Astronomer

Submission Information
Publish Date: 
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Archive Date: 
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Job Summary
Job Category: 
Post-doctoral Positions and Fellowships
Institution Classification/Type: 
Government Agency
Institution/Company: 
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
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Announcement
Job Announcement Text: 

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/

Included Benefits: 

No benefits information has been provided by the employer.

Application Deadline: 
Monday, May 1, 2017
Current Status of Position: 
No Status Given (Opted Out)
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