Galaxy evolution with Subaru+CFHT and with JWST

Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Canada, invites applications for a postdoctoral position in the area of observational studies of galaxy evolution.  The position is with Dr. Marcin Sawicki’s research group which currently focuses on two areas: (1) the scientific exploitation of the CLAUDS+HSC Survey and (2) preparation for and analysis of Guaranteed Time Observations (GTO) with the JWST NIRISS slitless spectrograph (both described below).  The postdoctoral fellow will have opportunities to be involved in both these areas.

(1) The CFHT Large Area U-band Deep Survey (CLAUDS) is a 70-night dark-time program of very deep (u=27AB, 5sigma in 2" apertures) imaging of 20 deg^2 also being imaged to similar depths in grizy+narrowband filters by the Subaru HyperSuprimeCam (HSC) strategic survey program. This is by far the deepest u-band imaging ever obtained over this large an area and complements an equally superb Subaru optical dataset. CLAUDS data acquisition is now completed while the complementary Subaru HSC data are also well advanced. The postdoctoral fellow will have significant freedom to work as part of our team on projects of mutual scientific interest that exploit the scientific potential of the combined CFHT+Subaru datasets.

(2) The JWST Near-IR Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) provides R~150 slitless spectroscopy over 1-2.5um for every object in a 2.2x2.2 arcmin^2 field of view.  NIRISS is in some respects similar to HST ACS slitless spectroscopy modes but will provide dramatic improvements in sensitivity and spatial resolution. Soon after JWST launch in late 2018 our NIRISS Guaranteed Time Observer  team will devote 200 hours of guaranteed JWST time to spatially-resolved spectroscopy  (emission-line maps, stellar population maps, metallicity maps, etc.) of several thousand galaxies is several independent sight lines from the Epoch of Reionization to the present.  The postdoctoral fellow will first contribute to the development of a comprehensive data simulation and processing pipeline and will be subsequently involved in the scientific analysis of this exceptional dataset.

The position will be associated with Dr. Marcin Sawicki's research group at Saint Mary's University, but will also provide opportunities to collaborate with members of the HSC survey consortium, including those at Princeton and in numerous Japanese institutions, as well as with colleagues in the NIRISS GTO team.  The fellow will also have time for independent research and he/she will be able to apply for Canadian time on ALMA, CFHT, Gemini, Astrosat, JCMT, and (starting in 2018) JWST.

The start date of the position is negotiable but should be between May and October 2017. The appointment is initially for two years but is expected to be extended subject to satisfactory performance. Applicants should submit a CV, a statement of research interests and accomplishments, and arrange for three letters of reference to be sent separately to the email address below.  Experience with the analysis of optical/IR extragalactic data is essential, while experience with IR spectroscopy and/or data pipeline development will be considered an asset.
 
The review of applications will begin on 1 February 2017. All materials should be sent electronically by that date to Dr. Marcin Sawicki at [email protected]. Any inquiries about this position may also be addressed to the same address.