Assistant Research Professor, Steward Observatory

The Department of Astronomy/Steward Observatory seeks a Career Track Assistant Research Professor position to support projects within the Center for Astronomical Adaptive Optics (CAAO). The faculty member will bridge the gap between science and engineering, working closely with astronomers and engineers to commission world-class general purpose and high-contrast imaging instruments and observatories. Projects include support of NASA and university funded research into future space telescopes for general astrophysics and high-contrast imaging, collaborating with the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab (RFCML) in researching and developing space telescope concepts and the UA Space Astrophysics Lab's Space Coronagraph Optical Bench (SCoOB), researching high-contrast technology readiness through simulation, prototyping and test.

The SCoOB testbed and associated open-source software tools are studying how to effectively suppress starlight for the NASA Habitable Worlds Observatory and other future space telescopes. The RFCML team develops methods to polish, measure and control high honeycomb mirrors with deeply curved, parabolic surfaces and is currently casting and polishing the mirrors for the Giant Magellan Telescope project. Recently selected to build the Aspera CubeSat and home to the JWST NIRCam team, Steward Observatory provides direct access to various world-class facilities for ground-based radio and optical observing. Among these are the Large Binocular Telescope and 6.5m aperture telescopes in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Applicants are expected to collaborate across Steward Observatory and the University of Arizona community and will be eligible to serve as principal investigator of independent research programs.

Other facilities include: the new University-wide Research Data Center provides access to high-end, local supercomputing resources and the recently completed Space Institute, Applied Research Building which includes a range of assembly and environmental test facilities.

This career-track appointment is not eligible for tenure.

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• Research, simulate, test, document, and publish novel high-contrast imaging algorithms and approaches
• Develop observatory requirements and architectures for high-contrast imaging of exoplanets with future space telescope
• Mentor graduate students and assist in research group operations
• Independent research

Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities:

• Proven ability to collaborate across disciplines

• PhD in astronomy, physics, aerospace engineering, optical sciences or closely related field
• 5 or more years of experience in instrumentation and simulations for high-contrast imaging
• 5 or more years of experience developing and working with adaptive optics systems
• Experience in wavefront sensing and control
• Federal regulations require that the incumbent be a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or have another protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) to be ITAR/EAR compliant.

• Experience in optical alignment of testbeds and instruments
• Experience in focal-plane wavefront sensing for dark zone maintenance
• Experience managing design priorities across teams
• Experience in space instrumentation
• Experience mentoring students and postdoctoral researchers