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

Application Deadline: 14 May 2025

Department: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Cambridge, MA

Compensation: $83,742 - $108,859 / year

Description

OPENING DATE: April 14, 2025
CLOSING DATE: May 14, 2025
SERIES/GRADE: 1330/11
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust (Non-Federal) Temporary, Not to Exceed 2 years, with the possibility of extension for an additional year based on funding.
DIVISION: High Energy Astrophysics Division
LOCATION: Cambridge, MA
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to U.S. persons (citizens, permanent residents, or nationals of a country eligible to be approved for an export license).  
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
The position serves to train postdoctoral researchers to conceive, plan and conduct highly specialized research in astrophysics. The incumbent will be expected to perform scholarly research, instrumentation in the lab, on sounding rockets, and on satellite payloads, plus participate in making contributions to the physical fields of science.

MAJOR DUTIES

1. Conduct a program of research and scholarship in solar physics focusing on energy transfer in solar eruptions under the supervision and direction of the supervisor.2.  Participate in the development of new designs for space-borne, airborne or ground-based hardware.3. Conduct laboratory experiments, simulations and studies to evaluate the design, performance, and calibration of solar or astrophysical instruments being built at the Observatory.4.  Formulate and conduct independent research on the Sun, heliophysics, planetary science, or astrophysics using both archival and proprietary data from space- and ground-based observations. 5. Contribute to papers presenting research results for publication in scientific journals and presentation at conferences. Participate in scientific meetings and conferences to discuss current research with other scientists. 6. Assists in the development of software and procedures of the reduction, analysis and interpretation of data as needed; or assists in the development of analytic