2023 Flatiron Research Fellow Opportunities
- Application deadline
- Applicant notification
- Please send inquiries
about the program to astro@simonsfoundation.org
POSITION SUMMARY
Applications are invited for postdoctoral research positions as Flatiron Research Fellows (FRF) at the Center for Computational Astrophysics (CCA). The CCA offers FRFs the opportunity for independent research in areas that have strong synergy with the CCA or other centers at the Flatiron Institute.
The mission of the Flatiron Institute is to advance scientific knowledge through computational methods, including data analysis, theory, modeling and simulation. It currently houses five centers focused on computational astrophysics (CCA), computational biology (CCB), computational mathematics (CCM), computational neuroscience (CCN) and computational quantum physics (CCQ), as well as a scientific computing core (SCC) that maintains state-of-the-art computing facilities for use by Flatiron Institute scientists. The CCA’s mission is to create, develop and disseminate computational methods, tools and frameworks that allow scientists to build or analyze big astronomical datasets and to use computational and statistical techniques to understand complex, multi-scale physics in astrophysical systems ranging in scales from planets to the universe.
Please see https://www.simonsfoundation.org/flatiron/center-for-computational-astrophysics/ for a full description of CCA research areas and scientific staff.
FRFs are expected to carry out an active research program that can be independently directed and/or involve substantial collaboration with other members of the CCA or Flatiron Institute. In addition to their own research, FRFs help build the rich scientific community at the CCA and Flatiron Institute in the following ways: by participating in seminars, colloquia and group meetings; by developing their software, mathematical and computational expertise through internal educational opportunities; and by sharing their knowledge through scientific publications, presentations and/or software releases. FRFs may also have the opportunity to organize workshops and to mentor graduate and undergraduate students through the CCA Pre-Doctoral Program, the CUNY Astrophysics Master’s Program, the Simons-NSBP Scholars Summer Program and the AstroCom NYC Program. FRFs are welcome to take advantage of CCA partnerships with the Simons Observatory, the Terra Hunting Experiment, Sloan Digital Sky Survey V, Gaia, HIRAX and the NASA SPHEREx mission. In addition, individual CCA research scientists have significant roles in a variety of collaborations and projects, including Learning the Universe, SIMBIG, Vera Rubin, Euclid, Roman, CAMELS, MESA, AstroPy and NANOGrav, which would welcome FRF collaborators. Many CCA scientists have joint appointments with other neighboring institutions as well.
The CCA welcomes any applicant who feels that their research program would thrive at the CCA. We have also identified a number of strategic areas where we would particularly welcome applicants’ participation, listed on this webpage under the “Strategic Areas” tab.
FRF positions are generally two-year appointments that can be renewed for a third year, contingent on performance. FRFs receive a research budget and have access to the Flatiron Institute’s powerful scientific computing resources. FRFs may be eligible for subsidized housing within walking distance of the CCA. These positions will be based in our New York City offices, with anticipated start dates between late August and early October 2024.
For more information about careers at the Flatiron Institute, please visit simonsfoundation.org/flatiron/careers.
Education
• Applicants are required to have a Ph.D. in a related field or, if selected, will receive their Ph.D. before the start of the FRF appointment.
Related Skills & Other Requirements
• Ability to do original research in astrophysics
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Ability to present research and other types of work, internally and externally
• Effective oral and written communication and data documentation
• Intellectual connections to projects in which the CCA is involved (if relevant)
• Expertise in technical elements of computational astrophysics research, which may include but are not limited to the following: algorithm and software development, application or development of computational or statistical methods, data analysis, modeling, statistics and machine learning, scientific simulation or theoretical astrophysics.
Application Materials:
• Curriculum Vitae with bibliography (required)
• Research statement of no more than three (3) pages (including figures and references) describing the applicant’s past work, proposed research program and potential synergies with activities at CCA (required)
• As a component of their research statement, we encourage applicants to discuss their broader impact on the field, what they expect to bring to the CCA and what they expect to gain from being at the CCA.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation submitted confidentially by the letter writers via Interfolio (required)
• Cover letter (optional)
o CCA is committed to diversity and making the field of astrophysics more equitable and inclusive. Applicants are invited to describe their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (whether through personal experiences or academic) in their cover letter, but this is not required.
o The cover letter should note any particular projects (or individuals) with which the applicant is particularly interested in collaborating.
Applicants should follow the detailed guidelines at https://jobregister.aas.org/postdoc-application-guidelines, except that a list of references is not required.
Deadline: All application materials (including letters) must be received by November 1, 2023.
Selection Criteria: Applicants must have a Ph.D. in a related field or expect to receive their Ph.D. before the start of the appointment. Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 1) past research accomplishments, 2) the proposed research program, and 3) the synergy of applicant’s expertise and research proposal topic with existing CCA staff and research programs, and potential to cross boundaries between CCA groups and/or the Flatiron Institute’s centers.
Any queries about the application process or about CCA should be directed to astro@simonsfoundation.org. Queries about the CCA may also be directed to any of the scientific staff at CCA.
