Schmidt Observatory System Postdoctoral Fellows

Schmidt Sciences • New York, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

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. 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 Schmidt Observatory 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. Fellows will operate within a small, high-impact team working fluidly across multiple observatories, engaging directly with scientists, engineers, and leadership. Day-to-day work includes developing and evaluating system architectures, advancing calibration and analysis methodologies, and translating scientific goals into technical requirements and operational strategies. Fellows are expected to take ownership of key problem areas, producing both scientific results and enabling capabilities, with the opportunity to shape critical decisions at a stage when trade-offs remain open.

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

Nice To Haves

• 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

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

Benefits

• Support will be available for travel, conference attendance, publications, computing, and access to advanced AI and data resources.

What This Job Offers

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