Postdoctoral positions at Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, CAS

The Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO), an institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), was officially established in 1962 following the amalgamation of the former Xujiahui Observatory and Sheshan Observatory, which were founded by French Jesuits in 1872 and 1900, respectively. Currently, SHAO has the Xujiahui Campus, the Sheshan Campus, and astronomical observation stations located in Sheshan (Songjiang, Shanghai), Kunming (Yunnan), Shigatse (Tibet), and Changbai Mountain (Jilin), with its headquarters located in Xujiahui Campus. 

Astro-geodynamics, astrophysics and planetary science are the major basic research fields in SHAO. SHAO also focuses on modern astronomical observation technologies and time-frequency techniques. SHAO strives to provide scientific and technical support for astronomical research and national strategic needs.  It has several world-class basic research teams and plays an important role in  applied research fields such as navigation & positioning and deep space exploration.

The main observational facilities include Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) stations (the 25-meter radio telescope in Sheshan, the 65-meter Tianma telescope in Shanghai, and 40-meter radio telescopes in Kunming, Shigatse, and Changbai Mountain) with an International VLBI Network Data Processing Center, a 1.56-meter optical telescope, a 60-centimeter satellite laser ranging telescope, and a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network. SHAO is one of the seven observatories that possess VLBI, SLR and GNSS techniques. It also manages the Chinese VLBI Network and the Chinese SLR Network.

SHAO is deeply involved in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, especially is pushing to construct the China SKA Regional Centre, and leading the pre-study of the key SKA science on the detection of Epoch of Reionization in China. The observatory hosts one of the four Chinese Space Station Telescope (CSST) science centers and is leading the scientific development of the two onboard instruments, MCI and IFS. SHAO is also leading the study of the Earth 2.0 space mission, which aims to detect habitable Earth-like planets around solar type stars. In addition, SHAO is developing the projects on Ultraviolet, Infrared, Interferometry, ngEHT and Space Low Frequency Radio Observatory. Members of the institute are also actively involved in other various international and domestic projects such as EHT, HUBS, LHAASO, LAMOST, LAGER/CIDER, HXMT, eXTP, JCMT, KAGRA, Taiji and, LISA.

For details, please visit the website of SHAO at https://english.shao.cas.cn

Applicant Requirements

Applicants should be under the age of 35, and must have obtained their PhD degree within the last 3 years. Active researchers of all nationalities are encouraged to apply.

Research Directions

1.Astrophysics (Black hole and compact object astrophysics; cosmology and galactic astrophysics; stellar physics; planetary physics; radio astrophysics; high-energy astrophysics; Time-domain astronomy; gravitational -wave astronomy, and related fields.).

2. Astro-geodynamics (Precise orbit determination and applications of space vehicles, astrometry and reference frame, satellite navigation and remote sensing, satellite laser ranging and application, earth observation and global change studies.) .

3.Astronomical Technology and Methods (Ground-based/Space radio astronomy technologies and VLBI technology, Radio interference array big data analysis, space electronics, ultraviolet, optical, and infrared astronomical technology, optical interferometry, exoplanet detection and characterization, time frequency and atomic clock technologies, and the application of artificial intelligence in astronomy, etc.).