Job description
Join the Pasadena Institute of Astronomy, a leading center for observational astrophysics and instrument development. We are seeking an Astronomy Research Scientist to lead data-driven investigations, contribute to telescope campaigns, and advance open science through reproducible software.
The successful candidate will work across teamsāobservatories, data centers, and instrument groupsāto extract scientific results from complex datasets. This role emphasizes collaboration, methodological rigor, and effective science communication.
Responsibility
- Lead data-driven observational analyses across multi-wavelength datasets to address fundamental astrophysics questions.
- Design, implement, and optimize data processing pipelines using Python, Astropy, NumPy, and SciPy.
- Collaborate with telescope operations and instrument teams to plan observing campaigns and maximize data quality.
- Develop and maintain software tools for data management, visualization, and reproducible research workflows.
- Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at conferences; contribute to grant proposals.
- Mentor students and early-career researchers; review code and analyses for scientific rigor.
Qualification
- PhD in Astronomy, Astrophysics, or related field, or equivalent research experience.
- Strong programming skills in Python; experience with Astropy, NumPy, SciPy, and data-analysis libraries.
- Proficiency with handling telescope data, FITS formats, astrometry, photometry, and data reduction.
- Experience with SQL, databases, and high-performance computing environments (Linux, clusters).
- Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and contribute to collaborative projects; excellent scientific communication skills.
- Experience with machine learning or statistical methods is a plus; strong problem-solving abilities.
- Eligibility to work in the United States or ability to obtain required visa; willingness to relocate to Pasadena.