaurs, and (b) robustly linking
observations of fast-moving objects (such as NEOs) across long time-spans.
Undertaking numerical investigations designed to constrain the possible sky position and
mass of the putative Planet-9 via an analysis of the tidal perturbations that would be
induced on the known Solar System planets (such as Saturn and Mars).
For complete information and online application procedures, please visit
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/462393200/