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Postdoctoral Scholar on Fast Radio Bursts

Position overview

Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar on Fast Radio Bursts
Salary range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. The posted UCSC salary scales set the minimum pay based on the individual’s Experience Level, which is determined by the number of months of postdoctoral service at any institution. See the salary scale titled, Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee /Postdoctoral Scholar-Fellow / Postdoctoral Scholar-Paid Direct -Fiscal Year. A reasonable estimate for this position is $66,737 - $80,034.
Percent time: Full-time (100%)
Anticipated start: The start date is negotiable, but it can be no later than December 15, 2025.
Position duration: Maximum Duration of Service in a Postdoctoral Title: Postdoctoral Scholar appointments are full-time and the initial appointment is for a minimum of two years. For this position, there is a possibility of reappointment for a third year subject to performance, need, and funding. The total duration of an individual’s postdoctoral service may not exceed five years, including postdoctoral service at any institution.

Application Window

Open date: October 11, 2024

Next review date: Monday, Dec 2, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Friday, Oct 10, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Professor Bryan Gaensler in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for the position Postdoctoral Scholar on Fast Radio Bursts. The successful candidate will work on scientific and technical problems related to the CHIME/FRB survey for fast radio bursts, the associated CHIME/FRB outrigger system, and relevant multi-wavelength follow-up. The appointee will also contribute to the supervision of graduate and undergraduate students. Researchers with skills in radio astronomy, time-domain astrophysics, analysis of large astronomy catalogs, or radio polarimetry are all encouraged to apply. Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact Professor Gaensler (gaensler@ucsc.edu) for additional information on the position and on the CHIME/FRB project before submitting their application.

UCSC is a world leader in astronomy and astrophysics. The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics is co-located with and has strong ties to the Department of Physics, the Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics (SCIPP), and University of California Observatories (UCO). UCSC is a spectacularly beautiful campus, located in a redwood forest on the edge of the city of Santa Cruz. Renowned for its surf, beaches, mountains, sunny weather, and culture, Santa Cruz and the adjacent Bay Area offer a huge range of indoor and outdoor pursuits.

The nature of the position will require the postdoctoral scholar to fulfill the following responsibilities. Applicants should ensure their cover letter addresses each of these responsibilities.

  • Demonstrated record of successful communication skills (as evidenced by outputs such as refereed journal publications, conference talks, grants, observing/computing proposals, etc.).
  • Demonstrated experience in radio astronomy, time-domain astrophysics, analysis of large astronomy catalogs, or radio polarimetry.
  • Expertise on fast radio bursts and/or associated multi-wavelength follow-up.
  • Experience in supervision and mentoring of research students.

Astronomy and Astrophysics Department: https://www.astro.ucsc.edu/

CHIME Telescope: https://chime-experiment.ca/en

Professor Gaensler's Home Page: https://bryangaensler.net/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at the time the application is submitted)
  • Ph.D. (or equivalent foreign degree) in astronomy, astrophysics, or a related field. Ph.D. must be in hand at the time of the appointment (rather than at the time of application) and no later than December 15, 2025.

Given the appointment start date is negotiable, but will be no later than December 15, 2025, please ensure your application provides evidence that your Ph.D. will be in hand on or before December 14, 2025.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., which must include a list of publications (please include DOI links or URL of PDFs).

  • Cover Letter - Letter of application that briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position. Please be sure to explicitly address each of the responsibilities listed in the job advertisement.

  • Statement of Research - The research statement should be a one-page summary of current and future research interests relevant to CHIME/FRB and fast radio bursts.

Reference requirements
  • 3 letters of reference required

Applications must include confidential letters of recommendation*. Note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.

*All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC’s confidentiality statement at http://apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm.

Apply link: https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF01826

Help contact: gaensler@ucsc.edu

About UC Santa Cruz

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees. Inquiries regarding the University’s equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to the Equity and Equal Protection Office at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 or by email at equity@ucsc.edu.

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Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check (see https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify). The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz (see https://apo.ucsc.edu/policy/capm/102.530.html).

UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at roberts@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4602.

UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website at https://www.hercjobs.org/regions/higher-ed-careers-northern-california/ to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.

The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance. For information about employee benefits please visit https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

VISIT UC Santa Cruz: https://www.ucsc.edu

Job location

Santa Cruz, CA