Fellowship Title: CIERA Postdoctoral Fellowship Positions in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Fellowship Type: Postdoctoral
Location: Evanston, Illinois 60201, United States
Subject Area: Astrophysics / Observational; Theoretical Astrophysics
Appl Deadline: 2024/11/18

The Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA) at Northwestern University invites applications for CIERA Postdoctoral Fellowships and Postdoctoral Associate positions in theoretical or observational astronomy and astrophysics.

All CIERA postdocs will benefit from a diverse and dynamic intellectual environment (learn more about CIERA’s programs and activities). Northwestern has institutional access to several mid- and large-scale optical/IR ground-based telescope facilities, including Keck, MMT, Magellan, and the forthcoming La Silla Southern Sky Survey (LS4) and SEDMv2 (an ultra-low resolution IFU spectrograph for transient classification). Postdoctoral researchers can apply for nights through CIERA’s internal time allocation process (see sites.northwestern.edu/cieraobserving/ for more information). CIERA researchers have exclusive access to two high-performance computer clusters, providing access to 5,996 compute cores. Additional HPC resources, including high-memory nodes, are available through Northwestern’s Quest cluster (see ciera.northwestern.edu/high-performance-computing/ for more information). A dedicated Computational Specialist is also on staff to assist CIERA researchers.

For current areas of research led by CIERA faculty, as well as research resources and facilities, see ciera.northwestern.edu/research/.

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS:

CIERA Fellows (Job ID 28246) have the opportunity to pursue an independent research program and benefit from a diverse and dynamic intellectual environment (learn more about CIERA’s programs and activities). Candidates in all areas of astronomy and astrophysics are encouraged to apply. When appropriate, interdisciplinary connections are welcome (e.g., to computer science, applied math, planetary sciences, astrobiology, chemistry, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering). In addition to astrophysicists, we encourage applications from recent Ph.D. graduates in the above fields who are interested in switching to astrophysics and/or applying their knowledge from another field to astrophysical problems.

Fellowship appointments will be for a three-year term starting in September 2025. The annual stipend is $80,000 and the position comes with a competitive benefits package and a research budget of $15,000 per year.

POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATES:

There are several openings for CIERA Postdoctoral Associates. Of particular interest this year are candidates who will work in the following disciplines:

THEORETICAL astronomy and astrophysics (Job ID 28248) with:

— Prof. Claude-André Faucher-Giguère on galaxy formation modeling (including cosmological simulations, star formation and stellar feedback, supermassive black hole growth and feedback, and IGM/CGM/ICM)
— Prof. Elena Murchikova on tackling big problems of supermassive black holes, their accretion and feedback, with a particular focus on Sagittarius A*. The research work in Lena’s group combines observations, hands on data analysis, pen-and-paper theory, and simulations, because solving complex problems requires approaching them from all possible sides.
— Prof. Sasha Tchekhovskoy on modeling compact object accretion and ejection in a wide range of astrophysical contexts (including compact object mergers, magnetic stellar explosions, gamma-ray bursts, X-ray binaries, ultra-luminous X-ray sources, tidal disruptions, and active galactic nuclei).
— Prof. Fred Rasio on the modeling of dense star clusters (globular clusters, galactic nuclei), and in particular, the dynamical formation of GW sources, X-ray binaries, and binary pulsars

OBSERVATIONAL astronomy and astrophysics (Job ID 28247) with:

— Prof. Elena Murchikova on tackling big problems of supermassive black holes, their accretion and feedback, with a particular focus on Sagittarius A*. The research work in Lena’s group combines observations, hands on data analysis, pen-and-paper theory, and simulations, because solving complex problems requires approaching them from all possible sides.
— Prof. Jason Wang on the detection and characterization of directly imaged exoplanets from the ground and space using instruments such as the Roman Space Telescope Coronagraph Instrument, VLTI/GRAVITY, and Gemini/GPI2. They will lead and participate in various activities that could include instrument commissioning, observation planning, and scientific interpretation. They will also help develop open-source tools related to these goals.
— Prof. Allison Strom on galaxy formation and evolution in the intermediate- and high-redshift universe, specifically using observations of z~2-3 galaxies from the Keck Baryonic Structure Survey (KBSS) and a large z~1 galaxy survey that will be conducted with the Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS) on the Subaru Telescope beginning in mid-2024. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to lead the analysis and interpretation of novel datasets, plan and conduct follow-up observations, and develop new tools for studying galaxy chemistry. Applicants with previous experience in emission line spectroscopy, photoionization modeling, and/or data science are especially welcome.

ALL APPLICANTS:

Please submit applications electronically to Academic Jobs Online (Job IDs 28246, 28247 and 28248). Applications should include a cover letter (stating your interest in and relevant experience/skills for the position and identifying a potential faculty mentor at Northwestern), a CV (including a list of publications with the most important 1 to 3 publications indicated with an asterisk), a three-page statement of research accomplishments and plans, and arrange for at least three letters of recommendation to be uploaded to Academic Jobs Online. All questions should be sent by email to CIERA-Jobs@northwestern.edu. Applications received by November 18, 2024, will receive full consideration. Later applications will be considered until all positions are filled. Please state the position in which you are applying in your cover letter (CIERA Postdoctoral Fellowship; or CIERA Theoretical Astronomy & Astrophysics Postdoctoral Associate; or CIERA Observational Astronomy & Astrophysics Postdoctoral Associate). If you wish to apply for other CIERA positions, submit a separate application per position applied. Applicants must complete their Ph.D. requirements prior to appointment.

CIERA is committed to creating a welcoming, safe, and inclusive community for everyone. Every person connected to CIERA is expected to uphold our shared values by seeking diverse perspectives and deliberately working to increase access and equity of people from marginalized groups. We recognize that true excellence only comes from the meaningful integration of all perspectives in our community and culture. CIERA also participates with University-wide diversity & inclusion efforts: Northwestern’s Mission and Vision, Northwestern’s Office of Equity.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Included Benefits: http://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html.