UC Observatories Assistant Project Scientist

Position overview
Position title: UC Observatories Assistant Project Scientist
Salary range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. The posted UCSC Salary Scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the scale titled, REPRESENTED PROJECT ___ (E.G., SCIENTIST) SERIES FISCAL YEAR. “Off-scale salaries”, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions. A reasonable estimate for this position is $71,500 - $82,900.
Percent time: Full-time (100%)
Anticipated start: As soon as possible after initial review of the applications.
Position duration: Initial appointment will be for two years, with the possibility of reappointment. Should the hiring unit propose reappointment; a review to assess performance will be conducted. Reappointment is also contingent upon the availability of funding.

Application Window

Open date: January 16, 2024

Next review date: Thursday, Feb 15, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Fast and Fortunate for FRB Follow-up (F4) Team at the University of California Observatories (UCO), University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), Northwestern University (NU) and the Maria Mitchell Observatory (MMO) invites applications for the position of an Assistant Project Scientist. Under the direction of Professor J. Xavier Prochaska, the successful candidate will be expected to conduct forefront research on topics related to fast radio bursts (FRBs). F4 performs follow-up observations in collaboration with a number of groups discovering FRBs (e.g. CRAFT at ASKAP, MeerTRAP at MeerKAT, CHIME). Along with other team members, the selected candidate will have access to the Keck and Lick Observatories, data from the DESI experiment, and a large computer cluster at UCSC. Observers with experience in optical spectroscopy and cosmology and/or are interested in FRB research – from the cosmic web to the origin of these enigmatic sources – are encouraged to apply. The position includes the opportunity to become involved in overseeing early-career collaboration members such as post-bac and graduate student researchers. Details on the F4 Program can be found at https://sites.google.com/ucolick.org/f-4/home .

This position will be based at University of California, Santa Cruz and will work closely with other NU and MMO researchers.

UC Observatories: https://www.ucobservatories.org/

Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Ph.D. (or equivalent foreign degree) in astronomy, physics, or a related field and three years’ research experience (while obtaining Ph.D. or post-degree) in the field observational extragalactic science.

Application Requirements
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., which must include a list of publications (include DOI links or url of PDFs) and three professional references along with their contact information. The search committee will contact the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration.

• Statement of Research - Two-page research statement that briefly summarizes your relevant experience and research plans.

Apply link: https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF01672

Help contact: [email protected]

About UC Santa Cruz

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees. Inquiries regarding the University’s equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 or by phone at (831) 459-2686.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check (see https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify ). The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz (see https://apo.ucsc.edu/policy/capm/102.530.html ).

UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at [email protected] (831) 459-4602.

UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website at https://www.hercjobs.org/regions/higher-ed-careers-northern-california/ to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.

The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance. For information about employee benefits please visit https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

VISIT UC Santa Cruz: https://www.ucsc.edu

Job location
Santa Cruz, California