Senior Astrophysicist - Observational Astronomy

Placements24; Upington; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Conference travel

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Astrophysicist specializing in Observational Astronomy to join an renowned institution in Upington. The role requires on-site presence to develop and utilize advanced astronomical facilities and to lead cutting-edge research using state-of-the-art telescopes.

The ideal candidate will hold a Ph.D., have extensive postdoctoral observational experience, and possess strong data-analysis skills with IRAF, CASA, and Python (Astropy).

Qualifications

• PhD in Astronomy, Astrophysics or related field.
• 8+ years of postdoctoral research in observational astronomy.
• Strong publication record and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct original research in observational astrophysics.
• Plan, execute, and analyze observations using optical and radio telescopes.
• Develop data reduction pipelines and analysis techniques.
• Collaborate with instrument scientists on new observational tech.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to outreach programs.

Skills

Observational astronomy

Data analysis

Research planning

Education

Ph.D. in Astronomy or Astrophysics

Tools

IRAF

CASA

Python (Astropy)

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned institution for astronomical research, is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Astrophysicist specializing in Observational Astronomy to join their team in Upington. This position requires a dedicated on-site presence to utilize and contribute to the development of advanced astronomical facilities. You will be at the forefront of exploring the universe, conducting groundbreaking research using state-of-the-art telescopes, and analyzing vast amounts of observational data. The ideal candidate possesses a deep theoretical understanding of astrophysics, extensive experience with observational techniques, and a passion for making significant contributions to our understanding of cosmic phenomena. This is an exceptional opportunity to work within a world-class research environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct original research in observational astrophysics, focusing on areas such as cosmology, galaxy evolution, or stellar physics.
• Plan, execute, and analyze astronomical observations using optical and radio telescopes.
• Develop and refine data reduction pipelines and analysis techniques for astronomical datasets.
• Collaborate with instrument scientists and engineers on the development and testing of new observational technologies.
• Publish research findings in leading peer-reviewed journals and present work at international conferences.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to the scientific programming and outreach activities of the observatory.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Astronomy, Astrophysics, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of postdoctoral research experience in observational astronomy.
• Demonstrated expertise in data analysis using astronomical software packages (e.g., IRAF, CASA, Python with Astropy).
• Extensive experience with operating and analyzing data from major ground-based telescopes.
• Strong theoretical background in relevant areas of astrophysics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for scientific publications and presentations.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and benefits package.
• Access to cutting-edge observational facilities and computational resources.
• Opportunities for professional development and travel to conferences.
• Relocation assistance may be available.
• A vibrant and collaborative research community in the unique setting of Upington.
• Contribution to significant discoveries shaping our view of the cosmos.