Astrophysicist (Post Doctoral Research Fellow) (IS-1330-11)

Smithsonian Institution•Cambridge, MA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a time-limited position for an Astrophysicist (Post-doctoral Research Fellow) in the High Energy Astrophysics Division of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The employee works under the direction of an Astrophysicist within the Division. The purpose of this position is to train postdoctoral researchers to conceive, plan, and conduct highly specialized research in the incumbent's area of expertise.

Requirements

Degree: in one or a combination of astronomy, physics, mathematics, space science, or electronics. The course work must have included differential and integral calculus and 12 semester hours in astronomy and/or physics.
Combination of education and experience -- at least 30 semester hours of courses equivalent to a major in any combination of astronomy, space science, physics, mathematics, and electronics, with required course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Master's or equivalent graduate degree; or
Minimum of one year specialized experience equivalent to at least grade 9 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as the analysis and interpretation of astronomical data leading to publications in peer reviewed journals or presentations at meetings or conferences.
Knowledge of the technical methods, principles and practices of the fields of physics/astrophysics.
Ability to perform scientific research as may be evidenced by receipt of a Ph.D.
Knowledge of and ability to utilize spectral fitting with complex models in XSPEC or SPEX using advanced methods to characterize the parameter space and identify absolute minima from local minima
Ability to present findings in a publishable format and to present material at professional meetings.
Ability to apply modern computer technology to the solution of scientific programs.
Knowledge of scientific programming, modern methods of software generation, verification, and documentation.

Responsibilities

Participate in and carry out scientific research and scholarship involving a program of high-resolution spectroscopy and high angular resolution studies on supernova remnants.
Participate in the preparation and submission of proposals for studies using appropriate space-based facilities such as Chandra, XRISM, XMM-Newton, JWST, Roman, etc.
Participate in analysis and interpretation of ground-based optical observations of supernovae and supernova remnants.
Prepare papers, present research results for publication in scientific meetings journals and presentation at conferences. Participate in meetings and conferences to discuss current research and to exchange ideas with other scientists.
Utilize advanced numerical and statistical methods to apply complex spectral and spatial models to the Chandra, XRISM, and XMM-Newton data.
Give advice on analysis techniques and scientific approaches to others working on the same or related projects as appropriate.
Performs other duties as assigned