The University of Toronto (U of T) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Astrostatistics and Astroinformatics to join a team of astronomers and statisticians at the David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics (DADDAA) at U of T, the Department of Statistical Sciences (DoSS) at U of T, the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at U of T, and the Department of Statistics & Actuarial Sciences at Simon Fraser University (SFU).
The postdoctoral fellow will help develop methods for the analysis and statistical inference of data collected by the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment Fast Radio Burst (CHIME/FRB) project, and will collaborate with researchers at U of T, SFU, and within the CHIME/FRB Collaboration. The postdoctoral researcher will work in collaboration with Assistant Prof. Gwendolyn Eadie, Prof. Bryan Gaensler, and Prof. Radu Craiu at the U of T, as well as Prof. Derek Bingham and Assistant Prof. David Stenning at SFU. Professional development and mentoring across a range of topics relevant to a scientific career will be encouraged, and the appointee will also be encouraged to conduct independent research in areas relevant to CHIME/FRB and astrostatistics.
The postdoctoral researcher will be hosted at the U of T in Toronto, Canada. At the U of T, DADDAA, the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics and the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA) together host more than 150 staff and students in astronomy, who conduct a diverse research program across instrumentation, observation, computation and theory. Similarly, U of T’s Department of Statistical Sciences offers a rich and diverse research environment with more than 40 faculty, and 60 doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows. The postdoc will have opportunities to interact with faculty, postdocs, and students in all of the astronomy units and the Department of Statistical Sciences at U of T.
Research funds will be provided for publications and travel to conferences and workshops. In addition, the postdoctoral researcher will be given opportunities and a stipend for a research exchange at SFU in Vancouver, British Columbia, and to possibly visit the CHIME telescope in Penticton, British Columbia.
The nominal commencement date is September 1, 2021. Applicants must have earned a PhD in statistics, astronomy, astrophysics, or a related field at the time of appointment. Applicants should have a PhD awarded on or after January 1, 2016 (career interruptions or other extenuating circumstances will be accommodated, and should be noted in the cover letter).
Selection criteria for this position are: (1) experience in applications and methodology of statistics, (2) demonstrated potential for innovative research, (3) experience working with scientists in other disciplines (e.g., if no prior astronomy experience), and (4) experience in astrostatistics, although candidates with other relevant experience are encouraged to apply.
The required application materials are:
- Cover Letter addressing the selection criteria
- Research Statement (max. 3 pages, excluding bibliography)
- Interdisciplinary Research Statement* (max 1 page)
- CV (max. 5 pages)
- Publication list
In addition, applicants should arrange to have 3 confidential letters of recommendation submitted by the deadline. Reference letters and all applicant materials should be sent directly as pdf files to [email protected] by March 15, 2021, with the subject line [LAST NAME - FIRST NAME: CRT POSTDOC application].
* The Interdisciplinary Research Statement should address one or more of the following:
- Describe why you want to work in an interdisciplinary team, and what you will bring to the research group
- Describe an example in which you worked in an interdisciplinary team on a research project and your role(s) in this team (if you have such an example)
- Describe how your past research and/or academic experiences (interdisciplinary or not) have inspired you to apply for this position
The University of Toronto and Simon Fraser University are both strongly committed to diversity within their communities and especially welcome applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.