Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Physics, cosmology and observational, astrophysics (3 positions)

The Department of Physics at the University of Cincinnati invites applications for three postdoctoral research positions in cosmology and observational astrophysics to work with Professor Jessica Muir, Professor Jahmour Givans, and Professor Matthew Bayliss. 

One successful cosmology candidate will work with Professor Jessica Muir, who is joining the department in January 2025. Prof. Muir’s group will focus on research in cosmology theory, computation, and data analysis, with a particular interest in preparing for and using data from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), as well as combining data from multiple cosmological probes to test the standard cosmological model. The postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to work as part of the LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration (DESC) as well as the Dark Energy Survey (DES).

The other successful applicant will join the research group of Professor Jahmour Givans, who will join the department in August 2025. Prof. Givans’ research group employs theory, simulations, and data analysis to better model cosmological systems and test the validity of the Lambda-cold dark matter paradigm. The postdoctoral fellow will have flexibility to pursue any research program related to the above goal, and will have the opportunity to carry out work relevant to the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, the LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration, and Simons Observatory.

The successful observational astrophysics candidate will work with Professor Matthew Bayliss. Prof. Bayliss' group works on a wide range of topics related to gravitational lensing by massive galaxy groups and clusters. For this postdoctoral position we expect the selected candidate to work on multi-wavelength studies of the interstellar medium, stellar populations, and the production and escape of ionizing photons in distant, highly magnified galaxies. The postdoctoral fellow will work as a core member of the Sloan Giant Arcs Survey (SGAS) and LEnsing and Galaxy Growth: Observing Substructures (LEGGOS) collaborations. The postdoctoral fellow will have opportunities to develop new projects in collaboration with Prof. Bayliss, including projects using available data from the James Webb Space Telescope, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the Chandra X-ray Observatory.

All three postdoctoral fellows will also be supported and encouraged to submit their own proposals for new projects and will have opportunities to supervise graduate and undergraduate students, if interested. These positions include funds for professional travel, publications and computing and offer a competitive salary with health benefits. The ideal start date for these positions is August 2025 or earlier. These positions are three-year appointments with the third year contingent on mutual agreement by the candidate and employer.  

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation’s best urban public research universities. Home to 53,235 students, more than 11,000 faculty and staff and 350,000+ living alumni, UC combines a Top 35 public research university with a physical setting The New York Times calls “the most ambitious campus design program in the country.” Cincinnati is a growing, lively, walkable, and affordable city. It is also home to Cincinnati Observatory, the first public observatory in the United States, as well as a flourishing arts, music, and festival scene, and dozens of museums. UC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, who works to bring out the best in our students, faculty and staff to collaborate, create, innovate and compete in a global society.   We are seeking individuals who want to be a part of a dynamic team.  

Minimum Requirements

Prior to the effective date of appointment, the candidate must have satisfied all requirements, as outlined by their graduate institution, for a Ph.D. in physics, astronomy, astrophysics, or a closely related field. 

Application Process

Candidates must submit a separate application for each of the three positions for which they wish to be considered. We strongly encourage candidates to apply for all of the positions that are relevant to them. Applications must be submitted via the University of Cincinnati portal and can be found at the following links:

• Muir group: https://jobs.uc.edu/job/Cincinnati-Postdoctoral-Fellow%2C-Cosmology%2C-College-of-Arts-and-Sciences-OH-45201/1214602800/ 
  Givans group: https://jobs.uc.edu/job/Cincinnati-Postdoctoral-Fellow%2C-Cosmology%2C-College-of-Arts-and-Sciences-OH-45201/1214605200/ 
  Bayliss group: https://jobs.uc.edu/job/Cincinnati-Postdoctoral-Fellow%2C-Observational-Astrophysics%2C-College-of-Arts-and-Sciences-OH-45201/1214603700/ 

As part of the online application, you are required to submit:

•  Cover letter

•  CV

•  A statement of research goals/interests (no more than 3 pages)

•  Contact information for at least three references.

Review of applications will begin on January 6, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. If you have  questions about the position, please contact Matthew Bayliss by email at [matthew.bayliss@uc.edu] , Jessica Muir at [jmuir@perimeterinstitute.ca], or Jahmour Givans at [jgivans@flatironinstitute.org].