Postdoctoral Fellow in Time-Domain Astrophysics and/or Instrumentation

Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental benefits

Internal funding opportunities

Mentoring and professional development

Job summary

The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) invites applications for a 2027 Postdoctoral Appointment in Time-Domain Astrophysics and/or Instrumentation with Dr. Danielle Frostig at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) in Cambridge, MA.

The postdoc will build a program spanning time-domain science and instrument development, working on Boombox, future infrared imagers, and WINTER. Responsibilities include science planning for rapid-response strategies, leading Boombox and

Qualifications

• PhD in astronomy, physics, engineering, or related field by start date.
• Experience in time-domain observations, instrumentation, or both is preferred.
• Familiarity with instrument software and data pipelines is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design Boombox rapid-response strategies and survey programs for transients.
• Lead science studies with Boombox, WINTER, and other facilities.
• Oversee instrument integration, alignment, testing, and commissioning.
• Contribute to detector characterization and future instrument planning.

Skills

Time-domain observations

Data analysis

Instrument software

Education

PhD in astronomy/physics/engineering

Tools

Control systems

Real-time processing

Data-reduction pipelines

Optical design

Detector characterization

Job description

Position Description

2027 Postdoctoral Appointment in Time-Domain Astrophysics and/or Instrumentation

The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) invites applications for a postdoctoral appointment with Dr. Danielle Frostig at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO). The postdoc will build a research program in time-domain astrophysics and/or astronomical instrumentation.

Projects include science with Boombox, a new rapid-response optical spectrograph for the MMT and Magellan telescopes (commissioning in 2027), next-generation instruments, and science with the WINTER infrared survey. We welcome applicants from time-domain science, instrumentation, or both.

The research program

The group combines new instruments with time-domain science, from the first hours of a kilonova to hidden outbursts in young stars.

• Boombox: Boombox is a low-resolution (R~1000), high-throughput optical spectrograph covering 360–1010 nm. It is a companion to ViaSpec, a fiber-fed system that observes about 100 nights per year on the MMT and Magellan. Ten percent of Via time is set aside for rapid Boombox interrupts. Boombox also runs a large-scale spectroscopic survey of transients in the background of Via observations. Boombox will be commissioned in late 2027/early 2028. Its science goals include the earliest spectra of kilonovae from gravitational-wave run O5 and Rubin LSST, young stellar object (YSO) outbursts, and follow-up of unusual transients.
• Future instruments: We are developing future infrared imagers and collaborating on GMACS, the first-light multi-object spectrograph of the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT).
• WINTER: WINTER is a robotic 1-deg²2 near-infrared survey camera at Palomar Observatory running time-domain science surveys.

The role and resources

The postdoc will shape their role around their strengths and interests. Possible paths include:

• Science planning: designing Boombox's rapid-response (Target of Opportunity) strategy and survey programs for Rubin LSST, gravitational-wave, and other transients.
• Science: leading science studies with Boombox, WINTER, and other facilities.
• Instrument building: integration, alignment, testing, and commissioning of Boombox on the MMT and Magellan, including its control and data-reduction software.
• Future instruments: lab characterization of detectors, future instrument planning, and planning for GMT instrumentation.

The postdoc is expected to publish in refereed journals, help supervise students, and contribute to the CfA community. They will be eligible to propose as Principal Investigator for external funding.

Resources include

• Boombox time on the MMT and Magellan: rapid interrupts for transients, plus large-scale spectroscopic survey time that runs alongside Via observations
• Ongoing MMT, SDSS, and WINTER programs.
• CfA access to the MMT, Magellan, the FLWO telescopes, and the Submillimeter Array (SMA)
• CfA engineering and technical staff for instrument work

About the postdoctoral appointment

The successful applicant will work with Danielle Frostig at the CfA in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The postdoctoral appointment provides the following benefits and opportunities:

• Three-year appointment with the third year contingent on satisfactory progress
• Annual stipend of $84,500
• Health and dental benefits
• Eligibility to propose as a Principal Investigator for external support
• Internal funding opportunities for workshops and hosting scientific visitors
• Opportunities to establish mentoring relationships and work on professional development
• Opportunities to gain experience with student supervision
• Opportunities to develop, engage, and participate in a wide range of education and outreach activities in the greater Boston area

Start date negotiable between May and October 2027

Qualifications

Applicants must have a PhD in astronomy, physics, engineering, or a related field by the start date.

We seek experience in one or more of these areas:

• Time-domain observations or data analysis (transients, variable stars, gravitational-wave follow-up)
• Optical or infrared instrumentation (optical design, alignment, spectrographs, detectors, lab testing, commissioning)
• Instrument software (control systems, real-time processing, data-reduction pipelines)

Experience in both science and instrumentation is a plus but not required.

Please send any questions about the position to Dr. Danielle Frostig ([e-mail]).

CfA postdoctoral appointments do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA)

The CfA is known for its leadership in theoretical, observational, and laboratory astrophysics, and for its observational programs across the electromagnetic spectrum. Postdoctoral researchers are encouraged to use the combined resources and facilities of the CfA's two collaborating observatories – the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the Harvard College Observatory. Through the CfA's operational agreements with its partners, postdoctoral researchers can propose for CfA-allocated observing time on the MMT in Arizona, the Magellan Telescopes in Chile, and the Submillimeter Array in Hawaiʻi.

The CfA provides a dynamic range of weekly luncheons, colloquia, journal clubs, daily coffees, and divisional events. The CfA also supports many other formal and informal opportunities for the exchange of ideas and professional development in a diverse scientific community. Postdoctoral researchers have access to institution-wide funding for organizing workshops, conferences, and visitor programs.

The CfA is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a vibrant community in the Boston metropolitan area, known for excellent universities, colleges, and public schools, world renowned medical facilities and teaching hospitals, a dynamic technology hub, a lively art scene, outstanding restaurants, and diverse cultures. Many Atlantic Ocean beaches and craggy coastlines are nearby, as are downhill and cross-country skiing, cycling, and hiking in the White, Green, and Berkshire mountains.