Postdoctoral Scholar

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Job Title:

Postdoctoral Scholar

Department:

Arts and Sciences | Astronomy

The Postdoctoral Scholar will work with Professor Scott Gaudi in the Department of Astronomy at The Ohio State University on the development of the Living Worlds science goals for NASA's Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). Responsibilities will include collaborating with and supporting the activities of the HWO Community Science & Instrument Team (CSIT) and the HWO Technology Maturation Project Office (TMPO). The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute positively to the department's research environment and mentor junior researchers within both the immediate research group and the astronomy department.

Qualifications:

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Astronomy, Astrophysics, or a closely related field by the time of appointment. Candidates should have strong scientific programming skills in modern languages such as Python or C++. Experience in statistical analysis, machine learning, and data-driven modeling applied to large astronomical datasets and time-domain surveys is highly desirable. Expertise in one or more of the following areas is preferred: atmospheric characterization of Earth-like exoplanets using reflected-light spectroscopy; spectral retrieval techniques for directly imaged exoplanets; habitability and biosignatures of temperate terrestrial planets; and detection and characterization of exoplanets through astrometry.

Additional Information:

The Department of Astronomy, within the College of Arts and Sciences, seeks several Postdoctoral Scholars to join our team. The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest college and the academic heart of the university. The College hosts 81 majors. With 38 departments, 20+ world-class research centers, and more than 2,000 faculty and staff members, students have the unique opportunity to study with the best artists, scholars, and scientists in their field. The College values diversity and offers a supportive, open, and inclusive community.

The target hiring range is $65,000-$68,000. The actual salary will fall within this range based on internal equity, the candidate's qualifications and available funding. The position is for up to 3 years with an expected start date of Fall 2026. The position will be based on the OSU main campus in Columbus, Ohio, USA.

Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Applying before September 1, 2026 is strongly recommended.

Applications should include:

A cover letter which includes a motivation for applying for the position, and the names, institutions, and email addresses of at least three individuals who can provide recommendation letters upon request. A curriculum vitae. A list of research publications (either separately or as part of the CV). A brief description (3 pages maximum) of past and proposed future research.

We strongly prefer that these be provided as a single PDF document with the elements given in the order listed above.

Within the application system, we recommend that applicants:

Skip “Autofill with Resume” and choose “Apply Manually.” Answer only the required questions. Upload your documents under the “My Experience” section.

Inquiries regarding the position may be directed to Scott Gaudi (gaudi.1@osu.edu), but all application materials must be submitted through the application system. Applications sent directly will not be accepted.

Location:

McPherson Chemical Laboratory (0053)

Position Type:

Term (Fixed Term)

Scheduled Hours:

40

Shift:

First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

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