What are the responsibilities and job description for the Post Doctoral Research Associate - High-Redshift Quasar Studies with JWST position at NSF's NOIRLab?
NSF's NOIRLab is the preeminent US national center for ground-based, nighttime optical and infrared astronomy. NOIRLab is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) which operates as a matrix organization, providing services across a range of programs : Gemini, Rubin, MSO (CTIO and KPNO), and CSDC; with facilities in three geographic locations : Arizona, Chile and Hawai'i. The mission of NOIRLab is to enable breakthrough discoveries in astrophysics by developing and operating state-of-the-art ground-based observatories and providing data products and services for a diverse and inclusive community.
Applications are invited for a postdoctoral appointment focused on the study of high-redshift quasars at the Hawai'i operations center of the International Gemini Observatory / NSF NOIRLab. The successful candidate will work with Dr. Ema Farina and their collaborators to explore the nature of supermassive black holes and their host galaxies during the first billion years of cosmic history. They will also join Gemini North's vibrant extragalactic research community (https : / / www.gemini.edu / about / contact-us / gemini-research-staff).
The position's primary goal is to advance our understanding of the first massive black holes by investigating their close galactic environment, by spatially resolving their host galaxies, and by accurately measuring their physical properties. This research will utilize deep IFS data from JWST / NIRSpec Cycle 2 and 3 GO programs, supplemented by ground-based observations of high-redshift quasars. Responsibilities include NIRSpec IFS data reduction, high-level data processing, and analysis tasks such as PSF subtraction.
Position Details :
- Full-time, two-year appointment, with potential extension subject to funding.
- Applications received by January 31, 2025, will receive full consideration; the position will remain open until filled.
- The nominal start date is Spring / Summer 2025 (but other dates are negotiable).
Required Qualifications :
Key Attributes :
Questions about the position can be directed to emanuele.farina@noirlab.edu .
Physical Demands :
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This work is mostly carried out in an office environment. Long periods of sitting may be required. For full list of physical please see official job description. Some Travel may be necessary in or outside the contiguous United States.
Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at employment@aura-astronomy.org
Salary Range : $65,000 - $72,000 The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications, and experience.
The position will remain open until it is filled. To be considered in the first round of reviews, please submit your application by January 31, 2025.
The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of 49 US institutions and 3 international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories for the National Science Foundation and NASA. AURA's role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. In addition, AURA is deeply committed to public and educational outreach, and to diversity throughout the astronomical and scientific workforce. AURA carries out its role through its astronomical facilities.
As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor and is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity / gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and / or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws. The statements below as well as the requests for self-identification are required pursuant to these regulations. We encourage your participation in meeting these federal reporting requirements which are included for protection and to assist us in our recordkeeping and reporting. Your responses are kept strictly confidential.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
Salary : $65,000 - $72,000
