Job Opportunities

The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics is home to a wide array of fundamental research projects and involved in many cutting edge facilities. We offer numerous prize fellowship opportunities for individuals to join our stimulating intellectual community to pursue independent research projects. In addition, the Department serves as a host institute of several postdoctoral fellowships supported by external funding sources. We encourage interested applicants to get in touch with our faculty.

Postdoctoral Fellowships in Astrophysics

The South Pole Telescope project invites applications for a postdoctoral position in the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics and the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics at the University of Chicago. The position will focus on analysis of cosmic microwave background (CMB) data from the SPT-3G camera. SPT-3G is the largest currently operating CMB camera, and data from the camera is being used to create the deepest wide-area CMB maps yet produced and to place unprecedentedly tight constraints on cosmological parameters. The successful candidate will take a leadership role in creating maps and other intermediate data products from raw SPT-3G data and participate in post-map analyses such as power spectrum estimation, CMB lensing potential reconstruction, and constraining cosmological parameters. The candidate will play a key role in analyzing the new SPT-3G Wide survey, which complements the ultra-deep Main 1500-square-degree survey and will result in major gains in cosmological constraints

The position will remain open until filled; however, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications by January 12, 2024, and ensure that 3 letters of recommendation are received by the same date. It is expected that the appointment will begin in Fall 2024 or earlier with a competitive salary and run for two years, with extension to a third year based on performance.

At the time of appointment, the successful applicant must have completed all requirements for a Ph.D. in Physics, Astronomy, or a related discipline.

To apply for the position, please send a CV (including publication list) and a statement of research interests to smanner@uchicago.edu by January 12, 2024, and arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent to the same address by the same date. Inquiries about the position may be addressed to John Carlstrom (jc@astro.uchicago.edu) and/or Tom Crawford (tcrawfor@kicp.uchicago.edu).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Contact information

The Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics at The University of Chicago invites applications for a postdoctoral position to collaborate with Professor Diana Powell on the characterization of exoplanet atmospheres; in particular, the interpretation of observations to be obtained with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The successful candidate will join teams composed of US and international collaborators, with a focus on interpreting and reporting results from a JWST GO program on morning/evening terminator spectroscopy. Resources include the Midway Computing Cluster and access to data from multiple JWST observational programs.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications by January 31, 2024, and ensure that 3 letters of recommendation are received by the same date. It is expected that the appointment will begin in Fall 2024 (negotiable) with a competitive salary and run for approximately two years, with extension to a third year based on performance.

At the time of appointment, the successful applicant must have completed all requirements for a Ph.D. in Physics/Astronomy or related disciplines. Candidates with experience in exoplanet atmosphere theory and/or numerical modeling are preferred, but consideration will also be given to candidates with background and interest in theory or observations of Exoplanet Atmospheres.

Please contact Professor Powell at diana.powell@uchicago.edu if you have any questions.

Please have: a cover letter, a CV including publication list; a statement of research interests (up to 4 pages); and three letters of recommendation uploaded to Academic Jobs Online by January 31, 2024: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/26886

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

The Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics at The University of Chicago invites applications for a postdoctoral position to collaborate with Professor Diana Powell. The Powell exoplanet theory group explores the formation and characterization of exoplanetary systems, with a focus on characterizing protoplanetary disks and exoplanet atmospheres, by creating first-principle physical models to interpret novel observations. The successful applicant will lead and participate in theoretical and/or observational projects in line with this mission. They will work with Professor Powell to develop new programs, support existing ones, and mentor graduate and undergraduate students.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications by January 31, 2024, and ensure that 3 letters of recommendation are received by the same date. It is expected that the appointment will begin in Fall 2024 (negotiable) with a competitive salary and run for approximately two years, with extension to a third year based on performance.

At the time of appointment, the successful applicant must have completed all requirements for a Ph.D. in Physics/Astronomy or related disciplines. Candidates with experience in protoplanetary disk theory and/or numerical modeling are preferred, but consideration will also be given to candidates with background and interest in theory or observations of Protoplanetary Disks and/or Exoplanet Atmospheres.

