The Department of Astrophysical Sciences is frequently looking for new postdoctoral researchers, and occasionally for new faculty members as well. Check this page frequently to see the most up-to-date job listings.
Princeton University is searching for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Astrophysical Sciences, to begin in September 2009. The primary selection criteria will be research achievement, promise and breadth in astrophysics. While the initial focus of this search is in observational and/or instrumental astrophysics, outstanding candidates in all fields of astrophysics are encouraged to apply for the position. The ability to teach a broad range of courses and to supervise student research programs are also important criteria.
Candidates should send their curriculum vitae, bibliography, and a three-page description of past research and future plans to Professor D. Spergel, Chair, Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Peyton Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA. They should also arrange for at least three referees to send letters of recommendation to the same address.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Review of applications will start on December 1, 2008.
Princeton University is an equal opportunity employer and complies with applicable EEO and affirmative action regulations. For information about applying to Princeton and how to self-identify, please link to http://web.princeton.edu/sites/dof/ApplicantsInfo.htm.
The following positions are available in the Department of Astrophysical Sciences.
If you are applying for more than one of these positions, please send only ONE application to the Department via the web application.
Henry Norris Russell Postdoctoral Fellowship in Astrophysics
Only web applications will be accepted: https://www.astro.princeton.edu/postapp09.php
Application deadline: December 1, 2008
The Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University invites applications for the Henry Norris Russell Postdoctoral Fellowship in Astrophysics. The Russell Fellow is expected to carry out original research in observational astrophysics, independently or in collaboration with Princeton faculty, postdoctoral fellows and students. Exceptional candidates in all areas of astrophysics are encouraged to apply. The fellowship includes a substantial annual research fund.
Department faculty and researchers include Neta Bahcall (large-scale structure, clusters of galaxies), Adam Burrows (supernovae, planetary and stellar atmospheres), Renyue Cen (cosmological simulations), Christopher Chyba (solar system), Bruce Draine (interstellar dust, interstellar medium), Jeremy Goodman (dynamics, gamma-ray bursts, accretion disks, scintillation), J. Richard Gott (cosmology, general relativity), James Gunn (cosmology, large-scale structure, astronomical instrumentation), Edward Jenkins (ultraviolet astronomy, interstellar and intergalactic medium), Gillian Knapp (stars, brown dwarfs, interstellar medium), Russell Kulsrud (primordial magnetic fields, plasma physics), Robert Lupton (data analysis, statistical methods, precision photometry), Jeremiah P. Ostriker (formation and evolution of galaxies and large-scale structure), Roman Rafikov (planet formation, planetary dynamics), David Spergel (CMB, particle astrophysics, cosmology, galaxy dynamics, planets), Anatoly Spitkovsky (neutron stars, relativistic MHD), James Stone (MHD, star formation), Michael Strauss (large-scale structure, quasars), and Edwin Turner (gravitational lenses, planets), as well as 15-20 postdoctoral fellows, and strong research groups in the Physics Department and at the nearby Institute for Advanced Study. Appointments are for one year, renewable annually based on satisfactory performance, for a total of up to three years. The expected starting date is September 1, 2009.
Applicants should apply via the web at: www.astro.princeton.edu/postapp09.php, and arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent to postapp09_rec_letter@astro.princeton.edu (references should include applicant’s full name in subject) by December 1, 2008. Only web submissions will be considered. All applications will automatically be considered for all postdoctoral fellowships available in the department, but please state which positions you are interested in. For information about voluntary self-identification, please link to: http://www.princeton.edu/dof/about_us/dof_job_openings. EEO/AAE
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Lyman Spitzer, Jr. Postdoctoral Fellowship in Astrophysics
Only web applications will be accepted: https://www.astro.princeton.edu/postapp09.php
Application deadline: December 1, 2008
The Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, invites applications for the Lyman Spitzer, Jr. Postdoctoral Fellowship in Astrophysics. The Spitzer Fellow is expected to carry out original research in astrophysics, independently or in collaboration with Princeton faculty, postdoctoral fellows and students. The fellowship is intended primarily to support researchers in theoretical astrophysics, but exceptional candidates in observational astronomy are encouraged to apply as well. The fellowship includes a substantial annual research fund.
