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Project Scientist - Modeling of Astrophysical X-ray Spectra – Space Sciences Laboratory

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Position description

Project Scientist – Modeling of Astrophysical X-ray Spectra – Space Sciences Laboratory

The Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applications for a part-time (25%) Associate or Full Project Scientist, with an expected start date in April 2019, May 2019, or June 2019.

About The Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) at the University of California, Berkeley: Built six decades ago, UC Berkeley’s Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) was the realization of NASA’s vision to gather many of the most innovative and dedicated science minds in one place at Berkeley. In the hill above Berkeley, physicists, researchers, biologists, engineers and technicians worked in unison: interacting, learning from one another, leading, challenging and inspiring one another in creating cutting-edge space science instrumentation and conducting top research. Through sixty years of NASA-funded support, their efforts, and those of hundreds of dedicated students and staff, have brought about myriad highlights, such as the space science missions of S3-3, ISEE, Polar, Van Allen Probes, Cluster, IMAGE, THEMIS and MAVEN. All have contributed to new discoveries about the physics of space, and initiated marked new advances in engineering technology. http://ssl.berkeley.edu/

Position Description:
The laboratory x-ray astrophysics group at the Space Sciences Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated individual to model the X-ray emission of astrophysical objects observed with high-resolution space-based observatories and the X-ray emission of supporting laboratory observations. The project goal is to improve the completeness and accuracy of spectral databases for analyzing space-based missions. The Berkeley team is part of a greater collaboration, which includes researchers at the Goddard Space Flight Center, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Columbia University. The successful candidate will have access to state-of-the-art laboratory X-ray data generated on demand at the Livermore electron beam ion trap as well as to observational data from current and past X-ray satellite missions. The project goal includes optimizing standard atomic physics codes used in astrophysical models, in particular the Flexible Atomic Code, so that highly complex atomic ions, such as Fe IX or Fe XII, can be calculated accurately. This means preparing codes to run on computers with parallel architectures and to program new approaches. The successful candidate will take part of the team’s effort to respond to funding opportunities and will document results in peer-reviewed physics and astrophysics journals.

Project Scientist will:

• Generate X-ray models in support of laboratory X-ray spectroscopy and spaced-based observations.
• Develop and add new subroutines to the Flexible Atomic Code in order to extend its performance.
• Parallelize existing atomic codes to handle highly complex ions.
• Document research results in the scientific literature.

Basic Qualifications:
PhD or equivalent international degree required at the time of application.

Additional Qualifications:
• Minimum of six years of post PhD experience required by the start date.

Preferred Qualifications:
• PhD in Atomic Physics, X-ray Astronomy, or a closely related field.
• Record of research publications post PhD degree.
• Prior experience applying for grants or contracts to support new projects as part of a project team.
• Familiarity with spaced-based astrophysics missions, guest observers programs, and NASA’s Astrophysics Research and Analysis program.
• Experience in generating spectral models with state-of-the-art atomic physics codes, including the Flexible Atomic Code and many-body perturbation calculations, and their application to observed or measured X-ray spectra.

Starting salary will commensurate with experience.

Initial appointment will be for one (1) year, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funding.

To apply, please visit: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/apply/JPF02121

Position will remain open until filled.

Please address inquires to Dr. Peter Beiersdorfer at beiersdorfer@ssl.berkeley.edu

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. including list of publications

  • Cover Letter (Optional)

  • Statement of Research

Job location

Berkeley, CA