0125744 Researcher in Astrophotonics and Astronomical Instrumentation

• 2 x full time, 3-year fixed appointments  

• Opportunity to be part of a an exciting global initiative in astronomical science

• Base Salary $105K - $116K + 17% superannuation  

About the opportunity

The University of Sydney’s School of Physics is soliciting applications for two Researchers in Astrophotonics and Astronomical Instrumentation at Astralis-USyd.

This exciting role at Astralis-USyd (one of 3 nodes of Australia’s Astronomical Instrumentation Consortium, Astralis) is part of a major astrophotonics initiative launched from the University of Sydney as the lead institution in an international collaboration involving several observatory and university partners worldwide. We aim to revolutionise observational astronomy by producing next generation astronomical instruments founded on photonics technologies. Our group is an established world leader in astrophotonics, having pioneered instruments for photonic interferometry, nulling, wavefront sensing and spectroscopy at the world’s leading telescopes. The successful candidate will join our vibrant interdisciplinary team tackling some of the biggest challenges in observational astronomy by way of innovative technological solutions.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• create innovative astronomical instruments and algorithms for groundbreaking astronomical science in high-contrast and high-angular-resolution imaging
• design and characterise novel instrument concepts based on astrophotonic technologies (including the photonic lantern and photonic integrated optics), by way of computer simulations, laboratory prototyping and on-sky testing
• deploy new photonic instruments on world-leading telescopes (including Subaru, Magellan and VLTI), and conduct on-sky testing and commissioning
• develop novel data analysis and/or instrument control code, leveraging advances in machine learning and real-time control
• fabricate robust instrumentation or photonic components for use at 8m-class and future ELT-class observatories
• lead instrument development projects, including coordinating with scientists, engineers, observatories and other stakeholders to ensure optimum outcomes
• deliver outcomes in a timely way to meet milestones in the funded instrumentation projects.