THE SIMONS FOUNDATION’S DIVERSITY COMMITMENT
Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences, and we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment. The Simons Foundation actively seeks a diverse applicant pool and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state and local law.
Application Deadline:
November 1, 2023 (11:59 p.m. EST)
Application Notification:
February 15, 2024
Current Status of Position:
Accepting Applicants
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last year’s ad:
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https://jobregister.aas.org/ad/6f9245c8
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- Application deadline
- Applicant notification
- Please send inquiries
about the program to astro@simonsfoundation.org
Applications are invited for postdoctoral research positions as Flatiron Research Fellows (FRF) at the Center for Computational Astrophysics (CCA). The CCA offers FRFs the opportunity for independent research in areas that have strong synergy with the CCA or other centers at the Flatiron Institute.
The mission of the Flatiron Institute is to advance scientific knowledge through computational methods, including data analysis, theory, modeling, and simulation. It currently houses five centers, focused on computational astrophysics (CCA), biology (CCB), mathematics (CCM), neuroscience (CCN) and quantum physics (CCQ), as well as a scientific computing core (SCC) that maintains state-of-the-art computing facilities for use by Flatiron scientists. The CCA’s mission is to create, develop, and disseminate computational methods, tools, and frameworks that allow scientists to build or analyze big astronomical datasets, and to use computational and statistical techniques to understand complex, multi-scale physics in astrophysical systems ranging in scales from planets to the Universe.
Please see https://www.simonsfoundation.org/flatiron/center-for-computational-astrophysics/ for a full description of CCA research areas and scientific staff.
Flatiron Research Fellows are expected to carry out an active research program that can be independently directed and/or involve substantial collaboration with other members of the CCA or Flatiron Institute. In addition to their own research, Fellows help build the rich scientific community at the CCA and Flatiron Institute by: participating in seminars, colloquia, and group meetings; developing their software, mathematical, and computational expertise through internal educational opportunities; and sharing their knowledge through scientific publications, presentations, and/or software releases. Flatiron Research Fellows may also have the opportunity to organize workshops and to mentor graduate and undergraduate students through the CCA Pre-Doctoral Program, the CUNY Astrophysics Masters Program, the Simons-NSBP Scholars Summer Program, and the AstroCom NYC Program. FRFs are welcome to take advantage of CCA partnerships with the Simons Observatory, the Terra Hunting Experiment, Sloan Digital Sky Survey V, Gaia, and the NASA SPHEREx mission. In addition, individual CCA research scientists have significant roles in a variety of collaborations and projects, including Learning the Universe, SIMBIG, Vera Rubin, Euclid, Roman, CAMELS, MESA, AstroPy, NANOGrav, and would welcome FRF collaborators. Many CCA scientists have joint appointments with other neighboring institutions as well.
The CCA welcomes any applicant who feels that their research program would thrive at the CCA. We have also identified a number of strategic areas where we would, particularly welcome applicants’ participation, listed under the “Strategic Areas” tab.
FRF positions are generally two-year appointments that can be renewed for a third year, contingent on performance. FRFs receive a research budget and have access to the Flatiron Institute’s powerful scientific computing resources. FRFs may be eligible for subsidized housing within walking distance of the CCA. These positions will be based in our New York City offices, with anticipated start dates between late August and early October 2023.
In addition, The Center for Computational Astrophysics at the Flatiron Institute and the Astronomy Department at Columbia University invite applications for a joint postdoctoral position. The chosen applicant for this position will conduct independent research as well as contribute to the goals of the Learning the Universe collaboration (www.learning-the-universe.org). If you are interested, please review the full job ad https://bit.ly/3D9KZpy, and indicate your interest when prompted in the Simons Foundation’s application questionnaire.
Education
- Applicants are required to have a Ph.D. in a related field or, if selected, will receive their Ph.D. before the start of the FRF appointment.
Related Skills & Other Requirements
- Ability to do original research in astrophysics
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- Ability to present research and other types of work, internally and externally
- Effective oral and written communication and data documentation
- Intellectual connections to projects in which the CCA is involved (if relevant)
- Expertise in technical elements of computational astrophysics research, which may include but are not limited to: algorithm and software development; application or development of computational or statistical methods; data analysis; modeling; statistics and machine learning; scientific simulation; or theoretical astrophysics.
Application Materials:
- Curriculum Vitae with bibliography (Required)
- Research statement of no more than three pages (including figures and references) describing the applicant’s past work, proposed research program, and potential synergies with activities at CCA (Required)
- We encourage applicants, as a component of their research statement, to discuss their broader impact on the field, what they expect to bring to the CCA, and what they expect to gain from being at the CCA.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation submitted confidentially by the letter writers to astro@simonsfoundation.org (Required)
- Cover letter (optional)
- The Center for Computational Astrophysics is committed to diversity and making the field of Astrophysics more equitable and inclusive. Applicants are invited to describe their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (whether through personal experiences or academics) in their cover letter, but this is not required.
- The cover letter should note any particular projects (or individuals) in which the applicant is particularly interested in collaboration.
- Applicants should follow the detailed guidelines at https://jobregister.aas.org/postdoc-application-guidelines, except that a list of references is not required.
