Job description
Join Lumen Nebula Institute, a premier astronomy research organization based in Flagstaff, Arizona. We are seeking a highly skilled Astronomy Research Scientist to lead observational campaigns, data analysis, and instrument collaboration. The ideal candidate combines deep theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience in data pipelines and scientific writing. This is a full-time position with competitive benefits and opportunities to contribute to high-impact publications.
As part of our science team, you will work closely with astronomers, engineers, and software developers to maximize the scientific return from our observatory facilities. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and a collaborative environment designed to advance knowledge of the cosmos. This role offers the chance to mentor students and contribute to grant-funded projects.
Responsibility
- Lead the planning, execution, and optimization of observational campaigns using ground- and space-based facilities.
- Develop and maintain data analysis pipelines using Python, Astropy, and related tools to process large astronomical data sets.
- Apply statistical methods and machine learning to extract physical insights from spectra, images, and time-series data.
- Collaborate with instrumentation, software, and theoretical teams to design experiments and calibrate instruments.
- Mentor graduate students and interns, guiding research projects and code development.
- Prepare, co-author, and submit manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals; present results at conferences and seminars.
- Ensure rigorous data management, documentation, and reproducibility across projects.
Qualification
- PhD in Astronomy, Astrophysics, or related field from an accredited institution.
- 5+ years of research experience with observational data and data analysis pipelines.
- Strong programming skills in Python; experience with Astropy, NumPy, SciPy, and Jupyter notebooks.
- Experience with spectroscopy or photometry techniques and calibration workflows.
- Proficiency with SQL and database management; familiarity with data versioning and reproducibility practices.
- Proven track record of peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
- Excellent collaboration, communication, and mentoring abilities.