Postdoctoral Fellow in the Laboratory for Particle Physics and Cosmology

Harvard University; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard University’s Laboratory for Particle Physics and Cosmology invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow to work on calibration, optimization, and data exploitation from the Rubin Observatory. The role emphasizes addressing questions in fundamental physics through flux calibration, image quality, and data-analysis methods, including AI approaches.

20% time may be used for topics of personal interest.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in physics or astronomy by start date is required.
• Experience with optical astronomy methods for frontier physics questions is required.
• Experience with AI tools is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Calibrate, optimize, and exploit Rubin Observatory data for physics questions.
• Contribute to advancing flux calibration, atmospheric transmission, and instrumental sensitivity analyses; explore AI methods.

Skills

AI tools experience

Observational astrophysics

Data analysis

Education

Ph.D. in physics or astronomy

Tools

Rubin Observatory data familiarity

Job description

Postdoctoral Fellow in the Laboratory for Particle Physics and Cosmology

Title Postdoctoral Fellow in the Laboratory for Particle Physics and Cosmology

School

School Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Department/Area

Department/Area Physics

Position Description

The Laboratory for Particle Physics and Cosmology ( LPPC ) at Harvard University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow to be associated with the calibration, optimization, and exploitation of data from the Rubin Observatory.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will be expected to contribute to addressing forefront open questions in fundamental physics, through some combination of i) advancing the state of the art in precise flux calibration, i.e. correcting for astrophysical extinction, atmospheric transmission, and instrumental sensitivity vs. wavelength, ii) improving the delivered image quality of the Rubin system, and iii) enhancing data analysis methods, in particular using type Ia supernovae to probe the nature of dark energy. Our group is particularly interested in using AI methods to accelerate progress in these areas. Candidates will be encouraged to use 20% of their time to pursue other topics of interest to them.

This position is expected to begin in August 2027. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of annual renewal, contingent upon satisfactory performance, continued funding, research needs, and required approvals.

Basic Qualifications

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in physics or astronomy by the appointment start date. Experience with the methods of optical astronomy as applied to forefront question in physics is required, and experience with AI tools is highly desirable.

Additional Qualifications

Demonstrated competence with AI tools as applied to observational astrophysics is a plus. Experience with Rubin Observatory data and existing membership in the Dark Energy Science Collaboration ( DESC ) are both positive factors.

Contact Information

Christopher Stubbs
Department of Physics
Harvard University
17 Oxford Street
Cambridge MA 02138 USA

Salary Range

$70,000 – $85,000. Pay offered to the selected candidate is dependent on factors such as years of experience, training or qualification, field of scholarship, and accomplishments in the field.

Minimum Number of References Required

Minimum Number of References Required 3

Maximum Number of References Allowed

Maximum Number of References Allowed 3

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.

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