Schmidt Observatory System Postdoctoral Fellows

Schmidt Sciences; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Support for travel and conference attendance

Access to advanced AI and data resources

Job summary

Schmidt Sciences in Baltimore is inviting applications for the Postdoctoral Fellows program. This prestigious role, set within the Schmidt Observatory System, calls for early-career scientists to engage in groundbreaking astrophysical research. Selected candidates will contribute to system performance, develop crucial simulations, and produce scientific publications. With a salary range of $100,000 - $130,000, the position supports collaboration across various disciplines and offers professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated research excellence with a strong publication record.
• Ability to connect scientific questions with technical implementation.
• Experience with instrumentation, observations, or observatory-scale systems.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to system-level analyses for observatory performance.
• Develop simulations and tools for scientific yield predictions.
• Produce technical reports and peer-reviewed publications.

Skills

Technical expertise in instrumentation

Strong communication skills

Collaboration skills

Interest in system-level problems

Education

Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics, Physics, or related field

Tools

AI/ML approaches

Scientific software development

Job description

Schmidt Sciences is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt that works to accelerate scientific knowledge and breakthroughs with the most promising, advanced tools to support a thriving planet. The organization prioritizes research in areas poised for impact including AI and advanced computing, astrophysics, biosciences, climate, and space—as well as supporting researchers in a variety of disciplines through its science systems program.

Summary

The Astrophysics Center at Schmidt Sciences invites applications for the Schmidt Observatory System Postdoctoral Fellows program—a highly selective cohort of early‑career scientists embedded within the development of the Schmidt Observatory System. The system is a coordinated network of ground and space‑based observatories operating with integrated resources across a broad range of astrophysical investigations, with multiple facilities expected to be online in the next 2‑3 years. This program is designed for scientists who want to work at the intersection of observatory design, system performance, and mission‑shaping science. Fellows will contribute directly to the technical and scientific foundations of multiple observatories, influencing how these facilities are built, calibrated, and used by the scientific community.

The Role

Postdoctoral Fellows will be part of the inaugural cohort of approximately five post‑doctoral researchers embedded within the Schmidt Observatory System. This is a two‑year, fixed‑term fellowship with a structured third‑year renewal based on performance. Fellows will develop focused work plans in close collaboration with the team. These plans will be milestone‑driven and delivery‑focused, giving Fellows responsibility for defined problem areas while ensuring close alignment with evolving Observatory System needs. The role combines hands‑on technical contribution, scientific analysis, and close collaboration with internal technical leadership and external partners. Fellows will have direct involvement in decisions that shape how the Observatory System matures from development toward science operations.

Fellowship Structure and Environment

This fellowship is structured around direct contributions to the development and performance of the Schmidt Observatory System, alongside the production of publications and other research artefacts. Fellows are expected to produce scientific and technical publications arising directly from their work. Rather than separating research from programmatic work, this role is designed such that core Observatory System contributions are themselves scientifically substantive and publishable. Work will focus on defined priorities in system development and performance maturation, while allowing Fellows to integrate their research expertise to develop approaches, analyses, and ideas that advance both program goals and their scientific trajectory. Work plans will evolve as the observatories progress. Fellows will work under the guidance of senior members of the Astrophysics Center, within a structured environment that supports both project execution and professional development, with exposure to career paths across academia, observatories, industry, and philanthropy. The fellowship is based at Schmidt Sciences. Support will be available for travel, conference attendance, publications, computing, and access to advanced AI and data resources. Fellows will be expected to take ownership of well‑defined problem areas and drive them from concept through execution to publication.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to and, where appropriate, lead system‑level analyses that improve observatory performance, calibration, and readiness
• Develop simulations, models, and tools that inform instrument design, observational strategy, and predicted scientific yield for key science cases
• Translate technical system behavior into quantified scientific impact
• Contribute to design reviews and cross‑observatory integration efforts
• Produce technical reports, performance forecasts, and peer‑reviewed publications
• Build software tools or analysis frameworks that support observatory capabilities and scientific use
• Collaborate across instrumentation, operations, and data systems teams
• Participate in science definition discussions that shape observatory priorities and observing strategy
• Present work at internal meetings and external conferences, contributing to the broader scientific community
• Contribute to commissioning planning and on‑sky verification of instrument and system performance

Areas of Focus

• AI & Advanced Analysis: Development of AI‑driven methods for scientific analysis, instrument modeling, and user interaction. Includes exploratory work on AI‑assisted workflows, systematics modeling, and new approaches to extracting scientific insight from complex observatory data.
• Dynamic Observatory Operations: Design and analysis of adaptive, system‑level observing strategies, including scheduling, coordination across facilities, and real‑time decision‑making to maximize scientific return.
• Spectroscopy & Science Performance: End‑to‑end modeling and validation of spectroscopic/spectrophotometric performance, including calibration, instrument systematics, and propagation of effects to scientific measurements. Emphasis on translating instrument and system behavior into quantified spectroscopic capability and pipeline development.
• Photometry & Science Performance: Quantification and optimization of photometric precision and stability, including error budgeting, systematics analysis, and performance under realistic observing conditions. Focus on predicting and improving science yield for key photometric investigations, including development of associated pipelines and analysis tools.
• Coronagraph & High‑Contrast Imaging Performance: System‑level modeling and validation of high‑contrast imaging performance, including sensitivity limits, stability, and operational considerations to ensure reliable and well‑characterized performance for exoplanet and related science cases.
• Time‑Domain & Multimessenger Coordination: Development and optimization of system‑level coordination across observatories for time‑domain and multimessenger science. Includes broker ecosystems, alert handling, and strategies for prioritization and follow‑up to enable efficient, high‑impact transient discovery and characterization.
• Future Missions & Observatory Design: Assessment, design, and trade‑space analysis of future observatories and mission concepts. Includes evaluating scientific potential, system architectures, and design choices, and developing frameworks that guide prioritization and the long‑term evolution of the Schmidt Observatory System.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics, Physics, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated research excellence, including a strong publication record
• Technical expertise in a relevant domain (e.g., instrumentation, data systems, simulation, AI/ML, observational astronomy)
• Ability to work across disciplines and rigorously connect scientific questions with technical implementation in a fast‑paced collaborative environment
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Interest in system‑level problems and observatory‑scale challenges

Desired Additional Skills

• Experience with instrumentation, observations, data reduction, or observatory‑scale systems
• Background in data simulation, performance modeling, or error budgeting
• Demonstrated experience developing scientific software, pipelines, and user‑facing analysis tools
• Familiarity with AI/ML approaches in scientific or operational contexts

Salary: $100,000 - $130,000 a year

Access to U.S. export‑controlled information is required. Candidates must be a U.S. person (citizen, permanent resident, or legal asylee or refugee) OR receive approval from the U.S. government to work with U.S. export‑controlled information.

This role is exempt.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Schmidt Sciences is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender‑identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws or prohibited by Company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.