Please contact Professor Powell at diana.powell@uchicago.edu if you have any questions.

Please have: a cover letter, a CV including publication list; a statement of research interests (up to 4 pages); and three letters of recommendation uploaded to Academic Jobs Online by January 31, 2024: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/26883

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Chicago invites applications for a postdoctoral scholar position in cosmic microwave background (CMB) science. Position responsibilities will include developing pipeline tools for both modeling and mitigating systemic effects on the Simons Observatory, publishing scientific papers, and presenting work at scientific conferences, workshops, and reviews.

The appointment is made at 100 percent time for a period of one calendar year, and may be extended on a year-to-year basis for up to an additional two years. Reappointment is contingent upon various factors including, but not limited to, satisfactory performance, work authorization, availability of funding, and programmatic need. The position comes with a competitive salary and excellent benefits.

Qualifications and Essential Job Functions

• Ph.D. in Physics, Astrophysics, or relevant subject.

• Demonstrated ability to carry out independent research.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills including presentations to large international scientific collaborations, outreach, and/or conferences.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit the following materials to Academic Jobs Online: 1) a Cover letter, 2) a Curriculum Vitae, 3) List of Publications, 4) a Research Statement, 5) a Statement of Contributions to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and 6) Three Reference Letters (to be submitted by the reference writers at the AJO site).

All application materials should be submitted by November 15 for full consideration, but applications will be accepted until the post is filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.

The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics in the Physical Sciences Division at the University of Chicago invites applications for the position of Senior Instructional Professor (open rank). This is a nine-month, non-tenure track appointment for an initial term of up to five years with the possibility for promotion. Appointment is expected to begin on September 1, 2024.

Position duties will include:

●      Serving as the Co-Director of Undergraduate Studies, responsible for providing pedagogical oversight of the department’s undergraduate programs (general education, major and minor). 

●      Serving as academic advisor in the Astrophysics Major program.

●      Facilitating research placements of Astrophysics Majors and monitor research progress.

●      Supervising instructional personnel.

●      Teaching up to 4 courses per year.

●      Maintaining expertise necessary to inform and improve programs and pedagogies through professional development.

●      Participate in faculty meetings and relevant departmental- and university-wide committees.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

Completion of all requirements for the Ph.D. in Astrophysics or closely related field at the time of appointment. 

At least two years of teaching experience at the university level as an instructor of record.  

Preferred qualifications:

Professional experience in an academic setting and strong organizational skills.

Experience in management of academic programs, personnel, and/or budgets.

Application Instructions

Required materials are:

●      Cover letter;

●      Curriculum vitae;

●      Evidence of successful management of programs or evidence of potential to do so;

●      Evidence of teaching effectiveness (such as, but not limited to, course evaluations or other relevant assessments);

●      Teaching statement;

●      Syllabi of courses taught;

●      Two letters of recommendation.

Applicants must apply online through the University of Chicago academic careers website using this link: apply.interfolio.com/135685. Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2023, and continue until the position is filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.

The Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics at The University of Chicago invites applications for a postdoctoral position to collaborate with Professor Damiano Caprioli on diverse aspects of theoretical and computational High-Energy Astrophysics, in particular the origin of cosmic rays and the multi-messenger non-thermal emission from astrophysical objects such as pulsars, supernova remnants, AGNs, GRBs, and galaxy clusters.

The position will remain open until filled; however applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications by January 29, 2024, and ensure that 3 letters of recommendation are received by the same date. It is expected that the appointment will begin in Fall 2024 (negotiable) with a competitive salary and run for approximately two years, with extension to a third year based on performance.

At the time of appointment, the successful applicant must have completed all requirements for a Ph.D. in Physics/Astronomy or related disciplines. Candidates with experience in kinetic simulations of astro/space/laboratory plasmas are preferred, but consideration will also be given to candidates with background and interest in theoretical/computational High-Energy Astrophysics and Space Physics.

Please have: a CV including publication list; a statement of research interests; and three letters of recommendation sent to caprioli@uchicago.edu by January 29, 2024.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Contact information

caprioli@uchicago.edu