Postdoc: Observational Cosmology & Weak Lensing

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

38d

About The Position

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL. Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence. JPL is unique among NASA Centers in that its staff are Caltech employees, yet can access NASA technical resources. Cross-discipline teamwork is standard here: colleagues across JPL's science and engineering organizations and on Caltech's academic campus often work together. Learning to speak and understand other disciplines' languages is a doorway to the creativity needed to do what has not been done before. JPL staff are encouraged to create mission concepts that address humanity's core questions through a combination of science and technology. They are supported in developing ideas into proposals and hardware, and in communicating funded missions' results to the scientific community and the broader public. JPL seeks to employ scientists and engineers who are passionate about lifelong learning and excited to both contribute to and lead team efforts. We emphasize the importance of partnering across discipline boundaries and creating a friendly, constructive work environment to overcome space exploration's challenges. The Postdoctoral scholars at JPL benefit from an informal mentoring network, an annual conference showcasing their results, a dedicated seminar series, exposure to diverse career paths, and social connections across the JPL and Caltech community for advice on housing, childcare, and other aspects of living in southern California. JPL’s Cosmology group is seeking two postdocs with expertise in observational cosmology to conduct independent research relevant to the analysis of the next-generation cosmological surveys, including the Roman Space Telescope and the SPHEREx mission.

Requirements

• PhD in astronomy, physics, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated research experience in one or more of the following areas: Weak gravitational lensing and/or cosmological shear measurement Statistical and systematic error characterization in cosmological surveys Galaxy clustering or large-scale structure analysis
• Experience working with large astrophysical datasets from ground-based or space-based surveys
• Proficiency in scientific programming and data analysis (e.g., Python, C/C++, or similar)
• Strong publication record or demonstrated potential for peer-reviewed research output
• Applicants may be subject to additional program requirements by NASA.

Responsibilities

• The postdocs will contribute to research focused on cosmological shear measurement, galaxy clustering analyses, and the characterization of statistical and systematic uncertainties in large survey datasets.
• Their work might include generating and analyzing mock cosmological surveys and developing or applying ML/AI-based tools to analyze large astrophysical datasets.
• The appointee will carry out research in collaboration with the JPL advisor, resulting in publications in the open literature.

Benefits

• JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more.
• Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together.
• For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.
• For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree