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UT Austin Center for Planetary Systems Habitability Prize Postdoctoral Fellowship
Job Summary
Category
Post-doctoral Positions and Fellowships
Institution
The University of Texas at Austin
Department
Astronomy
Number of Positions Available
1
Work Arrangement
In-Person
In-Person Location(s)
Austin, TX
United States
Job Description
The Astronomy Department and the Center for Planetary Systems Habitability at the University of Texas at Austin invite applications for an institutional prize postdoctoral fellowship. CPSH is an interdisciplinary organization at UT Austin that seeks to advance our understanding of planetary habitability by bringing together members from three different Colleges within UT Austin (the College of Natural Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, and Cockrell School of Engineering).
We are seeking candidates with knowledge and/or interest in habitability, broadly interpreted. Successful candidates will indicate two mentors associated with the Center (https://habitability.utexas.edu/people/), including one from the Department of Astronomy and another from a different department. The ideal candidate will work on a series of projects that intersect two or more disciplines.
UT Austin is a large astronomy department and the successful applicant will have access to McDonald Observatory facilities, including the 10m HET and 2.7m Harlan J. Smith telescopes. These telescopes host a number of innovative new instruments, including the IGRINS infrared echelle spectrograph and the Habitable-Zone Planet Finder. There will also be opportunities to advise undergraduate or graduate students. Austin is a vibrant city with an active music and cultural scene, and excellent weather allowing year-round outdoor activities.
The start date is September 2026. Before starting, the applicants should have obtained a Ph.D. in Astronomy, Planetary Science, or a related field. Initial appointment is for 1 year, expected to be renewed for up to 3 years. Salary will be commensurate with experience and begins at $76,000.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation Type
Salary
Currency
467
Included Benefits
UT has an excellent benefits program, described at http://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits
Application Details
Application Instructions
Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV (including publication list), statement of current and future research interests, and names of 3 references. Applicants should indicate their proposed mentors from CPSH, including one in the Astronomy Department. The deadline for applications is December 8th, 2025. Applications should be sent as a single PDF to: [email protected] under a subject heading “CPSH-Astronomy Prize Postdoc — Your Name”.
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Publication Start Date
2025 Oct 27
Application Deadline
2025 Dec 08