Postdoctoral Research Associate I - Space Instrumentation

Postdoctoral Research Associate I - Space Instrumentation Posting Number req23547 Department Steward Observatory Department Website Link Location Main Campus Address Tucson, AZ USA Position Highlights The University of Arizona (UA) Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory (SO) are excited to invite applications for multiple Postdoctoral Research Associates interested in research related to instrumentation and techniques for ground and space-based wavefront control and high-contrast imaging. Candidates with a range of experience outside of astronomy are encouraged to apply.

As a Postdoctoral Research Associate, you will have the opportunity to work closely with several faculty members: Jared Males, Ewan Douglas, Patrick Ingraham, and others within the Center for Astronomical Adaptive Optics (CAAO). You will be encouraged to integrate into the UArizona Space Astrophysics Lab, eXtreme Wavefront Control Lab, and CAAO to support an equitable scholarly environment in research, mentoring, and service. Your work will focus on problems in controls, machine learning, image reconstruction, wavefront sensing, and instrument development and test.

As time permits, you will be encouraged to conduct your own independent research, and will be able to apply for time on any Steward facility directly as a PI, as well as collaborate with SO faculty and scholars in the Department of Astronomy.

UA/SO offers a world-class research environment in space science and astrophysics with strong interdisciplinary programs across the Departments of Astronomy, Physics, Optical Sciences, and Planetary Sciences. We provide direct access to various world-class observational and computational facilities for ground-based radio and optical observing.

Start dates range from August 2025 to August 2026.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and lead an independent research agenda centered on adaptive optics, wavefront control, space instrumentation, and exoplanet direct imaging, disseminate work through publications and presentations; contribute to public-engagement opportunities.
• Develop and implement research initiatives, collaborations, publications, and/or events (e.g., talks, workshops, visitor programs, etc.) as needed and relevant to research agendas.
• Collaborate with faculty and scholars in support of an inclusive academic environment (including organizing collaborative meetings, supervising/mentoring graduate and undergraduate students).
• Additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have completed all the requirements for a PhD. in physical science, mathematics/ data science, or engineering at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in space mission and hardware, systems engineering, testing, and operations
• Experience developing CubeSats or SmallSats or sub-orbital missions or payloads
• Experience building, operating, or testing astronomical instruments or telescopes on the ground or in space
• Experience contributing to open-source software or hardware projects
• Experience with technical communication

FLSA Exempt Full Time/Part Time Full Time Number of Hours Worked per Week 40 Job FTE 1 Work Calendar Fiscal Job Category Research Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits Rate of Pay NIH salary guidelines, Depends on Experience Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE) Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive) Number of Vacancies 2 Target Hire Date 9/8/2025 Expected End Date Contact Information for Candidates Carli Chmara
... Open Date 7/31/2025 Open Until Filled Yes Documents Needed to Apply Curriculum Vitae (CV), Cover Letter, and Two Additional Documents Special Instructions to Applicant Along with your application, CV and cover letter, please provide the following additional documents:

• Additional Document 1: 2-page Statement of Research Experience and Interest.
• Additional Document 2: Names and email addresses of three references.

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