Postdoctoral Scholar- Data Intensive Research in Astrophysics and Cosmology
Position Overview
Organization: Astronomy
Title: Postdoctoral Scholar- Data Intensive Research in Astrophysics and Cosmology
Position Details
Position Description
We invite applications for the 2023 DiRAC Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Washington. This position has a 12 month service period, and is full-time. The initial appointment is for two years, renewable for a third year, and offers competitive salary and benefits. The appointment is expected to start no later than September 2023. These 3-year postdoctoral positions are available to promising early-career scientists who:
* Are ready to engage in self-directed research that complements the work done at UW’s Institute for Data-Intensive Research in Astrophysics and Cosmology (DiRAC; https://dirac.astro.washington.edu). Active areas include: Astronomical Software Research, Solar System Science, Milky Way structure, the Variable and Transient Universe, Extragalactic Science, and Cosmology.
* Are excited by the prospect of leading and participating in early science with the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST; http://lsst.org).
* Are enthusiastic about exploring and applying new statistical,computational, or machine learning techniques to astronomical data sets, and extending current methodology to be applicable in the era of big data.
* Look forward to collaborating with software engineers and researchers across all areas of astrophysics and fields such as computer science and statistics.
Applicants must demonstrate excellence in research that complements or builds upon ongoing research directions within the DiRAC Institute. Those with promising research programs and ideas involving first science with LSST are especially encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will work with the current DiRAC faculty and researchers to develop their own programs of research and innovation.
DiRAC is a research institute within the Astronomy Department (http://astro.washington.edu) at the University of Washington. Its mission is to expand the frontiers of astrophysics enabled by breakthroughs in large surveys, data-intensive algorithms, and software. The Institute comprises six faculty and senior fellows, and over 30 postdoctoral researchers, research scientists, software engineers and graduate students. DiRAC leads the construction of Rubin Observatory’s time domain and solar system processing pipelines, is a founding hub of LINCC, the LSST Interdisciplinary Network for Computing and Collaboration (https://www.lsstcorporation.org/lincc/), co-leads the LINCC Frameworks program to provide advances in software infrastructure needed to enable LSST analyses (https://www.lsstcorporation.org/lincc/frameworks), and hosts the LINCC Science Platform (https://lsst.dirac.dev).
We share a strong commitment to equity and inclusion; we particularly encourage applications from candidates historically underrepresented in astronomy, in any area of research. We also welcome applicants who are interested in collaborating broadly within the department. Candidates should address in the cover letter how their work potentially complements, connects to, or extends current faculty research efforts at UW.
Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.
Qualifications
A Ph.D. or foreign equivalent degree in astronomy, physics, computer science, or a related subject is required.
Instructions
Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled, but should be received by December 2, 2022 for full consideration. Please email uwastro@uw.edu if you have any questions.
Applicants must submit the following materials:
Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, research statement (maximum length 3 pages, addressing both current work and laying out research ideas for the 3-year fellowship), diversity statement, as well as contact information for three letters of recommendation.
We encourage applicants to follow the AAS Postdoctoral Application Guidelines in preparing these materials (link here). Applicants should highlight work and ideas related to first science with LSST.
Applicants should address in their application how their work potentially complements, connects to, or extends current research efforts at DiRAC, or indicate how they would benefit from expertise available at DiRAC. In addition, we encourage applicants to highlight work and achievements related to data-intensive astronomy that they are enthusiastic about, but do not easily fit within traditional metrics of academic success (e.g. open-source software development, development of teaching or outreach materials, diversity work, etc).
The diversity statement should address how your activities at UW could contribute to the diversity, equity and inclusivity goals (maximum length 1 page; for more information see UW’s Husky Blueprint (link here).
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.
Benefits Information
A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.
Commitment to Diversity
The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).
Privacy Notice
Review the University of Washington Privacy Notice for Demographic Data of Job Applicants and University Personnel to learn how your demographic data are protected, when the data may be used, and your rights.
Disability Services
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.