Postdoctoral Research Associate I

The University of Arizona Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work with Dr. Chad Bender and collaborators to develop and implement cutting edge data reduction algorithms for the NEID spectrometer. NEID is the flagship radial velocity instrument of the NASA/NSF NN-Explore program (https://exoplants.nasa.gov/exep/NNExplore/), and is being commissioned at the 3.5m WIYN telescope in 2019B/2020A. NEID’s primary science missions will involve next-generation radial velocity exoplanet surveys to discover Earth mass planets around Sun-like stars, TESS follow-up, and identifying targets for upcoming space-based exoplanet missions.

NEID data pipeline development will continue post-commissioning for a nominal 5 year period (coincident with a 5 year GTO program to search for terrestrial mass habitable-zone planets). The successful applicant will be a member of the NEID software and science teams, and will be able to collaborate in NEID science carried out during the GTO program. Onsite work at Kitt Peak National Observatory will occasionally be required. The applicant should have experience developing and writing data reduction pipeline software for astronomical data, and be fluent in Python, and GIT; experience with IDL and Fortran is valued, but not required. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Review of applications will begin on January 17, 2020 and continue until the position is filled. Applications should be submitted electronically at https://uacareers.com/postings/44165 and include a curriculum vitae, publication list, statement of research that includes descriptions of previous software development efforts and future research interests, and contact information for three references. Reference letters will be solicited by UofA directly from the references at a later time. The nominal start date for the position is August 1, 2020, or sooner if possible. This year-to-year appointment will be for a duration of one year, with anticipated renewal for a second and/or third year contingent on satisfactory performance and funding.

In addition to science collaborations within the NEID team, the applicant will have access to and is encouraged to utilize the observing facilities at Steward Observatory (through the Arizona TAC), including the LBT, MMT, Magellan, and small telescopes on Kitt Peak and Mt. Lemmon.