Princeton astronomers with research interests in theoretical astrophysics include Neta Bahcall (large-scale structure, clusters of galaxies), Adam Burrows (supernovae, planetary and stellar atmospheres), Renyue Cen (cosmological simulations), Christopher Chyba (solar system), Bruce Draine (interstellar dust, interstellar medium), Jeremy Goodman (dynamics, gamma-ray bursts, accretion disks, scintillation), J. Richard Gott (cosmology, general relativity), James Gunn (cosmology, large-scale structure), Russell Kulsrud (primordial magnetic fields, plasma physics), Jeremiah P. Ostriker (formation and evolution of galaxies and large-scale structure), Roman Rafikov (planet formation, planetary dynamics), David Spergel (CMB, particle astrophysics, cosmology, galaxy dynamics, planets), Anatoly Spitkovsky (neutron stars, relativistic MHD), James Stone (MHD, star formation), and 15-20 postdoctoral fellows and associate research scholars. There are also strong research groups in the Physics Department and at the nearby Institute for Advanced Study. Appointments are for one year, renewable annually based on satisfactory performance, for a total of up to three years. The expected starting date is September 1, 2009.
Applicants should apply via the web at: www.astro.princeton.edu/postapp09.php, and arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent to postapp09_rec_letter@astro.princeton.edu (references should include applicant’s full name in subject) by December 1, 2008. Only web submissions will be considered. All applications will automatically be considered for all postdoctoral fellowships available in the department, but please state which positions you are interested in. For information about voluntary self-identification, please link to: http://www.princeton.edu/dof/about_us/dof_job_openings. EEO/AAE
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Joint Postdoctoral Fellowship Carnegie Observatories and Princeton University
Only web applications will be accepted: https://www.astro.princeton.edu/postapp09.php AND http://www.ociw.edu/fellowships
Application deadline: December 1, 2008
Applications must be submitted to BOTH Carnegie Observatories and to Princeton University via the web: http://www.ociw.edu/fellowships/ AND http://www.astro.princeton.edu/postapp09.php.
Letters of Recommendation should be emailed to: c-pfellow@ociw.edu AND postapp09_rec_letter@astro.princeton.edu. Email Inquiries: c-pfellow@ociw.edu or postapp09@astro.princeton.edu Application deadline: December 1, 2008.
The Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington and the Department of Astrophysical Sciences of Princeton University invite applications for a four-year postdoctoral fellowship in astronomy, to begin in September, 2009. The Fellow is expected to work for two years in Princeton and two years at the main offices of the Observatories in Pasadena. The timing of these stays will be negotiated by the Fellow and the host institutions once the position is offered.
The Carnegie-Princeton Fellow is expected to carry out original research in any area of astronomy or astrophysics, either independently or in collaboration with staff, faculty or students at the host institutions. The principal selection criteria will be outstanding research accomplishments and promise of future achievement, although preference will be given to researchers working in those areas in which Carnegie and Princeton have active research interests.
The Fellow will have access to all of the resources and facilities of both institutions. In particular, Carnegie operates the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile, which includes the twin 6.5-meter Magellan telescopes, the 2.5-meter Dupont and 1.0-meter Swope telescopes, and provides an excellent environment for observational astrophysics and cosmology. The Department of Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton is a major partner in the Apache Point Observatory, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe and the Atacama Cosmology Telescope, and, together with research groups in the Physics Department and the nearby Institute for Advanced Study, offers an unparalleled environment for research in theoretical astrophysics and cosmology. The fellowship provides support for observing, travel,
computing and publications, and the observing facilities will be accessible for the entire duration of the fellowship.
