Postdoctoral Scholar- Zwicky Transient Facility

Position Description

The DIRAC Institute at Department of Astronomy at the University of Washington is seeking a postdoctoral scholar to collaborate with Prof. Eric Bellm on searches for Galactic compact binaries using time-domain surveys such as the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF).

ZTF is an optical sky survey currently conducting a wide-area, high-cadence survey of the Northern Hemisphere sky.  Its cadence and wide areal coverage are well-suited to the discovery of outbursts and state changes in compact binary systems.

We particularly welcome applicants with experience in these research topics or related fields to apply.  An interest in developing expertise in optical spectroscopy, X-ray data analysis, and/or mining large datasets is welcome.

The DIRAC Institute  (http://dirac.astro.washington.edu) is a center for data intensive astrophysics at the University of Washington. The Institute consists of six faculty and senior fellows and over 20 postdoctoral researchers and research scientists. Current areas of research focus include observations of transient and variable objects, solar system science, study of the structure and evolution of the Milky Way, and engineering new tools for handling astronomical data. 

The University of Washington is a partner in the ZTF collaboration and a founding partner of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) project.  The UW leads the construction of the LSST time domain and solar system processing pipelines. In addition to its involvement with ZTF and LSST, the department has a major share in the Apache Point 3.5m telescope.  

We are committed to building a team that includes a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and to maintaining the department's welcoming and supportive atmosphere.

Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.

Qualifications

A Ph.D or foreign equivalent degree in astronomy, physics, computer science, or a related subject is required. The initial appointment is for two years, with potential extensions based on performance and availability of funding, and offers competitive salary and benefits. The appointment is expected to start no later than September 2020. 

Instructions

Materials should be submitted through Interfolio. Please use the following link: apply.interfolio.com/71291

Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled; to ensure full consideration, please send your application by December 31, 2019.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, research statement (maximum length 3 pages, addressing both current work and laying out research ideas for the postdoctoral appointment), as well as contact information for three letters of recommendation. We encourage applicants to follow the AAS Postdoctoral Application Guidelines in preparing these materials (https://jobregister.aas.org/postdoc-application-guidelines).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed,
religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432)