Astrophysics Institute Program Scientist

The Astrophysics Institute at Schmidt Sciences seeks an instrumentation expert to join a growing team that supports the development of astrophysics technology concepts. This role provides the opportunity to drive innovation in astrophysics instrumentation and contribute to the strategic development of new scientific resources. The successful candidate will work closely with experts in the field, play a critical role in major upcoming projects, and advance astronomical discoveries through selection of novel instrumentation and strategic program development.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director of the Astrophysics Institute at Schmidt Sciences, the Program Scientist will join a growing team to contribute to existing astrophysics programs and explore the creation and management of new programs and resources for the scientific community. The Program 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.

1. Instrument Scientist 

This person would serve as the in-house expert on instrumentation across a broad range of projects under construction and consideration. In this key role, they would

• Serves as a key liaison between the Institute and grantee teams building instruments or observatories
• Build scientific performance budgets and ensure facility capabilities support science objectives
• Contribute to, or plan, commissioning and operation of new facilities in discussion with relevant teams
• Play a key role in the facility design review process, following best practices from NASA/NSF and industry

2. Strategic Program Development

The Institute has a few explorations ongoing at any given time, focused on understanding the highest and best use of philanthropy in specific areas of astrophysics, from identifying potentially transformative technology to increasing the quality of the workforce. Responsibilities include: 

• Working with team members to develop new programs that might support technology, talent, or specific future pathways for the field
• Designing and organizing effective convenings around strategic program goals, including community building and accelerating science outcomes
• Acting as a conduit for bringing in innovative ideas and perspectives from the astrophysics community, actively engaging with experts to identify emerging trends and opportunities for collaboration

3. Program Management and Gift/Grant Support

A part of this role also includes oversight, assessment, and recommendations related to current large hardware projects.

• Coordinate and maintain communication with grantee PIs and research teams to track progress and challenges faced over the duration of the award
• Periodically assess if additional or different kinds of support could be necessary or beneficial 
• Assess the effectiveness and impact of current astrophysics programs, grants, and gifts, utilizing metrics and analysis to measure success and inform strategic decision-making.

Requirements

• Have a Ph.D. degree or equivalent from an accredited university in Astronomy & Astrophysics or a closely related field.
• Have a demonstrated track record of scientific accomplishments, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, patents, successful grant applications, or contributions to innovative research projects, ensuring the ability to bring expertise and insights to advance scientific objectives.
• Have at least 5 years of work experience in academia, industry, government or private labs following their PhD.
• Have demonstrated ability to collaborate and a record of impact in high-intensity, team-based environments.
• Have the highest integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Be based at the Schmidt Sciences offices in New York, Maryland, Arizona, or Virginia and be able to travel within the U.S. and internationally on a regular basis as needed.

Desired Additional Skills

• Experience building facility-class instruments or hardware subsystems for major astronomical observatories
• Strong knowledge of optical design and optomechanical systems
• Proficiency in requirements management, system engineering budgets, and interface definition
• Expertise in scientific performance or error budget development
• Expertise with detector handling and characterization (including CCDs, CMOS, or other)
• Hands-on experience with instrument AI&T, including alignment, performance testing, and environmental testing
• Expertise with instrument or telescope commissioning and/or operations