MPC Astronomer (18-62)

Minor Planet Center Astronomer (18-62)

Institution Name: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

This advert is for the position of Astronomer at the Minor Planet Center (MPC), in the Solar, Stellar and Planetary Sciences Division of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

The MPC is the internationally recognized, NASA-funded clearinghouse, processing center, and archive for minor planet and comet observations. The MPC is tasked with identifying candidate near-Earth asteroids from all data reported to the MPC, as well as with supporting asteroid survey programs, for example, through services for identifying known asteroids and predicting their positions.

This Astronomer will participate in research related to the distribution of minor-planet orbits, and to the determination of minor planet orbit. In addition, this Astronomer will function as part of a team to fulfill the following MPC responsibilities: Determine the orbits of objects whose observations are submitted to the MPC; Process orbital elements and related information received by the MPC; Use existing procedures to make more sophisticated identifications of newly reported objects with known minor planets; Assist with the design and development of substantial modifications to current techniques for the determination of orbits from observations, and assist with the development of new orbital integration and propagation routines, as well as the introduction of modem mathematical and physics techniques to the differential correction problem.

SAO will only accept applications on line for this position.  For complete information and online application procedures please visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/506530300.

Requests for technical information may be addressed to the MPC Director, Dr. Matthew Holman at [email protected], or the MPC Project Scientist, Dr. Matthew Payne at [email protected].

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace.