Jobs and Careers

Post-Baccalaureate Researcher

United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 21 Jul 2026

💰 $46,000/yr($36,000/yr – $46,000/yr)

About the role

At Wellesley, our mission is to deliver an outstanding liberal arts education to women who will make a difference in the world. Our collaborative community, comprising of faculty, students, staff, and alumnae, is guided by our shared commitment to educational excellence. Join us in this transformative journey!

Application Instructions:

When submitting your application, please adhere to the following requirements:

Carefully review all job details prior to applying.
Enter your legal name exactly as it appears on your government-issued identification.
Upload a comprehensive résumé/CV and cover letter in either PDF (.pdf) or Word (.doc) format.

Current Wellesley College employees must submit applications through the internal Workday portal by searching “browse jobs.”

Job Posting Title

Post-Baccalaureate Researcher

Job Description Summary

Academic Administrative Non-Exempt

Job Description

The researcher will be learning to process and analyze spectroscopic dataset on the job. This will require them to code in Python, do literature review, prepare weekly group meeting presentations, help Prof. Mowla with the research group related activities such as setting the agenda of weekly group meetings, attend and present updates at weekly collaboration meetings, and help with the writing of the paper.

Primary Position Responsibilities:

Reduce, process, and analyze JWST NIRSpec/IFU spectroscopic data for the Firefly Sparkle project using Python, including spectral extraction, calibration, and emission-line analysis of the lensed star clusters and host galaxy.
Develop, document, and test Python analysis code (e.g. spectral fitting, SED modeling, photometric comparison) and maintain reproducible analysis notebooks for the research group.
Conduct literature review and prepare weekly research-group presentations; attend and present updates at weekly collaboration meetings.
Contribute to the preparation and writing of scientific publications and figures arising from the project.
Help coordinate research-group activities, including setting the agenda for weekly group meetings and supporting other group-related tasks for Prof. Mowla.

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelors in Arts in Physics/Astronomy
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer’s sponsorship now or in the future

Skills and Abilities:

Proficiency in scientific programming with Python (including standard astronomy/data libraries such as NumPy, Astropy, and Matplotlib).
Foundational knowledge of astronomy/astrophysics and a strong interest in observational data analysis; ability to read and synthesize scientific literature.
Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare and deliver presentations at group and collaboration meetings.
Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a research team.

Schedule:

This is a full-time, one-year, fixed-term position. Standard working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, totaling 35 hours per week.

Salary:

The pay range for this role is $18.00 - $23.00 an hour

Company Description

Wellesley’s mission is to provide an excellent liberal arts education to women who will make a difference in the world. We advance our mission by working together as a community—faculty, students, staff, and alumnae.

Embark on a fulfilling career journey at Wellesley College, where we prioritize your well-being and professional growth. As a valued member of our team, you'll enjoy a comprehensive array of benefits and resources designed to enhance both your work-life balance and long-term success.

Competitive Compensation: Experience competitive wages ensuring your dedication is recognized and rewarded.
Exceptional Benefits Package: Access a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision and p