Post-doctoral Researcher

The University of Toronto invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to join the Milky Way Mapper (MWM) pipeline team within the Sloan Digital Sky Survey V (SDSS-V). The MWM program focuses on stellar astrophysics, binarity, and Galactic archaeology through optical and near-infrared spectroscopy. The postdoctoral researcher will be part of an international team operating MWM and will take responsibility for the development and operation of key aspects of the MWM pipelines, orchestrated by the Astra framework, for the near-infrared APOGEE and/or optical BOSS spectrographs at Las Campanas and Apache Point Observatories.

Your responsibilities will include:

•  Develop and operate key aspects  of the MWM pipelines, orchestrated by the Astra framework, for the   near-infrared APOGEE and/or optical BOSS spectrographs at Las Campanas and Apache Point Observatories.
• Work closely with the MWM Program Head and Astra Manager to ensure effective communication and feedback between the Astra team and the MWM science working groups. This feedback loop is essential for the timely and inclusive validation of Astra data products across the full N-dimensional space covered by the MWM science programs, and for the efficient implementation of required changes within the Astra’s pipeline(s).
• Coordinate with the team working on ApogeeReductions.jl and contribute directly to its development and/or something else depending on whether the candidate's primary expertise is in infrared or optical observations.

Qualifications:

• PhD in astrophysics or a related field and be proficient in (spectroscopic) data analysis and programming in Python
• Familiarity with the Julia programming language and experience working with stellar and/or Galactic astrophysics survey data are considered assets.
• If the candidate’s primary expertise is in APOGEE, they are expected to join the team working on the APOGEEReductions.jl project and actively contribute to its development.
• Alternatively, if the candidate’s main expertise lies in optical spectroscopy, they should take the lead in the corresponding activities, as guided by the Astra manager.