Postdoctoral Scholar in Supernova Studies and/or Gravitational Lensing

Applications are invited for a post-doctoral appointment in the field of supernova and transient astronomy and/or galaxy-cluster strong gravitational lensing at the University of Minnesota. The successful candidate will work with Prof. Patrick Kelly to acquire observations, participate in data analysis, and prepare papers and proposals. Available observing facilities include the twin 8.4-m Large Binocular Telescope, the 6.5-m MMT, the 2.3-m Bok Telescope, as well as the 1.5-m Mount Lemmon Observing Facility.  

Among other potential projects, examples include i) analysis and interpretation of individual stars highly magnified by foreground cluster lenses using Hubble Space Telescope, James Webb Space Telescope, and ground-based data, ii) applying new observations to improve galaxy-cluster lens models, and iii) analysis of extensive 10-m Keck DEIMOS and 2.7-m Harlan J. Smith VIRUS-P integral-field unit spectra of the host-galaxy environments of supernovae and gamma-ray bursts. 

Candidates should have a Ph.D. as well as experience with data analysis. The appointment is for two years with the possibility of renewal for a third year given available funding and progress. Complementary research efforts at the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics include programs in gravitational lensing, massive stellar populations, cosmology, galaxy clusters, galaxy evolution, and transient astronomy.  

Applicants should email Patrick Kelly at [email protected] with a statement of research interests (up to two pages), a resume, and a publication list. Please also arrange for three references to send letters of recommendation to the same email address. Full consideration will be given to applications that are received by January 5, 2019.