Schmidt Postdoctoral research positions

The Department of Physics and Astronomy of the Johns Hopkins University invites applications for two Schmidt Postdoctoral research positions, as part of a new initiative funded by the Schmidt Foundation. The aim of this initiative is to optimize the scientific productivity of proposed surveys with the Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS) on the Subaru telescope through innovative machine learning approaches to survey design, operations and data analysis (survey science observations are expected to start in early 2022). We seek intellectually ambitious, self-motivated candidates with demonstrated ability to work both collaboratively and independently. Expertise in both machine learning and one of the main areas of astrophysics of the surveys would be ideal. The two surveys of most interest for this new initiative at JHU are Galactic Archaeology, targeting field stars in the Milky Way, satellite dwarf galaxies and in M31, and Galaxy Evolution, targeting galaxies at intermediate redshifts. An overview of the science case for PFS can be found in https://academic.oup.com/pasj/article/66/1/R1/1549175. Further information on the activities in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, the Institute for Data Intensive Engineering and Science (IDIES) and in the Center for Astrophysical Sciences at JHU can be found at http://physics-astronomy.jhu.edu/ , http://idies.jhu.edu/ and at http://sites.krieger.jhu.edu/astronomy/ .

Applications will be considered as they arrive, until the positions are filled, but applications should preferably arrive before December 15, 2019. They should be submitted through  https://apply.interfolio.com/70376 and consist of a curriculum vitae, publication list, a description of past research (limit 3 pages), future plans (limit 3 pages) and also arrange to have three letters of reference.  Applicants should have a PhD before the anticipated start date (to be decided by mutual agreement, on or before September 1, 2020). Appointments are for one year, renewable annually based on satisfactory performance, for a total of up to three years. The Fellowships offer a competitive salary and benefits. JHU is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from women and members of underrepresented groups. Questions may be directed to Alex Szalay at [email protected].