Deadline: All application materials (including letters) must be received by November 1, 2022.
Selection Criteria: Applicants must have a Ph.D. in a related field or expect to receive their Ph.D. before the start of the appointment. Applications will be evaluated based on: 1) past research accomplishments; 2) the proposed research program; 3) the synergy of applicant’s expertise and research proposal topic with existing CCA staff and research programs, and potential to cross boundaries between CCA groups and/or the Flatiron Institute’s centers.
Any queries about the application process or about CCA should be directed to astro@simonsfoundation.org. Queries about the CCA may also be directed to any of the scientific staff at CCA.
THE SIMONS FOUNDATION’S DIVERSITY COMMITMENT
Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences, and we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment. The Simons Foundation actively seeks a diverse applicant pool and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state and local law.
- Application deadline
- Applicant notification
- Please send inquiries
about the program to astro@simonsfoundation.org
Stars and Compact Objects:
• CCA is aiming to strengthen its leadership position in the numerical study (1D and 3D) of stellar structure and evolution, as well as stellar transients.
• Contact person for 3D Stars: Matteo Cantiello, mcantiello@flatironinstitute.org
• Contact person for Stellar Transients: Brian Metzger, bmetzger@flatironinstitute.org
Exoplanets:
• Further development of algorithms and simulation codes for astrophysical radiation hydrodynamics, and/or applications of radiation hydrodynamics to problems in accretion physics or planet formation.
• Development of novel data analysis methodologies for exoplanet atmosphere spectroscopy, and/or theoretical work in atmospheric radiative transfer.
• Contact Person: Yan-Fei Jiang, yjiang@flatironinstitute.org
Astronomical Data:
• The CCA is involved in SDSS-V and the Terra Hunting Experiment. These are precision spectroscopy projects taking large numbers of spectra of stars. Thus, we have interests in all aspects of stellar spectroscopy from calibration and extraction of data to determination of stellar parameters and abundances to mitigation of noise sources in radial-velocity measurements. We also have interests in population-level inferences from stellar abundances and radial-velocity surveys.
• Contact Person: Megan Bedell, mbedell@flatironinstitute.org
Machine Learning X Astrophysics:
Key areas of interest in Machine Learning X Astrophysics at CCA this year are as follows:
• Foundation models for science with emphasis in multi-scale science and astrophysics: in particular, training large scale models on multi-modal scientific data.
• Scientific machine learning: Development and application of modern deep learning methods with the goals of advancing scientific knowledge in the area of astrophysics.
• Software development and engineering in the area of scientific machine learning in order to enable transformative science.
• Contact Person: Shirley Ho, shirleyho@flatironinstitute.org
Cosmology + Astroparticle Physics:
Key areas of interest in cosmology and particle astrophysics at CCA are as follows:
• Large scale structure: Science enabled by current/upcoming large-scale structure surveys such as Euclid/Roman.
• Data analysis: Development of novel statistical, machine learning tools in cosmology data analysis and simulations.
• Particle astrophysics: Probing and charting out beyond-the-Standard-Model physics observable in current and future astronomical data sets.
• Contact Persons: Shirley Ho, shirleyho@flatironinstitute.org, and Ken Van Tilburg, kvantilburg@flatironinstitute.org
Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB):
• Analysis of data from CMB experiments such as ACT, SO and future S4
• Machine learning applied to cosmology and/or galaxy formation
• Numerical simulations for upcoming cosmological surveys
• Contact Persons: Simone Aiola, saiola@flatironinstitute.org and Francisco Villaescusa-Navarro, fvillaescusa@flatironinstitute.org
The Nearby Universe:
• The nature of dark matter: Using stellar streams and stellar chemo-dynamics to study the properties of dark matter within the Milky Way and Local Group.
• Dynamical disequilibrium: Studying the onset and impact of disequilibrium in the evolution of dynamical systems, and in developing and applying new methods that leverage non-phase-mixed structures to make fundamental measurements about the Milky Way with large stellar surveys (SDSS-V and Gaia).
• Numerical methods: Projects that connect to applied math and software development with possible connections to the Center for Computational Mathematics (CCM) and the Scientific Computing Core (SCC), such as accelerating and developing new tools for fast orbit and dynamical system integration.
• Contact Person: Adrian Price-Whelan: aprice-whelan@flatironinstitute.org
Galaxy Formation:
• Developing novel methods to address the multiscale problem in galaxy formation, such as star formation and the structure of the interstellar medium in the context of cosmological simulations, ram pressure stripping and mixing, and accretion onto and feedback from supermassive black holes.
• Enabling more detailed connections between models, simulations and observations, particularly from new and upcoming facilities such as JWST and the Vera Rubin Telescope and making connections between different modeling techniques and across sub-fields in astrophysics as represented in the different groups at CCA.
• Studying the physics of interstellar and intergalactic gas and plasmas and their role in galaxy evolution as a whole. This includes gas phase structure and turbulence, flows of gas and cosmic rays within and around galaxies, and the nature of the CGM around the MW and other galaxies.
• Contact Person: Rachel Somerville, rsomerville@flatironinstitute.org