Job description
Join Luminara Observatory & Research Institute as an Astronomy Research Scientist. You will contribute to cutting edge observational campaigns, data modeling, and public outreach. This role blends hands on telescope operation with data science and scientific publication.
We welcome applicants who are excited to explore the universe, collaborate across disciplines, and publish impactful results. You will have access to world class facilities and ongoing support for professional development.
Responsibility
- Plan, execute, and optimize nightly observing campaigns using optical and near infrared instruments.
- Operate, calibrate, and maintain telescopes and auxiliary systems; ensure uptime and safety compliance.
- Develop data processing pipelines, analyze large datasets, and contribute to publications and conference presentations.
- Collaborate with engineers to implement instrumentation upgrades and software tools.
- Mentor graduate students and coordinate research projects with external partnerships.
- Create outreach content and communicate findings to diverse audiences through public talks and media.
- Support grant writing, project planning, and budget stewardship for funded programs.
Qualification
- PhD in Astronomy, Physics, or closely related field; or equivalent research experience.
- Proven track record of independent research and peer reviewed publications.
- Strong programming skills (Python preferred; experience with data analysis libraries).
- Experience with telescope operations, data reduction, and astronomical image processing.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and project management abilities.
- Knowledge of statistical methods and scientific computing; experience with SQL/NoSQL databases is a plus.
- Ability to work in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team and adapt to evolving priorities.