Flatiron Research Fellow, Center for Computational Astrophysics

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, HIRAX, LIGO, 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, LIGO, and Gaia, 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 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Applicants are required to have or receive before their appointment a PhD in a related field.

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.

REQUIRED 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 via Interfolio prior to the application due date (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 otherwise) 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.