Postdoctoral Research Fellow at South African Astronomical Observatory

About the position

The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) and the Astronomy Department of the University of Cape Town (UCT) invite applications for a 3-year joint postdoctoral position related to the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), with a strong focus on cataclysmic variables, compact binaries or related objects.

We seek an outstanding individual to join the research group led by Professor David Buckley, who is a South African LSST Principal Investigator involved in optical transient follow-up. The candidate should have observational experience, ideally associated with discoveries or follow-up studies from survey data of the above mentioned target objects.
Opportunities for involvement in student supervision, teaching and outreach, are also possible, if desired.

Key Responsibilities:

• The appointee will become a Junior Affiliate on the South African Rubin Observatory LSST transient program, involving preparatory work ahead of the main survey, due to start in 2024, including utilizing various LSST software tools.
• There will be ample opportunities to lead research programs using the range of SAAO optical/IR facilities, including the 10-m SALT, and to collaborate on the various transient and survey follow-up projects, potentially involving other multi-wavelength facilities (e.g. MeerKAT).

Key Requirements:

Qualification:

• A PhD in astronomy with expertise in accreting compact binaries
• A good publication record, commensurate with career stage

Experience:

• The candidate should have observational experience, ideally associated with discoveries or follow-up studies from survey data of the above mentioned target objects

Knowledge:

• Python coding and/or related software development experience

Desirable Experience:

• Some familiarity or interest in software associated with the Rubin Observatory (e.g. Operations Simulators, Metrics Analysis Framework)
• Experience with polarimetric observations and interpretation would also be an advantage

APPLICATIONS:
The position will be filled once a viable candidate is identified and the appointment should be taken up before 31 March 2022. The salary package is competitive and funding support will be provided for computing resources and travel.

Applicants should apply on [URL Removed] attaching a cover letter, including a statement outlining their research and broader interests and experience (no more than 3 pages), their CV plus the contact details of 2 potential references by no later than 09 December 2021.

More information concerning the SAAO and UCT may be found at [URL Removed] and [URL Removed]
Informal enquiries may be directed to Professor David Buckley ([Email Address Removed])

Desired Skills:

• Python
• Software Development

Desired Qualification Level:

• Doctorate

About The Employer:

The National Research Foundation (NRF) supports and promotes research and human capital development through funding, the provision of National Research Facilities and science outreach platforms and programmes to the broader community in all fields of science and technology, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities.

The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) is the National Facility for Optical and Infrared Astronomy of the National Research Foundation (NRF). Its headquarters are in Cape Town, while its telescopes are at Sutherland in the Northern Cape. Distributed between the two sites, SAAO employs roughly 130 people, many of them scientists and engineers, and is contracted to operate SALT (the Southern African Large Telescope) on behalf of the international SALT Foundation. SAAO is the premier optical/infrared research facility on the African continent, with global research and outreach collaborations, and contributing to human capital development for South Africa.