Postdoctoral Position in Star Formation & Observational Astrophysics

Applications are invited for a two-year postdoctoral position at the University of Colorado Boulder starting in August 2020, to work with Prof. John Bally on observations and theory of star formation. 

The successful applicant will contribute to a research program using multi-wavelength imaging and spectroscopy from Apache Point Observatory, Subaru, ALMA, the JVLA, and other facilities.   Familiarity with data reduction methods and tools is essential.  Candidates familiar with numerical simulations such as N-body, SPH, or other codes used to investigate the physics of outflows, their interactions with the surrounding ISM, protostellar dynamic interactions and mergers among protostars will also be considered. 

The general goal is to investigate the feedback processes that operate in the self-regulation of star formation.  Specific goals include:   [1] Complete the analysis and publication of existing data on the Orion OMC1 outflow, ejected stars, and environment. [2] Observe other Galactic explosive outflow candidates to constrain their event rates, properties, and impacts. [3] Continue near-IR monitoring of nearby star-forming galaxies to probe the properties of  extra-galactic IR transients detected by Spitzer. [4] Explore the use of 6.7 GHz (methanol) and 22 GHz (water) maser outbursts as alerts for protostellar mergers or major accretion-powered IR-transients. [5] Model circumstellar disk & envelope behavior in interactions using public-domain SPH and N-body codes.   The successful applicant will contribute to the research program by generating new observing proposals, reducing and analyzing data, and writing up results.  Potential applicants are invited to contact John Bally ([email protected]) to discuss their fit to this position.