Research Associate in Astronomy
- Employer
- University of Virginia
- Location
- Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
View more categoriesView less categories
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
The University of Virginia (UVA) invites applications for multiple Postdoctoral Research Associate positions supported by several initiatives in the Department of Astronomy: the Galaxy Evolution and COsmology Initiative (GECO), the Virginia Institute for Theoretical Astronomy (VITA) and the Virginia Initiative on Cosmic Origins (VICO).
Research Initiatives
GECO research focuses broadly on galaxy evolution and cosmology. Relevant themes include, but are not limited to, resolved stellar populations, explosive nucleosynthesis in supernovae and transients, cosmic black hole evolution, near field cosmology, probing the dark universe through the large-scale structures and the cosmic microwave background, and galaxy formation and evolution, from both theoretical and observational perspectives. See https://astronomy.as.virginia.edu/galaxy-evolution-and-cosmology-initiative-geco for more information.
VITA research centers on theoretical and computational astrophysics. Candidates working on topics related to exoplanet and/or stellar astrophysics, including modelling of planetary and brown dwarf atmospheres, cloud formation, orbital dynamics and post-main sequence evolution, and stellar and binary interactions and explosions are particularly encouraged to apply. We also welcome strong applications across the wider range of VITA science, including astrochemistry, protoplanetary disks, star formation and evolution, high energy astrophysics, accretion disks, galaxy formation and evolution. See https://astronomy.as.virginia.edu/virginia-institute-theoretical-astronomy for more information.
VICO research focuses on programs in Cosmic Origins science. Relevant themes include planet formation and evolution, planetary science, exoplanetary science, astrochemistry, astrobiology, and star formation, from both theoretical and observational perspectives. See https://www.cosmicorigins.space/vico for more information.
Resources
Postdoctoral Research Associates will have access to the Astronomy Department's telescope resources, including the 2 x 8.4m Large Binocular Telescope, the 6.5m MMT, the 2 x 6.5m Magellan telescopes, and the Astrophysical Research Consortium telescopes at Apache Point Observatory, as well as UVA's high-performance research computing facilities. The Department is a partner in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, the LSST Discovery Alliance, Simons Observatory and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument. UVA astronomy faculty have strong research ties to the scientific staff at NRAO, which is located on the grounds of the University, and Research Associates will be part of a vibrant community of scientists drawn from both institutions.
Research Associates will participate in departmental activities, mentor students, and promote wider collaboration. UVA is home to an active postdoctoral community, with further opportunities for networking and professional development through the PhDPlus Program and the UVA Postdoctoral Association.
All positions are based in Charlottesville and begin as one-year appointments, renewable for two further one-year increments, contingent on satisfactory performance and the availability of funding. A competitive salary and benefits package is offered, along with a research budget to support equipment purchases, travel, networking, and collaboration.
For more information on the benefits available to postdoctoral research associates at UVA, visit https://postdoc.virginia.edu and https://hr.virginia.edu/benefits.
Qualification requirements
Applicants are required to hold a Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics, physics, or a related discipline by the appointment start date.
Application Details
Apply online at https://jobs.virginia.edu/us and search for R0088721. Attach a single compiled PDF containing:
- a cover letter, clearly stating which of GECO, VITA, VICO you wish to be considered for. You may list as many initiatives as are relevant to your research;
- a curriculum vitae;
- a list of publications;
- a 1-page summary of previous research, it is acceptable to append figures to a second page if lacking space;
- a research proposal, limited to 3 pages including references and figures.
Applicants should also arrange for 3 letters of recommendation to be submitted to https://virginia.app.box.com/f/0712708a7d854213a704b2dc985d8c3c using the file name format CandidateLastName_ReferenceLastName.pdf.
Application deadline
Review of applications will begin on 1 December 2026; however, the positions will remain open until filled. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.
The anticipated salary range is $68,000 - $70,000.
