Post Doctoral Fellow - Tremblay & Taylor

We invite applications for a postdoctoral fellowship to work on commensal observing science using the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, to begin in October 2025. The Department of Physics and Astronomy is located within a new (Fall 2019), state-of-the-art research facility, the Physics and Astronomy and Interdisciplinary Science (PAIS) building.

Job Description

The postdoctoral researcher will work with Dr. Greg Taylor and Dr. Chenoa Tremblay and will play a key role in using and assisting in upgrades related to the VLA commensal project, the Commensal Open-Source Multimode Interferometer Cluster (COSMIC), which enables one of the most comprehensive Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) programs to-date through ethernet-based digital architecture. However, COSMIC is capable of completing a host of other scientific objectives as well. The fellow will leverage COSMIC's experienced team to further commission COSMIC for additional scientific endeavors by working closely with a diverse team of researchers at the SETI Institute and University of New Mexico as well as assisting to increase the scientific capabilities by collaborating with our partners including the Oxford University, Breakthrough Initiatives, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO). The fellow will have access to science ready data products from COSMIC and flexibility to design new processing pipelines to feed into the real-time system. Time will be available for independent research, preferably in the areas of SETI, astrobiology, radio transient, radio frequency interference, or ionospheric science. The fellow has the unique opportunity to become an expert user of the VLA, have access to the Long Wavelength Array, and will have opportunities to use the Allen Telescope array which can be of great benefit to their own research.

Responsibilities will include the following:

• * Science extension for the COSMIC commensal observing system on the VLA through software building
• * Assisting the Project Scientist with hardware upgrades and repairs at the VLA site
• * Collaboration with a diverse team of researchers at the University of New Mexico, SETI Institute and work closely with COSMIC partners including the Berkeley SETI Research Center (BSRC), Oxford University, Breakthrough Listen, and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)

Research funds will be provided for publications and travel to conferences and workshops. In addition, the postdoctoral researcher will be given opportunities for research collaboration at the SETI Institute, NRAO, and/or NRL. For best consideration, applications should be received by August 31, 2025.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in astronomy, astrophysics, computing science or a related field at the time of hire

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Strong software development skills are a key asset

2. Familiarity with the VLA, and familiarity with scientific computing/observatory software/radio astronomy technology

3. Knowledge of radio observatory science operations

4. Work effectively both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary research team

5. A demonstrated commitment to cultivate an understanding of the rich and varied cultures of New Mexico and to the success of the University's mission to serve local and global communities

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The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.