Assistant Research Professor (non-tenure track)

The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics Center for Exoplanets and Habitable Worlds (CEHW) at The Pennsylvania State University invites applications for one or more assistant research professor positions. Successful applicants will work with CEHW faculty on theoretical, observational, and/or instrumentation projects. Of particular interest are candidates who will work with Prof. Eric Ford, Prof. Suvrath Mahadevan and their collaborators on improving the sensitivity of high-resolution Doppler planet surveys using modern statistical and computational tools for eventual application to next-generation spectrographs such as the Habitable Zone Planet Finder (HPF;hpf.psu.edu), NEID (neid.psu.edu) and EXPRES (exoplanets.astro.yale.edu/instrumentation/expres.php). Of particular are candidates who have with expertise in any subset of spectroscopic data analysis, statistical techniques, application of computational techniques to precision radial velocity survey data, and/or expertise with detailed analysis of near-infrared and optical spectroscopic data. The HPF instrument is now at the Hobby Eberly Telescope, beginning its commissioning activities and NEID is expected to commission in 2019.

The successful applicant will contribute to a team of student and Ph.D. researchers, have opportunities to pursue independent research, and contribute to the vibrant scientific and public outreach efforts of the department. The successful applicant will have access to a variety of resources and collaborations available at Penn State, including but not limited to the 10-m Hobby-Eberly Telescope, the CyberLAMP hybrid computer cluster, the Center for Astrostatistics, and the Institute for CyberScience. More information about available resources may be found on the CEHW (exoplanets.psu.edu) and Department of Astronomy (astro.psu.edu) websites.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Astronomy, Physics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field prior to the start date. Applications must be submitted electronically at https://psu.jobs/job/75760 and include a cover letter, statement of research interests, a CV, and a list of publications. Applicants must also arrange for 3 letters of reference to be emailed to [email protected]. Questions regarding the application process can be directed to [email protected]. Please reference job 75760 in the e-mail subject line. The position start date is flexible. This is a fixed-term appointment funded for one year from date of hire with possibility of refunding. Applications received by January 15, 2018 will receive full consideration. We encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds.

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