Postdoctoral Scholar in Intensity Interferometry

Carnegie Science; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Two years guaranteed funding

Job summary

Carnegie Science invites applications for a postdoctoral scholar to work with Nick Konidaris on the Sephira Intensity Interferometer Array. The role focuses on defining what intensity interferometry can become, with opportunities to pursue hardware, software, and scientific use cases.

The successful candidate will have substantial freedom to develop new capabilities and own major parts of the effort, with access to Carnegie resources and potential collaboration with the Weizmann Institute of

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required or expected before appointment.
• Experience with intensity interferometry is not required but helpful.

Responsibilities

• Define and advance the Scope of intensity interferometry applications.
• Develop hardware/software methodologies and pursue fundamental research.
• Collaborate with a small team and potentially spend time at international partners.

Skills

Optical instrumentation

Photon-counting detectors

Signal processing

Image reconstruction

Astronomical applications of interfer

Education

Ph.D. in astrophysics/physics/engineering

Tools

Python

Matlab

Job description

Carnegie Science invites applications for a postdoctoral scholar to work with Nick Konidaris on the Sephira Intensity Interferometer Array. Sephira is a new telescope and intensity-interferometry array being built at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. Sephira will be used as a testbed; our initial science goals include studying binary stars.

We are looking for a scientist-builder who wants to help define what intensity interferometry can become. Relevant experience or interests may include optical instrumentation, SPAD arrays and photon-counting detectors, digital correlation, signal processing, image reconstruction, or astronomical applications of intensity interferometry. Prior experience with intensity interferometry is not required.

The successful candidate will have substantial freedom to pursue fundamental research involving the hardware, software, methodology, or scientific uses of intensity interferometry. Our team is small right now, giving the postdoctoral scholar opportunities to develop new capabilities and take ownership of major parts of the effort. Our team is also working on new infrared spectrographs (Henrietta and MIRMOS), and we welcome ways to couple those instruments to the Sephira array.

Start Date/Duration

• We prefer to start as soon as possible. We anticipate conducting a separate search for an additional postdoctoral scholar beginning in early 2027.
• The position includes two years of guaranteed funding, with the possibility of renewal for a third year.

Research Environment

The postdoctoral scholar will have access to a broad range of Carnegie resources, including the Swope and Magellan telescopes, SDSS-V data and collaborations, high-performance computing, and a dedicated research budget. The scholar may also spend substantial time at the Weizmann Institute and participate fully in the research community there.

Qualifications

Applicants should hold, or expect to receive before beginning the appointment, a Ph.D. in astrophysics, physics, engineering, or a closely related field.

Carnegie Institution for Science has a long-standing commitment to equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment. All applicants will receive consideration of employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.