Postdoctoral Scientist in Experimental Time Domain Astrophysics

Applications are invited for one or more postdoctoral research positions at the Department of Astronomy/Steward Observatory at the University of Arizona.  Successful candidates will work with Professor Kate Alexander and/or Professor David Sand on one or more projects
centered on time domain astrophysics. Opportunities includes: i) the TROVE, a new software infrastructure effort to vet transients associated with gravitational wave, neutrino, and high-energy particle events; ii) Gravitational wave follow-up science and infrastructure
development under the auspices of the SAGUARO program (Searches After Gravitational waves Using Arizona’s Observatories); iii) the sub-day cadence supernova search, DLT40, focused on the nearest and brightest transients in the sky; iv) multiwavelength observations of tidal disruption events, gamma-ray bursts, and other extreme transients.

The successful candidate will be encouraged to work with other Steward Observatory scientists.  Observational facilities at Steward include the 2x8.4m Large Binocular Telescope, the 6.5m MMT, the twin 6.5m Magellan telescopes, and an assortment of 1-2m class telescopes. We also regularly utilize national facilities such as the VLA, Swift, Gemini, Chandra, Hubble, and JWST -- experience with these facilities is also a plus.  Postdocs can apply for time on any Steward Observatory facility directly as PI, and will be encouraged to do so. Steward Observatory is also immersed in one of the richest astronomical research environments in the world.

This position is for 2 years, renewable for a third year. Candidates must have completed all requirements for a Ph.D. in physics, astronomy, or a related field before the commencement of the position in Summer or Fall 2025. Experience in time domain astrophysics, software development and/or instrumentation is a plus.  The appointment may be started earlier if mutually agreed.

Additional information about the Department, Steward Observatory, its personnel, and its facilities can be found here: https://astro.arizona.edu. 

Information about being a postdoc at Arizona is available here: https://astro.arizona.edu/academics/postdoctoral-program.

For inquiries, please contact Dave Sand at [email protected] or Kate Alexander at [email protected]