Further information on the host institutions is available at http://www.ociw.edu/ and http://www.astro.princeton.edu. Applicants should send a curriculum vitae, bibliography, and research plan to BOTH the Observatories and to Princeton via the web at http://www.ociw.edu/fellowships/ AND http://www.astro.princeton.edu/postapp09.php by December 1, 2008.
The research plan should address how the applicant intends to use the resources and facilities available at both host institutions. Preference for a starting host institution and the proposed timing of the stays at each institution should also be stated. Selection of the successful candidate will be made by a joint Carnegie-Princeton committee. All applicants will automatically be considered for all postdoctoral positions in the Astrophysical Sciences department at Princeton and for the Carnegie Fellowship at The Observatories; however, they should clearly state in the cover letter that they wish to be considered for the Carnegie-Princeton Fellowship.
Applicants must also arrange for three letters of reference to be submitted to BOTH Carnegie Observatories and the Astrophysical Sciences department at Princeton via e-mail: c-pfellow@ociw.edu AND postapp09_rec_letter@astro.princeton.edu
The Carnegie Institution of Washington is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.
For questions or additional information, please send email to c-pfellow@ociw.edu and/or postapp09@astro.princeton.edu. For additional information on the fellowship program at Carnegie, please visit: http://www.ociw.edu/fellowships/fellowshipprogram. For additional information on positions in the Astrophysical Sciences department at Princeton, please visit
http://www.astro.princeton.edu/job_opportunities/dept_jobs.htm. For information about voluntary self-identification, please link to: http://www.princeton.edu/dof/about_us/dof_job_openings.
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Astronomical Software Scientist
Only web applications will be accepted: https://www.astro.princeton.edu/postapp09.php
Application deadline: December 1, 2008
The Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, expects to have one or more positions in the area of software development and support for the acquisition, reduction, analysis, and testing of photometric and spectroscopic data from very large surveys. The successful applicant will be working with a group including Drs. Jim Gunn, Michael Strauss, Jill Knapp, and Robert Lupton.
The Department is a member of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-III), a multi-institution project which is carrying out wide-area imaging and spectroscopic surveys with a dedicated 2.5-meter telescope and of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) consortium, which is building a dedicated 8.4-meter telescope to carry out a 20,000 square degree multi-band and multi-epoch imaging survey. Strauss and Lupton are heavily involved in scientific, management, and technical aspects of the LSST project. The Department is also collaborating with the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan to carry out deep, high-resolution, wide-area imaging surveys to study galaxy evolution and weak lensing with large-format cameras on the Subaru 8.2 meter telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Software development and support for these projects will include work on algorithm development (e.g. the determination of Point Spread Functions; optimal processing of multi-epoch, multi-band data; and spectrophotometry with fiber spectrographs); design and implementation of application class libraries; and automated testing of software (examining the performance and scientific reliability of algorithms, as well as unit and regression testing of complex software systems).
We seek persons with five or more years of experience with scientific computing and a PhD or Masters in astrophysics or a related field. The candidates should have knowledge of optical astronomy at faint levels, CCD data, handling of large data sets, efficient automated data reduction, and/or image and spectroscopic analysis. The job(s) include algorithm development; evaluating the scientific performance of pipeline code; writing robust, efficient code (primarily on Unix platforms in C/C++); and running and maintaining pipeline code. Experience in python, software engineering practices, and astronomical instrumentation is desirable. The appointment(s) are subject to funding, and will be made to the scientific or technical staff at a level and salary commensurate with experience, for an initial period of one year which can be renewed for one or more years depending on satisfactory performance and availability of funding.
