POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE, ASTRONOMY, Haystack Observatory, to help with and lead projects in star formation research based on existing data from SOFIA, ALMA, IRAM 30m-telescope, and ground-based IR telescopes. May also contribute to the development of the Haystack 37m-telescope and join other projects.  Will exploit several prominent data sets that provide unique and significant constraints on key questions in star formation research. The focus will be on analyzing existing and reduced observations and leading publications. These observations provide new views of the magnetic field structure of molecular clouds, gas kinematics in these regions, and their overall physical state and evolutionary history. The data stem from the SIMPLIFI, POLSTAR, and LEGO surveys, which use instruments including ALMA, SOFIA HAWC+, and EMIR on the IRAM 30m-telescope. Active collaboration with star formation groups in the New England area is a driving force behind these projects and the postdoc will have ample opportunities to interact with them.  

Job Requirements

REQUIRED: Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics, physics, or related field; background in star formation research; experience with the analysis of observational astronomy data; familiarity with at least one of the instruments (or their peers) noted above; ability to communicate research results in the form of peer-reviewed research journals and oral presentations; excellent communication, programming, and scientific research skills; and willingness to collaborate with a team and with other researchers. PREFERRED:  experience with relevant data analysis tools, including advanced processing of images and cubes with Python, CASA, and GILDAS; experience analyzing dust continuum emission (polarized or unpolarized) and molecular emission lines, ideally including data from ALMA, SOFIA HAWC+, EMIR on the IRAM 30m-telescope, or similar instruments.  Job #22623

The application material must include a cover letter of ideally 2-3 pages of text (i.e., not counting figures, tables, and references) that summarizes the candidate’s experience and research interests and includes contact information for three references. The package should also include a curriculum vitae and a publication list.

Applications sent by May 15, 2023, will receive full consideration, but applications will continue to be accepted until this position is filled. The envisioned start date is September 1, 2023, with some flexibility.

The position is initially funded for a period of two years, with a third year contingent on the availability of continued support.

Inquiries about the position shall be directed to Thushara Pillai and Jens Kauffmann, the principal investigators (PIs) of the relevant research projects. The PIs are committed to comprehensive mentoring of the postdoctoral associate concerning project work and career development. They seek to provide junior group members with a high degree of autonomy, within the limits set by the projects funding the work.

Haystack is located in Westford, MA.