Research Assistant - Gaia Variable Star Machine Learning

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill; Elkins Hills (NC); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Part time

Job summary

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks a part-time Research Assistant to support the Gaia in Technicolor project. You will apply machine learning and functional data analysis to classify millions of variable stars from Gaia DR3 photometry under the guidance of Dr. Barlow and Dr.

Zikry. The appointment is 30 hours per week with a start date of 2027-01-04 and a duration of 1 to 6 months.

Qualifications

• Experience with Gaia DR3 multi-epoch photometry or HR diagram analysis.
• Background in functional data analysis or smoothing/clustering methods.
• Experience with high-performance computing (e.g., UNC Longleaf) or GPU clouds.
• Familiarity with time-domain survey data and variable star astrophysics.
• Ability to develop interactive web-based data visualizations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary day-to-day researcher on the Gaia project under supervision.
• Assist in discovery, characterization, and dissemination of results.
• Coordinate with project PIs and meet bi-weekly to review progress.

Skills

Gaia DR3 photometry

Functional data analysis

High-performance computing

Time-domain astronomy

Data visualization tools

Job description

Posting Information

Department: Physics and Astronomy - 319000

Career Area: Research Professionals

Posting Open Date: 11/01/2026

Application Deadline: 11/15/2026

Position Type: Temporary Staff (SHRA)

Position Title: Research Assistant - Gaia Variable Star Machine Learning

Position Number: 20079171

Vacancy ID: S028189

Full-time/Part-time: Part-Time Temporary

Hours per week: 30

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Position Location: North Carolina, US

Hiring Range: $26.00 per hour

Proposed Start Date: 01/04/2027

Estimated Duration of Appointment: 1 to 6 months

Quick Link: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/327595

Position Information

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Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit: Our primary mission is providing instruction of the highest quality in physics and astronomy to undergraduate and graduate students at UNC‑CH. Training in physics is fundamental among the natural sciences because it provides understanding of the forces governing the structure of matter, from subatomic particles to the large-scale structure of the universe. Our departmental instructional mission spans all segments of the student community. Over 60% of all college graduates from UNC‑CH have taken a course in our department. Among them: undergraduate liberal arts majors who should master the power of quantitative reasoning; undergraduates seeking a degree in another of the natural sciences, who need physics as a foundation for their advanced scientific training; the small number of undergraduates who major in physics, to whom we provide broad and rigorous training. Our graduate education and research advances frontiers of knowledge at the two extremes of space and time, from the very small) the realm of particle physics) to the very large (the realm of astronomy, while expanding the boundaries of knowledge in the many subfields spanning length scales between. Forefront physics and astronomy research requires access to well-equipped laboratories and extensive computing capabilities; it also must be supported by comprehensive and accessible library collections. Again, in research at this advanced level, the bridging aspect of physics provides basic interdisciplinary insight for many other sciences. This instructional mission is supported by a strong managerial, administrative, and technical staff. Duties of these employees range from budget planning and management for the numerous research grants held by faculty in the department to maintaining course and student records. These activities are usually accomplished in a standard 40- hour week schedule.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy seeks a temporary (30 hours/week) Research Assistant to support the CAS Seed Program project 'Gaia in Technicolor: A Novel Approach for Mapping the Variability of Stars through H-R Diagram Motions' (PI: Dr. Brad Barlow; Co-I: Dr. Tarek Zikry). The project uses machine learning and functional data analysis to classify millions of variable stars from their motions through the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram in European Space Agency Gaia DR3 multi-epoch photometry. The Research Assistant will serve as the primary day-to-day researcher during the discovery, characterization, and dissemination phases of the project, working under the supervision of Drs. Barlow and Zikry and meeting with them bi-weekly.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.

Management Preferences

• Research experience with Gaia DR3 multi-epoch photometry or H-R diagram/color-magnitude diagram analysis
• Experience with functional data analysis, smoothing splines, or unsupervised clustering methods
• Experience using high-performance computing (e.g., UNC Longleaf) or GPU cloud computing resources
• Familiarity with time-domain survey data (TESS, ZTF, ASAS-SN) or variable star astrophysics
• Experience building interactive web-based data visualization tools

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities: Not Applicable.

Posting Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at [phone] or send an email to [e-mail]

Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.