Postdoctoral Fellow - Observational Demographics of Stars and Exoplanets - 525449

Pay Grade/Pay Range: Minimum: $48,600 - Midpoint: $60,800 (Salaried E7)

Department/Organization: 204461 - Physics

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:45pm

Job Summary: The Postdoctoral Fellow provides for an internship and continuation of scholarly activity and research after achieving the Ph.D. or other doctoral degree under the direction of a senior faculty member who serves as a mentor for the postdoctoral appointee.

Additional Department Summary: The University of Alabama offers a lively academic community and access to the SARA telescope consortium with access to observatory facilities in Chile, Arizona, and the Canary Islands. Postdocs in the University of Alabama Department of Physics and Astronomy also have access to High-Performance Computing facilities at UA, including the High Performance Computing and Data Center, to be completed on campus by August 2026.

This position collaborates with others in the growing machine learning and exoplanet subgroups within the Physics and Astronomy department, as well as the Alabama Cyber Institute and Department of Geological Sciences, among others. Conducts work supporting the exploration of evolved planet demographics. Maintains and extends existing tools to utilize existing data to better understand this unique planet population and establish scientific links between main sequence and white dwarf planet populations. Participates in the preparation, publication, and dissemination of scientific results in peer reviewed journals and at conferences. Assists in the preparation of telescope time and funding proposals for submission to NASA and the NSF. Collaborates with and mentors students in the research group.

Required Department Minimum Qualifications: Ph.D. in Physics, Astronomy, or a related field.

Candidates will need to have completed their Ph.D. by the start of employment. Applicants should upload a cover letter, curriculum vitae (including a list of publications), and a brief research statement up to 3 pages including figures (but not references) that summarizes the candidate's experience, research interests, and an outlined plan of their proposed postdoctoral research. Applicants should include at least two references in the reference section of the application.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience in data acquisition and analysis software and familiarity with database structures, preferably with astrophysics data maintained by MAST (Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes). Experience with the detection and characterization of substellar bodies.

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, genetic or family medical history information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" Poster