The MIT Kavli Institute (MKI) for Astrophysics and Space Research invites applications for the MIT Kavli Postdoctoral Fellowship in Astrophysics. The appointment will be made to an outstanding researcher displaying significant promise in any area of astrophysics, including theory, observation, or instrumentation. MKI has access to the 6.5m Magellan Telescopes at Las Campanas Observatory, Chile. In addition, MKI is a participant in a number of projects that provide opportunity for involvement, including the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS, whose Science Operations Center is headquartered at MKI), the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA), the Chandra X-Ray Center, and NASA’s NICER mission on the ISS International Space Station. Opportunities exist for candidates with interest in space- or ground-based instrumentation at optical, IR, X-ray and or radio frequencies.

The appointment will be for a maximum of three years, with annual renewal contingent on performance. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics, physics, or equivalent, by the date of their appointment. The stipend for 2021-2022 will be approximately $76,000 with a research budget of approximately $15,000. Funds will also be provided for health benefits.

The application deadline is December 6, 2020. Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, list of publications, and a statement explaining their past and current research (maximum 3 pages) as well as a research proposal (maximum 3 pages) and should arrange for three letters of recommendation to be submitted. Only web submissions will be accepted.

Non-U.S. nationals who are offered a postdoctoral fellowship must hold appropriate non-immigrant status, such as J-1, F-1 OPT/STEM, or other employment authorization (EAD), for the duration of the fellowship appointment. Please note that H-1B and E-3 employment-based, non-immigrant visa sponsorships are not possible for this position.

MIT is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants due to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability.

MIT is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin. MIT’s full policy on Nondiscrimination can be found here. Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check, including verifying any finding of misconduct (or pending investigation) from prior employers.