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Post Doctoral Associate - Computational Astrophysics
Job Summary
Category
Post-doctoral Positions and Fellowships
Institution
University of Tennessee
Department
Department of Physics & Astronomy
Number of Positions Available
1
Work Arrangement
In-Person
In-Person Location(s)
Knoxville, TN
United States
Job Description
Post Doctoral Research Associate - Computational Astrophysics
Department of Physics & Astronomy
Position Summary
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Computational Astrophysics, starting August 2026 (or earlier by mutual agreement). This is a grant funded position.
Job Description
The project aims to enable large-scale, multiphysics simulations of core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) and related problems in general relativistic astrophysics. The postdoctoral researcher will join a multidisciplinary team of physicists, applied mathematicians, and computational scientists to develop computational tools that will enhance our understanding of CCSNe and provide improved predictions of their neutrino and gravitational-wave signals.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will contribute to the design, implementation, and application of novel methods for relativistic neutrino kinetics within the toolkit for high-order neutrino-radiation hydrodynamics (thornado). The project emphasizes advanced numerical techniques, including discontinuous Galerkin discretization and implicit–explicit time-stepping, combined with adaptive mesh refinement and multiscale time integration, for deployment on high-performance computing (HPC) systems.
The UTK–ORNL astrophysics group has a strong track record of securing time on leadership-class HPC systems, including the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF) and the National Energy Research Scientific Computing (NERSC) center. The postdoc will play an active role in the preparation and execution of large-scale computational campaigns on these resources.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in physics, astrophysics, mathematics, computational physics, or a closely related field, to be completed before the start of employment. Applicants who expect to complete their degree by the start date are encouraged to apply.
- Demonstrated ability to publish research in peer-reviewed journals (preferably with lead-author publications).
- Programming experience in C, C++ or Fortran.
- Broad understanding of building computational tools for scientific investigation.
- Experience with implementing and testing numerical methods for solving partial differential equations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with parallel programming (e.g., MPI, OpenMP).
- Experience with GPU programming (e.g., CUDA, OpenACC).
- Experience with adaptive mesh refinement frameworks (e.g., AMReX).
- Experience with advanced time integration libraries (e.g., SUNDIALS).
Work Location
The postdoctoral researcher will be based at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and will collaborate closely with the UTK–ORNL astrophysics group, which includes physicists, applied mathematicians, and computational scientists. This is an in-person position.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation Type
Salary
Currency
467
Compensation Range
$62,900USD to $68,000USD
Included Benefits
full benefits available: health insurance, annual leave, sick leave, family medical leave, for full list: Employee Benefits
Application Details
Application Instructions
Application Instructions
For best consideration applicants should submit the below materials before December 1, 2025.
• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae, including list of publications
• Research statement
• At least two letters of recommendation
About The College/Department/Division
The Department has an exemplary research record, with eight professors earning NSF CAREER awards since 2012, eight professors among the world’s top two percent of physicists based on citation count, the award of the prestigious American Physical Society 2021 Bonner Prize, eleven APS Fellows, and four AAAS Fellows. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is Tennessee’s flagship state research institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates and a premier graduate institution with a number of nationally and internationally ranked programs and with national and international leadership in numerous fields.
Additional Information on all postings provided by UTK
About Us (Provided by UT)
With over 225 years dedicated to education and research, and as one of the 100 largest employers in Tennessee, there is endless potential to discover at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This advanced academic center comprises 17 degree-granting colleges and schools, 900+ programs of study, 547 graduate programs, and is home to over 7,500 employees statewide who support the continued growth of the state’s flagship land-grant university. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Anthropological Research Facility, Space Institute, and the UT Institute of Public Service are acclaimed entities of the UT system and with nearby affiliate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Rocky Top is a university on the rise. UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset and with values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovative leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs. Apply today and join the Vol Family for life!
Ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates”, “One of America’s Best Large Employers”, “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.
EEO/AA STATEMENT / NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.
Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), ADEA (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the (EEO). Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the EEO office.
For best consideration applicants should submit the below materials before December 1, 2025.
• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae, including list of publications
• Research statement
• At least two letters of recommendation
About The College/Department/Division
The Department has an exemplary research record, with eight professors earning NSF CAREER awards since 2012, eight professors among the world’s top two percent of physicists based on citation count, the award of the prestigious American Physical Society 2021 Bonner Prize, eleven APS Fellows, and four AAAS Fellows. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is Tennessee’s flagship state research institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates and a premier graduate institution with a number of nationally and internationally ranked programs and with national and international leadership in numerous fields.
Additional Information on all postings provided by UTK
About Us (Provided by UT)
With over 225 years dedicated to education and research, and as one of the 100 largest employers in Tennessee, there is endless potential to discover at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This advanced academic center comprises 17 degree-granting colleges and schools, 900+ programs of study, 547 graduate programs, and is home to over 7,500 employees statewide who support the continued growth of the state’s flagship land-grant university. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Anthropological Research Facility, Space Institute, and the UT Institute of Public Service are acclaimed entities of the UT system and with nearby affiliate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Rocky Top is a university on the rise. UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset and with values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovative leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs. Apply today and join the Vol Family for life!
Ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates”, “One of America’s Best Large Employers”, “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.
EEO/AA STATEMENT / NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.
Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), ADEA (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the (EEO). Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the EEO office.
Link to Online Application
Publication Start Date
2025 Oct 03
Application Deadline
2025 Dec 01