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California Institute of Technology, Physics, Mathematics & Astronomy Division

Scholarship ID:
Caltech-PMA-TDAPD [#30564]
Scholarship Title: 
Postdoctoral Scholarship in Time Domain Astronomy
Scholarship Type:
Postdoctoral
Location:
Pasadena, California 91125, United States of America
Subject Area: 
Astronomy
Compensation:
$72,723 - $75,268
Appl Deadline:
2025/12/10 11:59PMhelp popup (posted 2025/09/15)
Description:
   

Description

The Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy at Caltech will offer one or more postdoctoral scholarships in time domain astronomy. Active research projects include:
  • Transient and stellar astronomy studies with the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF; Caltech is the  PI institution) and Sloan Digital Sky Survey-V (Caltech is a member of SDSS-V)
  • Infrared transient searches with the ongoing PGIR and WINTER surveys at Palomar Observatory; the upcoming Cryoscope pathfinder in Antarctica; the upcoming Roman Space Telescope (the RAPID PIT and RISE WFS teams are led by Caltech)
  • Stellar astrometry and spectroscopy with Gaia and Euclid
  • Machine learning and astroinformatics, including work connected with jointly querying ZTF and Rubin data streams and developing software infrastructure enabling multi-messenger discovery
  • Systematic studies of AGN variability focusing on extreme transient phenomena in accretion disks and supermassive black hole binaries
  • Data mining of extensive light curve archives, including the ZTF Variability Archive (ZVAR), for populations studies of variable phenomena with two decades of data
Associated faculty are Professors Mansi Kasliwal, Matthew Graham, Kareem El-Badry, and Shri Kulkarni. Technical and observational investigations are underway in several areas of optical and infrared time domain astronomy including supernovae, fast radio bursts, gravitational wave counterparts, magnetars, quasars/AGN, exoplanets and compact Galactic binary systems. Postdoctoral scholars will also have the opportunity to interact frequently with Caltech, KITP, and Berkeley faculty through the ZTF Theory Network. Postdocs interested in theory should apply for the Burke Fellowship. Where relevant, this position may be combined with opportunities at other institutional members of the ZTF partnership and SDSS-V partnership.

We encourage applications from candidates interested in developing and/or applying state-of-the-art data science techniques to time domain astronomy problems and large data sets.

The postdoctoral scholarship position will start September 1, 2026 or earlier. The duration of the scholarships is up to three years: an initial two-year appointment with a third year contingent upon satisfactory performance and availability of funds. Scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to propose for time on all of Caltech's astronomical facilities, including those at Palomar Observatory and at the W. M. Keck Observatory.

Electronic copies of the curriculum vitae, publications list (indicate articles which appeared in refereed journals), and statement of research interests are required. The applicant is requested to ensure that at least three letters of recommendation are provided.


Salary range: $72,723 - $75,268

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, qualifications, skills, education, specialty, training, and internal equity.




As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Learn more about our benefits and who is eligible.



We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.
 
If you would like to request an accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the contact on the job posting.


Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Research statement
  • Publication list
  • Three reference letters (to be submitted online by the reference writers on this site help popup)

Further Info:
http://www.pma.caltech.edu/about/job-opportunities
email address
 
1200 E. California Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91125