The Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA) at Northwestern University invites applications for two postdoctoral associate positions in transient astronomy starting in Fall 2027. Appointments will be for a two-year term, with the possibility to extend for a third year. The opportunities are to work with:
- Prof. Charles Kilpatrick on resolved massive stars and supernova progenitors. The candidate will contribute to HST Treasury imaging of nearby galaxies, Roman surveys of stellar populations, JWST programs resolving massive stars in star-forming environments, and will collaborate with time-domain partners on Rubin/LSST overlap science and with international supernova collaborations.
- Profs. Tarraneh Eftekhari and Wen-fai Fong in support of the Fast and Fortunate for FRB Follow-up (F4) Team on studies of fast radio bursts, their host galaxies and multi-wavelength counterparts. The candidate will lead observations across the electromagnetic spectrum, including data reduction, analysis, and modeling, while engaging in international collaborations. F4 performs follow-up observations in partnership with major FRB discovery experiments and includes researchers at Northwestern, the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Cal Poly Humboldt, including Professors J. Xavier Prochaska and Regina Jorgenson.
Applicants with observational experience, pipeline development for NASA imaging, and/or other reduction and analysis techniques are encouraged to apply. Fong and Eftekhari are members of the F4, CRAFT and CHIME/FRB collaborations. Kilpatrick is a member of the Young Supernova Experiment (YSE) and the La Silla Southern Schmidt Survey (LS4). Successful candidates will have the opportunity to become part of these efforts.
As members of CIERA, successful applicants will benefit from interaction with a broad interdisciplinary group of researchers and will be immersed in a diverse and dynamic intellectual environment (https://ciera.northwestern.edu/programs/). Northwestern has institutional access to several mid- and large-scale optical/IR ground-based telescope facilities, including Keck, MMT, and Magellan. Postdoctoral researchers can apply for nights through CIERA’s internal time allocation process.
Please submit applications electronically (AJO Job ID 32643). Applications should include a cover letter (stating your interest in and relevant experience/skills for the position(s)), CV, statement of research accomplishments and plans (up to 5 pp), and arrange for at least three letters of recommendation to be uploaded to AJO. In your cover letter, please state that you are applying for a Time-Domain Astronomy Postdoctoral Associate position, and which of the positions (Kilpatrick, Fong/Eftekhari) you are interested in. All questions should be sent by email to CIERA-Jobs@northwestern.edu. Applications received by December 18, 2026, will receive full consideration. If you wish to apply for other CIERA positions, submit a separate application per position applied. Applicants must complete their Ph.D. requirements prior to appointment.
Benefits: At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at Benefits: Human Resources – Northwestern University to learn more.
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