Astrophysics Institute Visiting Scientist [Detector Specialist]

Schmidt Sciences is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt that works to accelerate scientific knowledge and breakthroughs with the most promising, advanced tools to support a thriving planet. The organization prioritizes research in areas poised for impact including AI and advanced computing, astrophysics, biosciences, climate, and space—as well as supporting researchers in a variety of disciplines through its science systems program.

The Astrophysics Institute at Schmidt Sciences invites applications for a 12–24 month Visiting Scientist position focused on advanced detector systems for astronomy. This role is designed for experts in instrumentation with deep technical expertise in visible/near-infrared detector arrays, particularly HxRG detectors, and some experience with CCDs and/or CMOS technologies. Visiting Scientists will divide their time across a portfolio of projects, working closely with internal staff and external grantee teams to support the development and deployment of ground- and space-based observatory and instrument concepts. Both postdoctoral fellows (Visiting Scientist) and senior staff on sabbatical (Distinguished Visiting Scientist) will be considered for this position. 

The Role

Reporting to the Director of the Astrophysics Institute at Schmidt Sciences (hereafter “the Institute”), the Visiting Scientist will join a growing team to contribute to existing astrophysics programs and explore the creation and management of new hardware and facilities for the scientific community. 

Key Responsibilities

The Visiting Scientist’s role would include the following elements of the Institute’s work. The specific responsibilities would be developed jointly by the individual and their manager and may change from time to time.

Detector Specialist (Approx. 80% time)

• Serve as the Institute’s expert on astronomical detectors, especially HxRGs, and contribute to efforts involving CCD and CMOS technologies.
• Support end-to-end detector activities: specification, handling, performance budgeting, characterization, integration, and commissioning.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to help implement the deployment of detectors in both ground and space-based facilities.
• Participate in facility and instrumentation design reviews, ensuring alignment between detector capabilities and science objectives.
• Train other team members on aspects of detector use for science.
• Help define strategic directions for detector-related R&D within the Institute’s technology programs.

Astrophysics Research (Approx. 20% time)

• Conduct scientific research in areas where the candidate’s area of expertise aligns with particular observatory capabilities and/or broad Institutional priorities.
• Present or publish findings to the broader scientific community as appropriate.

Requirements

• Have a Ph.D. degree or equivalent from an accredited university in Astronomy & Astrophysics, Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Substantial hands-on experience with HxRG detector systems.
• Familiarity with CCDs, CMOS, and associated handling and test procedures.
• Have at least 2 years of work experience in academia, industry, government or private labs following their PhD.
• Demonstrated track record of research achievement and/or technical project leadership.
• Ability to work collaboratively across interdisciplinary teams.
• Be based at the Schmidt Sciences offices in Maryland, Arizona, or New York and be able to travel within the U.S. and internationally on a regular basis as needed.

Desired Additional Skills

• Experience with design to deployment cycle of astronomical instrumentation.
• Proficiency in requirements development, system engineering, and error budgeting.
• Background in observatory-scale hardware programs or instrumentation teams.