Inquiries
Questions about the individual programs may be directed to:
GECO: Nitya Kallivayalil (njk3r@virginia.edu)
VITA: Shazrene Mohamed (shazrene@virginia.edu), Phil Arras (arras@virginia.edu)
VICO: Yifan Zhou (uyr2ce@virginia.edu)
For questions about the application process, please contact Richard Haverstrom, Academic Recruiter, at rkh6j@virginia.edu.
Additional information about the UVA Astronomy Department can be found at https://astronomy.as.virginia.edu/
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.
Organization
In 1819, the University of Virginia established a new model for intellectual exchange and cross-disciplinary collaboration in higher education. Two hundred years later, as a major research institution, we continue to challenge conventions, lead with ingenuity and advance knowledge for the common good.
What began as an innovative idea has become one of the nation’s leading public research universities, with over 21,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UVA also has over 3,000 full-time faculty offering more than 400 degrees.
Each of the University’s eleven schools has its own distinctive mission, working together to garner consistently high rankings—including #2 Best Value Public College (Princeton Review, 2016), #3 Public University in the Nation (U.S. News & World Report, 2016), and #3 Best Value Among Public Colleges (Kiplinger’s, 2016).
As we invest in and strengthen our research capabilities, UVA seeks new faculty ready to uncover new insights, rewrite old rules and collaborate on intellectual discoveries.
RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS THAT CROSS DISCIPLINES
As an R1 institution, the University’s research centers, consortia and laboratories are on the leading edge of discovery and technology, offering collaborative spaces for students and faculty to solve global problems.
Our professors are recognized members of major national scholarly and professional organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Our faculty’s engagement in interdisciplinary research is being facilitated by new research institutes specializing in everything from big data to brain functioning, and by cluster hires across schools.
NATIONALLY RANKED HEALTH SYSTEM
UVA is also home to a nationally renowned academic medical center and the UVA Health System, which serves a three-part mission to treat patients, conduct translational research and train medical practitioners in a wide variety of disciplines.
Established as the nation’s 10th medical school in 1825, the institution has since grown to include a 612-bed hospital and a Level I trauma center, nationally recognized cancer and heart centers, a Children’s Hospital, and primary and specialty clinics throughout Central Virginia.
The UVA Medical Center is consistently ranked among the nation’s best hospitals by the U.S. News & World Report magazine and has been named among the top 25 percent in seven specialties.
INSPIRING STUDENTS, INSPIRED TEACHING
The vast majority of UVA students come from the top 10% of their high school class, as well as from all 50 states, over 142 countries and a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. Despite their diversity, all UVA students share a love of learning and a drive to achieve.
One of the reasons students choose Virginia is our unique residential culture. At UVA, the community of students, faculty and staff personifies the Jeffersonian idea that living and learning are connected. The Academical Village was constructed to support a unique residential experience, with faculty living in the Pavilions, students occupying Lawn rooms and the world-famous Rotunda at its heart. The University’s residential culture continues to support this experience today—strengthened by students, faculty and staff rich in backgrounds, ideas and perspectives. Our unique culture is also paying dividends in innovation: UVA’s faculty have generated more than 130 patents since 2010.
Perhaps most importantly, faculty come to UVA knowing that instruction is as important as research, and they pride themselves on their many teaching awards. Our best professors look for ways to encourage, mentor and develop tomorrow’s leaders inside and outside the classroom.
LIFE IN CHARLOTTESVILLE
Living in Charlottesville you’ll find sophisticated restaurants, world-renowned wineries and breweries, cosmopolitan arts and music, friendly urban and suburban neighborhoods and a Piedmont landscape that has lured adventurous souls for centuries. No wonder the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research named Charlottesville the “happiest city in America” in 2014.
In addition to UVA and its health system, several major employers have facilities in Charlottesville, including State Farm, Northrop Grumman, the U.S. Department of Defense, GE and others. Charlottesville is also becoming a center for innovative start-up businesses. The University also actively helps spouses and partners of faculty members build their networks and pursue employment opportunities with a wide variety of area employers.
The University of Virginia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
- Telephone
- 434-985-4532
- Location
-
2420 Old Ivy
Charlottesvle
Virginia
22911-7433
United States
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