Astrophysicist (Post Doctoral Research Fellow), IS-1330-11

Description

OPENING DATE: April 6, 2026

CLOSING DATE: April 20, 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: Optical and Infrared Astronomy

LOCATION: Cambridge, MA

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all eligible candidates to work in the U.S.


SAO is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

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.

OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION
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 the position of Astrophysicist (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow) in the Optical and Infrared Astronomy Division of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO). The purpose of this position is to support the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) as a member of the TESS Science Office at SAO, with a focus on the work of the TESS Follow-up Observing Program Working Group (TFOPWG) in confirming and characterizing transiting planet candidates identified by the mission, in particular by employing seeing-limited photometry to observe TESS Objects of Interest (TOIs). The incumbent will also formulate and conduct an original program of independent astronomical research, with an emphasis on studies of exoplanets

MAJOR DUTIES

Participate in the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)-a NASA Explorer Class mission

• -as a member of the TESS Science Office at SAO, with a focus on the work of the TESS Follow-up Observing Program Working Group (TFOPWG) in confirming and characterizing transiting planet candidates identified by the mission, especially on the work of Sub Group 1 (SG1) that uses seeing-limited photometry to observe TESS Objects of Interest (TOIs).

• Review photometric data submitted by the members of SG1, an international team of more than 400 observers. Confirm that the observations have been reduced correctly and prepare reports that update the dispositions and priorities of the TOIs and are suitable for general distribution. Update the requests for the next desired type of photometric follow-up, updating the ephemerides as needed. Provide feedback to observers as needed. Enter updated information into the SG1 Observation Coordinator Sheet as needed.

• Schedule observations of TOIs with Facilities such as KeplerCam on SAO’s 1.2-m telescope at the Whipple Observatory and the network of telescopes operated by the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope (LCOGT). Analyze the photometric data with tools such as AstroImageJ and upload the results to ExoFOP-TESS.

• Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research in which engaged, including preparing papers for publication in scientific journals, and preparing and presenting findings at scientific meetings as required. Help manage SG1 contributions to papers. Work with authors of papers to identify light curves available for analysis and contribute

• Engage in the wider research and scholarly activities, formulate and conduct original programs of independent astronomical research, with an emphasis on studies of exoplanets.

• Perform other related duties as required.

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.

Additional Requirements:

In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must 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 such as demonstrated proficiency in modeling photometric and radial velocity transiting exoplanet data using tools such as EXOFAST, writing contributions to scientific journal papers using tools such as Overleaf, experience conducting ground-based transit observations using robotic telescopes, experience extracting lightcurve data from a time-series of images using data reduction tools such as AstroImageJ, a demonstrated proficiency in interpreting ground-based lightcurves that are contaminated with typical ground-based systemics, a working knowledge of the technical methods and practices of the field of exoplanets, and a working knowledge of the python scripting language.
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 field of stellar astronomy and astrophysics of exoplanets as evidenced by a Ph.D. degree involving research in fields related to these topics.
• Knowledge of astronomical photometry, and skill in observations of stellar light curves with CCD cameras, including reducing and analyzing photometric data with tools such as AstroImageJ.
• Knowledge of the published literature on the astronomical and astrophysical characteristics of transiting planets and the stars they orbit. • Ability to work effectively as part of a research group or scientific team. Ability to perform independent scientific investigations.
• Skill in leading the preparation of scientific papers for publication and the presentation of scientific results at seminars and meetings.
• Ability to develop and utilize appropriate computer codes and data analysis procedures for application to the research areas described above.
• Ability to prepare reports of findings and to communicate these results both orally and in writing.

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 [email protected] . 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

About Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

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.