Applicants should apply via the web at: www.astro.princeton.edu/postapp09.php and arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent to postapp09_rec_letter@astro.princeton.edu (references should include applicant's full name in subject) by December 1, 2008. All applications received by December 1, 2008 will be fully considered, but applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Only web submissions will be considered. All applications will automatically be considered for all postdoctoral fellowships available in the department, but please state which positions you are interested in. For information about voluntary self-identification, please link to: http://www.princeton.edu/dof/about_us/dof_job_openings. EEO/AAE
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Postdoctoral Position in Supernova Theory
Only web applications will be accepted: https://www.astro.princeton.edu/postapp09.php
Application deadline: December 1, 2008
The Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, invites applications to fill one or more postdoctoral research positions in the theory of supernovae, with a focus on the mechanisms of explosion, numerical radiation-hydrodynamics, and nuclear astrophysics. Candidates with a strong background in Astrophysics, Physics, Astronomy, and Computational Science will be seriously considered. Exceptional computational resources, opportunities for collaboration, and ample research and travel funds will be available to the successful candidate(s). The successful candidate(s) will work with Adam Burrows. Appointments are for one year, renewable annually based on satisfactory performance and subject to funding, for a total of up to three years. The expected starting date is September 1, 2009, though earlier starting dates can be accommodated and are not discouraged.
Applicants should apply via the web at: www.astro.princeton.edu/postapp09.php, and arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent by December 1, 2008 to postapp09_rec_letter@astro.princeton.edu (references should include applicant's full name in the subject line). Only web submissions will be considered. All applications will automatically be considered for all postdoctoral positions available in the department, but please state which positions you are interested in. For further inquiries, contact Adam Burrows (burrows@astro.princeton.edu). For information about voluntary self-identification, link to:http://www.princeton.edu/dof/about_us/dof_job_openings. EEO/AAE
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Postdoctoral Position in Astrophysical Plasma Theory and Simulation
Only web applications will be accepted: https://www.astro.princeton.edu/postapp09.php
Application deadline: December 1, 2008
The Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in astrophysical plasma theory and simulation. The successful candidate will work with Prof. Anatoly Spitkovsky on applications of particle-in-cell plasma simulation methods to astrophysical problems, including the physics of collisionless shocks, particle acceleration and pulsar magnetospheres. A strong background in astrophysics, plasma physics, computational science and parallel computing is preferred. The successful candidate will have access to state-of-the-art computational facilities, opportunities for collaboration and a travel fund. Appointments are for one year, renewable annually based on satisfactory performance and subject to funding, for a total of up to three years. The expected starting date is September 1, 2009 or earlier.
Applicants should apply via the web at: www.astro.princeton.edu/postapp09.php, and arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent by December 1, 2008 to postapp09_rec_letter@astro.princeton.edu (references should include applicant's full name in the subject line). Only web submissions will be considered. All applications will automatically be considered for all postdoctoral positions available in the department, but please state which positions you are interested in. For further inquiries, contact Anatoly Spitkovsky (anatoly@astro.princeton.edu). For information about voluntary self-identification, link to: http://www.princeton.edu/dof/about_us/dof_job_openings. EEO/AAE
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The following position is posted through
Princeton University's Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department:
Post-Doctoral Research Associate
High-Contrast Imaging and Adaptive Optics
Princeton University's Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department and the Department of Astrophysical Sciences invite applications for a postdoctoral research associate position starting February, 2009 or later. A Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Astronomy, Optics, Physics, Applied Physics, or a related area is required.
The position supports work in our laboratory in high-contrast imaging. The high-contrast laboratory at Princeton works with NASA on the development of concepts for searching for and characterizing extrasolar planets. We are looking for an excellent experimentalist with laboratory optics experience. The successful candidate will help develop advanced coronagraph designs, test new techniques and algorithms for high-contrast imaging, and support advanced adaptive optics development (on the ground and in space) for astronomical imaging. Appointments are for one year, renewable annually based on satisfactory performance and available funding, for a total of up to three years.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applicants should send their vitae, including a list of publications and presentations, a summary of research accomplishments and interests, and the names and addresses of at least three potential references to:
Maureen Hickey
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
D-218 Engineering Quadrangle
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ 08544-5263
Princeton University is an equal opportunity employer and complies with applicable EEO and affirmative action regulations. For general application information and how to self-identify, see http://web.princeton.edu/sites/dof/ApplicantsInfo.htm. You may apply online at http://jobs.princeton.edu. We strongly recommend that all interested candidates use the online application process.
Last updated 1 October 2008