Postdoctoral Position in Observational Extragalactic Astronomy

Submission Information
Publish Date: 
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Archive Date: 
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Job Summary
Job Category: 
Post-doctoral Positions and Fellowships
Institution Classification/Type: 
Large Academic
Institution/Company: 
Vanderbilt University
Department Name: 
Physics & Astronomy
City: 
Nashville
State/Province: 
TN
Country: 
United States of America
Announcement
Job Announcement Text: 

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position at Vanderbilt University to work in the group of Prof. Jessie Runnoe with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey V. 

Position Details

The successful applicant will contribute to a research program on active galaxies, including changing-look quasars and supermassive black hole binaries.  A particular focus of the research will be a large-scale study of quasar multi-year spectroscopic variability in SDSS V.  New ideas and research proposals in the field of active galaxies are also encouraged and there will be opportunities to help mentor students.  This is a fixed-term appointment for one year starting summer/fall 2020, with the possibility of renewal for up to two additional years.  It offers a competitive salary, full benefits, and research budget.

Vanderbilt University has a strong institutional commitment to fostering excellence through an academically and culturally diverse community of scholars through the Fisk-Vanderbilt Bridge Program.  Candidates with experience and goals in equity, diversity, and inclusion in mentoring, research, or service are welcome.

In addition to SDSS V, there are ample resources available to the Vanderbilt Astrophysics group: a new Data Science Institute (DSI) with collaborative ties to Prof. Runnoe’s research and the state-of-the-art Advanced Computing Center for Research and Education (ACCRE) cluster with ~10,000 cores and bleeding-edge GPU resources.  The department has a strong community of extragalactic astronomers with expertise in supermassive black holes, galaxy clustering, and gravitational waves.  

Application Details

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or equivalent, by the date of appointment. Experience with quasars and/or optical spectroscopy would be an advantage, although all exceptional candidates will be considered.

Applicants should ensure that all of the following are sent directly to [email protected], with the subject line “SDSS QSO Postdoc 2019, LASTNAME FIRSTNAME”, and received by 11.59pm Central US Time on December 15th 2019.

  • A cover letter stating the applicant’s overall goals, motivation for applying, and how their research aligns with the position (1 page; LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_Cover.pdf)
  • A curriculum vitae including a list of publications and talks. (LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_CV.pdf)
  • A description of research accomplishments and future plans (3 page limit, 1 inch margins, 12 pt font; LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_Research.pdf)
  • Three letters of recommendation to be sent directly to [email protected] by the deadline.

Vanderbilt University is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women and underrepresented minority candidates are encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline: 
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Current Status of Position: 
Accepting Applicants
Apply to Job
Attention To: 
Jessie Runnoe
Title: 
Assistant Professor of Physics & Astronomy
Institution/Company: 
Vanderbilt University
Department Name: 
Physics & Astronomy
City: 
Nashville
State/Province: 
TN
Country: 
United States of America
Inquiries About Job
Attention To: 
Jessie Runnoe
Subject: 
SDSS QSO Postdoc 2019 Inquiry