Senior Astrophysicist - Observational Cosmology

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Professional development support

Travel to conferences

Remote data analysis

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Astrophysicist for an astronomical research institute in Upington, Northern Cape. You will lead observational cosmology projects, analyze data from state-of-the-art telescopes, and contribute to theoretical models.

The role requires a PhD, 5+ years postdoc in observational cosmology, strong programming skills (Python, C++, IDL), and experience with large surveys. You will publish in top journals and mentor junior researchers, with opportunities for international

Qualifications

• PhD in astronomy or cosmology required.
• 5+ years postdoc in observational cosmology.
• Strong cosmology theory knowledge: inflation, dark matter, dark energy.
• Proven experience analyzing large surveys.
• Proficient in Python, C++, IDL and relevant libraries.
• Experience with astronomical software and pipelines.
• Ability to lead independent and collaborative research.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute observational cosmology research projects.
• Analyze large astronomical datasets from telescopes and surveys (e.g., DES, LSST, SKA).
• Develop statistical and computational data analysis methods.
• Interpret observational results within cosmological models (e.g., Lambda-CDM).
• Collaborate with international teams on joint projects and data analysis efforts.
• Publish in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at conferences.
• Supervise and mentor graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.
• Stay current with developments in observational cosmology and instrumentation.
• Contribute to the development of new observational strategies and data analysis techniques.
• Operate and potentially contribute to the development of telescope instrumentation or data reduction pipelines.

Skills

Python

C++

IDL

Data analysis

Scientific writing

Education

PhD in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, or related field

Tools

Data reduction pipelines

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prestigious astronomical research institute, is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Astrophysicist to join their research team. This role will focus on observational cosmology, utilizing data from cutting-edge telescopes and surveys to investigate fundamental questions about the universe. You will play a key role in analyzing complex observational data, developing theoretical models, and contributing to high-impact scientific publications. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of cosmological principles, expertise in astronomical data analysis, and a passion for unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos. This is an exceptional opportunity to conduct groundbreaking research in Upington, Northern Cape, ZA .

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute observational research projects in the field of cosmology.
• Analyze large astronomical datasets from telescopes and surveys (e.g., DES, LSST, SKA).
• Develop and apply sophisticated statistical and computational methods for data analysis.
• Interpret observational results within the framework of cosmological models (e.g., Lambda-CDM).
• Collaborate with international research teams on joint projects and data analysis efforts.
• Write scientific papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at conferences.
• Supervise and mentor graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.
• Stay current with the latest developments in observational cosmology and instrumentation.
• Contribute to the development of new observational strategies and data analysis techniques.
• Operate and potentially contribute to the development of telescope instrumentation or data reduction pipelines.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, or a related field with a specialization in cosmology.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral research experience in observational cosmology.
• Strong theoretical knowledge of modern cosmology, including inflation, dark matter, and dark energy.
• Proven expertise in analyzing astronomical observational data, including experience with large surveys.
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in astrophysics (e.g., Python, C++, IDL) and relevant analysis libraries.
• Experience with astronomical software packages and data reduction pipelines.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and lead collaborative projects.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for scientific writing and presentations.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement contributions, and support for professional development and travel to conferences. As an observational role, while based at our advanced facilities, there may be opportunities for remote analysis of data. We provide access to world-class observational facilities and computational resources. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to fundamental scientific discovery in a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment.