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)
• An international transient follow-up network with the Global Relay of Observatories Watching Transients Happen (GROWTH).
• Infrared transient searches with the Palomar Gattini-IR wide-field survey
• Fast radio burst interferometric localization and multiwavelength follow-up, and CGM/IGM characterization based on the 110-antenna Deep Synoptic Array (DSA-110)
• Data mining of extensive light curve archives for systematic studies of AGN variability and a variety of variable stars.
• 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 Professors George Djorgovksi, Gregg Hallinan, Mansi Kasliwal, Shri Kulkarni, Tom Prince and Vikram Ravi. 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, KITP, and Berkeley faculty through the ZTF Theory Network. Postdocs interested in theory should apply for the Burke Fellowship.

The postdoctoral fellowship position will start September 2019 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, 2018. Email inquiries in regards to the application process may be sent to [email protected].

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