Postdoctoral Fellowship in Time Domain Astronomy

The Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy at Caltech will offer one or more postdoctoral fellowships in time domain astronomy. Active research projects include:

Optical transient searches and Galactic Plane survey science with the new Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), expected to start survey observations in early 2018

An international transient follow-up network with the Global Relay of Observatories Watching Transients Happen (GROWTH)

Data mining of extensive light curve archives for systematic studies of AGN variability and a variety of variable stars

Infrared transient searches with the Palomar Gattini-IR wide-field survey, starting early 2018

Radio transient observations with the Long-Wavelength Array, the VLA, and other observing facilities of the Caltech Owens Valley Observatory

Radio pulsar observations with the JPL 70m Deep Space Network antenna in Canberra, Australia

Associated faculty are Prof. George Djorgovksi, Gregg Hallinan, Mansi Kasliwal, Shri Kulkarni, and Tom Prince. Technical and observational investigations are underway in several areas of optical and radio time domain astronomy including supernovae, fast radio bursts, gravitational wave counterparts, magnetars, quasars/AGN, and compact Galactic binary systems. Postdoctoral fellows will also have the opportunity  to interact frequently with Caltech and University of California faculty involved in the PTF Theory Network.  The postdoctoral fellowship position will start September 2018 or earlier. The duration of the fellowship is up to three years: an initial one-year appointment with annual renewals contingent upon satisfactory performance and availability of funds. Fellowship recipients will have the opportunity to propose for time on all of Caltech's astronomical facilities, including those at Palomar Observatory and at the W. M. Keck Observatory.

Please apply online https://applications.caltech.edu/job/astronomypd where we also list many additional prize postdoctoral fellowships in theoretical astrophysics and experimental astrophysics. Electronic copies of the curriculum vitae with email address and with citizenship indicated, publications list (indicate articles which appeared in refereed journals), and statement of research interests are required. Electronic Portable Document Format (PDF) submittals are preferred. The applicant is requested to ensure that at least three letters of recommendation are provided or sent directly to Caltech.

Deadline for the application is DECEMBER 15, 2017. Email inquiries in regards to the application process may be sent to [email protected].

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.