Postdoctoral Fellow in Star Formation, Exoplanets, or Stellar Astrophysics

Submission Information
Publish Date: 
Monday, May 1, 2017
Archive Date: 
Monday, May 29, 2017
Job Summary
Job Category: 
Post-doctoral Positions and Fellowships
Institution Classification/Type: 
Large Academic
Institution/Company: 
University of Texas at Austin
City: 
Austin
State/Province: 
Texas
Country: 
United States of America
Announcement
Job Announcement Text: 

The University of Texas Astronomy Department and McDonald Observatory seek a Postdoctoral Fellow to carry out research in the fields of Star Formation, Exoplanets, or Stellar Astrophysics. Applicants with observational, theoretical, or instrumentation expertise in any of these fields are encouraged to apply. The successful applicant will work closely with Dr. Daniel Jaffe and will have unique access to IGRINS, the Immersion Grating Infrared Spectrograph. IGRINS covers all of the H and K atmospheric windows in a single exposure at R=45,000. IGRINS has a fully developed pipeline and an experienced user community. It is a joint project of UT and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute. Future plans will take IGRINS to the Discovery Channel Telescope in Arizona and to the Gemini-South Telescope in 2018. Additional collaboration with UT researchers will include exoplanet atmosphere characterization, stellar abundances throughout the Milky Way, low-mass stellar populations, and all stages of stellar evolution. The applicant will lead a major IGRINS observational study in one of their areas of interest and will have additional time for independent research programs. Desired qualifications include one or more of: a track record of astronomical research, observing experience, experience with astronomical instrumentation, or familiarity with data analysis for high-resolution spectroscopy.

UT Austin has a large astronomy department with expertise in many areas of star formation and exoplanet research. The successful applicant will have access to McDonald Observatory facilities, including the 10m HET and 2.7m Harlan J. Smith telescopes. The IGRINS spectrograph is a unique research tool with 3 years of archived observations and >180 nights available to UT researchers each year. The observatory will see several additional new instruments commissioned over the term of the position. Austin is a vibrant city with an active music and cultural scene, and excellent weather allowing year-round outdoor activities. The start date is flexible and can be any time in 2017. By the starting date, the applicants should have obtained a Ph.D. in Astronomy or a closely related field. The appointment is for two years, with a third year likely but contingent on funding and performance. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Applicants should submit a CV, publication list, statement of current and future research interests, and list of three people familiar with the applicant's research who can be contacted for references. The deadline for completed applications is June 2, 2017. Applications will be accepted in electronic form only, as a single PDF sent to: [email protected] . Candidates will be contacted for phone interviews.

Included Benefits: 

UT has an excellent benefits program, which can be viewed at: http://www.utexas.edu/hr/prospective/benefits.html

Application Deadline: 
Friday, June 2, 2017
Current Status of Position: 
No Status Given (Opted Out)
Apply to Job
Attention To: 
Daniel Jaffe
Title: 
Prof.
Institution/Company: 
University of Texas at Austin
Street Line 1: 
Department of Astronomy
Street Line 2: 
2515 Speedway, Stop C1400
City: 
Austin
State/Province: 
Texas
Zip/Postal Code: 
78712-1205
Country: 
USA
Phone: 
(512) 471-3452
FAX: 
Inquiries About Job