Postdoctoral position in gravitational-wave detection with pulsar timing arrays at the California Institute of Technology

The Caltech/JPL Low-Frequency Gravitational-Wave Group seeks a qualified individual for a postdoctoral appointment in support of the effort to detect and characterize GWs using radio timing observations of pulsars. The position will be funded through the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav), an NSF Physics Frontier Center (http://nanograv.org).

The group, which currently includes Profs. Katerina Chatziioannou, Gregg Hallinan and Vikram Ravi, JPL scientists Curt Cutler, Joseph Lazio, and Michele Vallisneri, as well as Drs. Jean-Baptiste Bayle, Alvin Chua, and Arianna Renzini, conducts research on a broad range of topics in GW science across the spectrum, including the analysis of NANOGrav data, and preparations for the planned space mission LISA. The ideal candidate will have the skills to contribute to the development of NANOGrav's data-analysis framework (including its statistical formulation and the Enterprise software package); they will have interests that bridge the GW spectrum between the nanohertz probed by NANOGrav and the millihertz proved by LISA; and they will be committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the astronomical community.

The postdoctoral researcher will be part of a diverse community of NANOGrav members in the United States and Canada and will benefit from collaboration with researchers at a range of institutions. The postdoctoral researcher will also play a role in the work of the International Pulsar Timing Array and will have ample opportunities for international travel and collaboration.

The appointment is expected to start as early as September 2021 with competitive compensation, and it requires the completion of a PhD. The initial appointment will be for one year with expected renewal for two additional years. To apply, please send a CV, publication list, and short statement of research (collated into a single PDF), and have three letters of reference e-mailed to Michele Vallisneri ([email protected], mentioning "NANOGrav postdoc" in the subject) by February 21, 2021. Science questions can be addressed to Michele Vallisneri, while administrative questions should be directed to JoAnn Boyd, [email protected].

Caltech is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. To read more about Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to https://www.eeoc.gov/employees-job-applicants.
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