Job Openings

Postdoctoral position in exoplanets

No. 25429
Position/Title: Postdoctoral position in exoplanets
Institution: Vanderbilt University

Submit Resumes To:
Attention: Joshua Pepper
Vanderbilt Physics & Astronomy Dept.
VU Station B 1807
Nashville, TN 37235

Tel: 615-322-2828
FAX: 615-343-7263

URL1: Vanderbilt Astronomy
URL2: Vanderbilt Initiative in Data-intensive Astrophysics (VIDA)
URL3: Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge Program

Email Submission Address: joshua-dot-pepper-at-vanderbilt-dot-edu
Email Inquiries: joshua-dot-pepper-at-vanderbilt-dot-edu

The closing date for receipt of applications: 03/15/2009

Job Description: Vanderbilt is affiliated with two exoplanet searches: the KELT wide-field transit survey and MARVELS, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey III (SDSS-III) radial-velocity survey. The successful candidate will work as part of the Vanderbilt Initiative in Data-intensive Astrophysics team. Experience with data reduction and analysis is required. Experience with photometric and/or radial-velocity surveys is highly desirable. Half of the time will be spent working directly on the MARVELS survey, for which occasional visits with the MARVELS team at the University of Florida will be required. The other half of the time is for projects of the candidate's choosing, utilizing the full capabilities of the KELT and MARVELS data sets; the applicant will be encouraged to develop his/her own research projects and test new ideas. We are looking for an applicant with the ability to jump into these collaborations, quickly implement ideas, simulations or reduction routines, and also with the creativity to combine data from different regimes to develop new ways to find and characterize exoplanets. Depending on the candidate's career aspirations, there is also the opportunity to participate in mentoring of students in the Vanderbilt PhD program, to gain experience in diversity initiatives through the Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge program, and/or to participate in professional development through the Vanderbilt Future Faculty Preparation Program. The position is for two years, with a third year likely depending on funding and performance. Vanderbilt is an affirmative action employer.

Please submit CV including list of publications, names and email addresses of three references, and a brief (1-2 page) research statement.

Included Benefits: Full health benefits are included, and matched retirement benefits are provided after the first year.