Astrophysisicst (Post Doctoral Research Fellow) (IS-1330-11)

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescriptionOPENING DATE: December 4, 2025
CLOSING DATE: January 2, 2026
SERIES/GRADE: IS-1330-11
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust (Non-Federal)Temporary Not To Exceed Two Years With The Possibility Of Extension For An Additional Year.
DIVISION: High Energy Astrophysics
LOCATION: Cambridge, MA
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all eligible candidates.
What are Trust Fund Positions?Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
• Complete a Probationary Period if applicable.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEWINTRODUCTION
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.

SUMMARY
This is a time-limited position for an Astrophysicist (Post-doctoral Research Fellow) in the High Energy Astrophysics Division of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The employee works under the direction of an Astrophysicist within the Division. The purpose of this position is to train postdoctoral researchers to conceive, plan, and conduct highly specialized research in the incumbent's area of expertise.
MAJOR DUTIES

1. Participate in and carry out scientific research and scholarship involving a program of high-resolution spectroscopy and high angular resolution studies on supernova remnants.
2. Participate in the preparation and submission of proposals for studies using appropriate space-based facilities such as Chandra, XRISM, XMM-Newton, JWST, Roman, etc.
3. Participate in analysis and interpretation of ground-based optical observations of supernovae and supernova remnants.
4. Prepare papers, present research results for publication in scientific meetings journals and presentation at conferences. Participate in meetings and conferences to discuss current research and to exchange ideas with other scientists.
5. Utilize advanced numerical and statistical methods to apply complex spectral and spatial models to the Chandra, XRISM, and XMM-Newton data.
6. Give advice on analysis techniques and scientific approaches to others working on the same or related projects as appropriate.
7. Performs other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Basic Requirements: A. Degree: in one or a combination of astronomy, physics, mathematics, space science, or electronics. The course work must have included differential and integral calculus and 12 semester hours in astronomy and/or physics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience -- at least 30 semester hours of courses equivalent to a major in any combination of astronomy, space science, physics, mathematics, and electronics, with required course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to the basic requirements, candidatesmust also possess one of the following:

A. Master's or equivalent graduate degree; or

B. Minimum of one year specialized experience equivalent to at least grade 9 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as the analysis and interpretation of astronomical data leading to publications in peer reviewed journals or presentations at meetings or conferences.

Or

C. Combination of successfully completed graduate level education and experience equivalent to the above.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required:

• Knowledge of the technical methods, principles and practices of the fields of physics/astrophysics.
• Ability to perform scientific research as may be evidenced by receipt of a Ph.D.
• Knowledge of and ability to utilize spectral fitting with complex models in XSPEC or SPEX using advanced methods to characterize the parameter space and identify absolute minima from local minima
• Ability to present findings in a publishable format and to present material at professional meetings.
• Ability to apply modern computer technology to the solution of scientific programs.
• Knowledge of scientific programming, modern methods of software generation, verification, and documentation.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package. Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager. Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact hr@cfa.harvard.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is joined by Harvard College Observatory to form the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. The Center is a collaboration between Harvard and Smithsonian designed to ask — and ultimately answer — humanity’s greatest unresolved questions about the nature of the universe. Founded in 1973, the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian is an ongoing collaboration designed to foster innovation and propel discovery. Our mission is to advance knowledge of the Universe through research in astronomy and astrophysics and in related areas of fundamental physics and geophysics.

At the CfA, scientists in a broad range of disciplines study the universe at every scale, from every wavelength, and using telescopes and instruments that span and orbit the globe, all with a single purpose: making groundbreaking discoveries that advance human knowledge.Apply NowApply Now
Department

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Employment Type

Full Time
Location

Cambridge, MA
Workplace type

Onsite
Compensation

$83,742 - $108,859 / year
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