Postdoctoral Researcher

Louisiana State University; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana State University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to develop and analyze data from the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Galactic Bulge Time Domain Survey (GBTDS). The role sits within Professor Matthew Penny's group and the RGES PIT/TrEXS collaborations, focusing on microlensing, exoplanet transits, and Galactic structure.

The position emphasizes publication, conference participation, and mentoring of students, with possible on-site or remote work in the United

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in physics, astronomy, or a related field.
• Experience coding in at least one programming language.
• Experience using high-performance or high-throughput computing.

Responsibilities

• Publish papers regularly and present at conferences.
• Assist in proposals and grant-related activities.
• Supervise graduate and undergraduate students as needed.
• Participate in the RGES PIT and TrEXS collaboration.
• Travel nationally and internationally as required.

Skills

Programming experience

High-performance computing

Education

Ph.D. in physics or astronomy

Job description

Job Posting Title

Postdoctoral Researcher

Position Type

Other Academic

Department

LSUAM Science - PA - Astronomy - General (Matthew Penny (00061277))

Work Location

0261 J.W. Nicholson Hall

Pay Grade

Other Academic

Job Description

Title: Postdoctoral Researcher to work on Gravitational Microlensing, Exoplanet Transits, or Galactic Structure using data from the Roman Galactic Bulge Time Domain Survey

Applicants are sought for a postdoctoral researcher position at Louisiana State University to work on data from the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope's Galactic Bulge Time Domain Survey (GBTDS). Roman launched in August 2026 and the GBTDS will begin taking data in February 2027. The researcher will work within Professor Matthew Penny's group and as part of the Roman GBTDS Project Infrastructure Team (RGES PIT) and/or the Transiting Exoplanets in the Roman Galactic Exoplanet Survey (TrEXS) collaboration.

The topics of most interest to the group are:

• Detection and modeling of exoplanets in Roman microlensing events
• Transiting planet detection and false positive rejection in the Roman GBTDS and ground‑based searches of globular clusters
• Exoplanet demographics with microlensing and/or transits
• Measurement of microlensing parallax for free‑floating and bound exoplanets with Roman and other ground‑and space‑based observatories
• Modeling the Milky Way's bulge and disk using Roman & Euclid data and Population Synthesis Galactic models such as SynthPop
• Detection of black holes through high‑resolution imaging and point spread function characterization with HST, JWST, Euclid & Roman or ground‑based adaptive optics instruments

Prior experience in gravitational microlensing is not required. LSU hosts 7 actively funded Roman grants in various scientific areas tied to the GBTDS, spread across 4 Principal Investigators. The researcher would join a vigorous and collaborative community of researchers all exploring the massive Roman data set for the first time.

The researcher is expected to regularly publish papers, present at conferences and collaboration meetings, and assist the preparation of proposals. Additional duties include assisting in the supervision of graduate and undergraduate students. And ongoing training and professional development, supporting rigor, reproducibility, and advancement of research and scholarship.

Appointments for remote work in the United States are possible, but preference will be given to applicants to work on site at LSU. The researcher may be required to travel nationally and internationally.

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. in physics, astronomy, or a related field. Experience coding in at least one programming language.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience using high-performance or high-throughput computing.

Additional Job Description

Original transcripts are required prior hire.

If the degree is not from the United States, a credential evaluation is required in addition to the official transcripts.

Application deadline is December 1, 2026 or until a candidate is selected. Immediate start available.

An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Posting Date

October 23, 2026

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified)

April 12, 2027

Additional Position Information

Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits - LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more! Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University's partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

Essential Position (Y/N)

N

Equal Opportunity Statement

LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Candidate Work Authorization

All candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment. Changes in laws, regulations, or government policies may impact the university's ability to employ individuals in certain positions.