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CIERA Postdoctoral Fellowship Positions in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Job Summary
Evanston, IL
United States
Job Description
The Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA) at Northwestern University invites applications for CIERA Postdoctoral Fellowships.
CIERA Fellows have the opportunity to pursue an independent research program and benefit from a diverse and dynamic intellectual environment (learn more about CIERA’s programs and activities). Candidates in all areas of astronomy and astrophysics are encouraged to apply. Northwestern has institutional access to several mid- and large-scale optical/IR ground-based telescope facilities, including Keck, MMT, and Magellan, as well as the forthcoming La Silla Schmidt Southern Survey (LS4) and Giant Magellan Telescope. Postdoctoral researchers can apply for nights through CIERA’s internal time allocation process (see sites.northwestern.edu/cieraobserving for more information). CIERA researchers have exclusive access to two high-performance computer clusters and additional HPC resources, including high-memory nodes, are available through Northwestern’s Quest cluster (see ciera.northwestern.edu/high-performance-computing for more information). A dedicated Computational Specialist is also on staff to assist CIERA researchers.
When appropriate, interdisciplinary connections are welcome (e.g., to computer science, applied math, planetary sciences, astrobiology, chemistry, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering). In addition to astrophysicists, we encourage applications from recent Ph.D. graduates in related fields who are interested in switching to astrophysics and/or applying their knowledge from another field to astrophysical problems.
For current areas of research led by CIERA faculty, as well as research resources and facilities, see ciera.northwestern.edu/research.
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Compensation and Benefits
Benefits: At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.
Work-Life and Wellness: Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://hr.northwestern.edu/benefits/well-being/ to learn more.
Fellowship appointments will be for a three-year term starting in September 2026. The expected salary range is $80,000-$83,000 and the position comes with a competitive benefits package and a research budget of $15,000 per year.