Research Scientist (Open Rank), Center for Computational Astrophysics

Position Summary

The Center for Computational Astrophysics (CCA) is advertising an open-rank search for research scientists to join the Flatiron Institute at the Simons Foundation. The advertised position is expected to be filled at the rank of Research Scientist or Senior Research Scientist (roughly equivalent to Associate and Full Professor, respectively), or in exceptional cases, at the more junior Associate Research Scientist level (roughly equivalent to an Assistant Professor). 

 

The CCA is a dynamic, collaborative, flexible research organization with a mission to advance computational methods, tools, and frameworks that allow scientists to interpret large astronomical datasets and to understand complex, multi-scale physics in astrophysical systems ranging in scales from planets to the Universe.  Current research groups at the CCA include: Astronomical Data, Stars & Plasma Astrophysics, Galaxy Formation, Gravitational Wave Astronomy, Cosmology, Machine Learning & Astrophysics, Exoplanets & Planet Formation, and Nearby Universe & Milky Way. There are also multiple cross-group collaborations and projects that cross and/or extend beyond these boundaries. Please see https://www.simonsfoundation.org/flatiron/center-for-computational-astrophysics/ for a full description of research activities at the CCA. CCA scientists are deeply involved in community-building within their research field, the CCA, the Flatiron Institute, and the larger NYC community. Within Flatiron, the CCA benefits from close ties with the Center for Computational Mathematics and superb computational resources and support from the Scientific Computing Core.

 

  At any of the ranks, CCA research scientists are expected to: 

• lead a vigorous, ambitious research program; 

• collaborate with and mentor the CCA’s superb postdoctoral Flatiron Research Fellows; 

• foster interactions with the broader community (in NYC and beyond) through organizing meetings and workshops; 

• build intellectual connections across CCA and the Flatiron Institute and beyond; 

• capitalize on the unique opportunities available at the CCA to further the field of computational astrophysics and data analysis, including open source projects and data releases. 

 

These positions have no teaching or fundraising responsibilities, generous individual research budgets, excellent staff and computing support, interactive colleagues (including a large number of independent postdoctoral fellows), minimal bureaucracy, and the ability to pursue projects with arbitrarily short or long timescales. Applicants should be aware that employees cannot apply for or hold grants at the Simons Foundation, and that the Flatiron Institute does not offer tenure to its employees or grant degrees to students. CCA scientists do work with students through a variety of channels, however, including visiting predoctoral students, students in the CUNY Astronomy Masters program, and/or undergraduate summer interns from CUNY and/or the Simons-NSBP Scholars program. Some CCA research scientists carry out more traditional academic activities through joint appointments with other universities.

 

For this search, we are particularly interested in advancing our work in: (1) plasma astrophysics and its interaction with existing fields of research at the CCA; (2) cosmological surveys including the CMB; (3) stellar theory; (4) application and development of cutting-edge machine learning techniques to astrophysical problems; and (5) the development and application of modern software and statistical techniques for challenging problems in large and/or complex astronomical data. Candidates working in other areas of astrophysics may also be considered if there is unusually strong resonance with the CCA’s mission statement and research profile.

 

CCA Mission Statement:

• Solve important, hard problems in computational astrophysics

• Focus on problems that we at Flatiron are uniquely positioned to solve

• Invent and propagate better data-analysis practices, analytical methods, and computational methods for the global astrophysics community, with a focus on rigor

• Develop, maintain, and contribute to open-source software packages, open data, and their communities

• Create and support a community of astrophysics doers, learners, and mentors in New York City and beyond

• Train and launch diverse early-career researchers in astrophysics with unique capabilities in computation methods.

 

Flexible Appointment Options

We offer various engagement models to accommodate different career situations:

• Traditional full-time research scientist positions

• Long-term secondment or leave arrangements allowing researchers to maintain affiliations with their home institutions

• Potential joint appointments with neighboring institutions

• Visiting scientist opportunities for extended, multi-year collaborations

 

Full-time Research Scientist and Senior Research Scientist positions are typically not term-limited. Positions at the Associate Research Scientist rank are typically appointed for an initial three-year period; the appointment may be renewed for up to another three years, after which they may be reviewed for promotion to a non-term-limited position as a Research Scientist. The appointment at CCA is expected to be carried out primarily in-person.

 

Any questions about these positions can be sent to [email protected]

 

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

 The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Leading a research program with broad and significant impact

• Mentoring independent postdoctoral fellows

• Contributing to the scientific strategy, management, and organization of the CCA

• Fostering scientific communities within CCA, Flatiron, NYC, and beyond.

 

Essential Traits

• Research interests and/or skills that overlap or enhance a strategic scientific CCA goal/area, broadly defined

• Sufficient breadth and flexibility to collaborate broadly within the CCA and especially with its independent postdoctoral fellows.

• Evidence for significant scientific impact, assessed in appropriate ways for stage of career and methodology.

• Demonstrated ability and interest in supervising, mentoring, and collaborating with junior scientists from a variety of backgrounds. Experience with postdoctoral supervision is preferred.

• Alignment with multiple aspects of the CCA mission statement.

 

Desired Traits

• Research interests and/or skill sets that are relevant to multiple CCA research areas.

• A record of organizational and intellectual creativity and/or initiative that has potential to effectively leverage the flexibility that CCA offers. 

• Research goals that can have an impact within the scale of available CCA resources

• A demonstrated focus on community products or organization (e.g. organizing community-oriented workshops, producing community data products, developing open-source software, etc)

• Research interests and/or skill sets that are relevant to multiple CCA research areas.

• A record of organizational and intellectual creativity and/or initiative that has potential to effectively leverage the flexibility that CCA offers. 

• Research goals that can have an impact within the scale of available CCA resources

• A demonstrated focus on community products or organization (e.g. organizing community-oriented workshops, producing community data products, developing open-source software, etc)

 

Qualifications

Education

• Ph.D. in a related field

 

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• A minimum of 3 years of post-PhD research experience in astrophysics

• A record of excellence, productivity, and impact in publicly-distributed research outputs (publications, software, data products, etc)

• Effective oral and written communication skills

• Ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative team environment

• Demonstrated experience and interest in mentoring and supporting the career development of junior scientists

 

Required Application Materials

• CV with publication list. Please highlight 3 papers that exemplify your work.

• A 1-2 page cover letter describing your specific interest in the CCA, how your research program aligns with the opportunities offered by the CCA, and how your future goals and past experiences connect to the CCA mission statement above. 

• A 3 page research statement summarizing your anticipated research directions at the CCA and past accomplishments.

• If applying at an Associate Research Scientist level (expected for applicants currently in postdoctoral or Assistant Professor-equivalent positions), please also include names and contact information for 3-5 references; letters will be requested at a later stage.

• Additional material may be requested after an initial review of applications

 

Deadline

Review of applications for available positions will begin in early 2025 and will continue on a rolling basis until positions are filled. For full consideration, application by December 31 2024 is recommended. 

 

Application Submission

• This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.

• Link to Online Application: https://apply.interfolio.com/159370

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 

• The full-time annual compensation for this position depends on the rank of the appointment. 

• The salary range for a hire at the Associate Research Scientist level is $130,000 to $165,000, the salary at the Research Scientist level is $155,000 to $255,000, and the salary at the Senior Research Scientist level is $250,000 to $375,000, for full-time employment.

• In addition to competitive salaries, the Simons Foundation provides employees with an outstanding benefits package.

 

SIMONS FOUNDATION'S DIVERSITY COMMITMENT

Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences, and we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment. The Simons Foundation actively seeks a diverse applicant pool and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state and local law.