DIRAC Postdoctoral Scholar

Position Title: Postdoctoral Scholar- Data Intensive Research in Astrophysics and Cosmology

Location: Seattle Campus

Open Date: Oct 15, 2019

Position Description

We invite applications to apply for the Data Intensive Research in Astrophysics and Cosmology (DIRAC) Postdoctoral Positions in the Astronomy Department at the University of Washington.These 3-year positions are available to promising, early-career researchers who are interested in working on scientific research that complements or extends the current active research programmes at DIRAC (Solar System science, Milky Way structure, the Variable and Transient Universe, Extragalactic Science, Cosmology, Astronomical Software). We welcome research proposals from outside these areas that show how their work connects to DIRAC’s areas of expertise.
- are excited to work with new data sets like those produced for example by Gaia, ZTF, WISE, PanSTARRS1, TESS, and LSST.
- are interested in exploring and applying new statistical and computational techniques to these data sets, and how to extend current methodology to be applicable in the era of big data.
- are enthusiastic about collaborating with researchers across all areas of astrophysics and are curious about building connections with scientists from other fields like computer science and statistics.

Applicants should demonstrate excellence in research that either complements or builds upon ongoing research directions within the DIRAC Institute. Successful candidates will work with the current DIRAC faculty and researchers to develop their own programs of research and innovation.

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. The University of Washington is a partner in the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) project, a new time-domain survey now in routine operations. The UW is a founding partner of the LSST project, and leads the construction of its time domain and solar system processing pipelines.

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, renewable for a third year, and offers competitive salary and benefits. The appointment is expected to start no later than September 2020.

Application Instructions

All material must be submitted through Interfolio at: http://apply.interfolio.com/69817

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 3-year fellowship), 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). Candidates should address in their application how their work potentially complements, connects to, or extends current research efforts at DIRAC, or indicate how they would benefit from expertise available at DIRAC.

We encourage candidates to highlight work and achievements related to data-intensive astronomy that they are enthusiastic about, but do not easily fit within traditional metrics of academic success (e.g. open-source software development, development of teaching or outreach materials, diversity work, etc).

Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled, but should be received by December 10th, 2019 for full consideration. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.