SETI INSTITUTE JOB DESCRIPTION Position Title: Postdoctoral Fellow, Observing Science Using the VLA FLSA Status: Exempt, Full Time Location: Socorro, NM Duration: 1 year, with a possible extension to 3 years Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Position Description: The SETI Institute invites applications for a postdoctoral fellow on commensal observing science using the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA). The position will be located in Socorro, NM, the home of the Domenici Science Operations Center (DSOC), which houses the scientific, engineering, technical, computer and support staff for the VLA.

The postdoctoral fellow will play key roles in two exciting VLA commensal projects, the Commensal Open-Source Multimode Interferometer Cluster (COSMIC), which will enable one of the most comprehensive Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) programs to-date, and the VLA Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE), which is a well-established program supporting a wide range of continuum astrophysics, time-variable phenomena, and ionospheric science. The remarkable advantages of 24/7 VLA commensal observations have already been demonstrated by VLITE, recording over 37,000 hours of VLA time at a frequency of 340 MHz over the past 6 years. The fellow will leverage the VLITE experience for commissioning COSMIC, by working closely with a diverse team of researchers at the SETI Institute and collaborating closely with COSMIC/VLITE partners, including the Berkeley SETI Research Center (BSRC), the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO). The fellow will have access to science ready data products from VLITE, and is encouraged to expand and exploit its new msec timescale capabilities, including the detection and localization of FRBs. Time will be available for independent research, preferably in the areas of SETI, radio transient, or ionospheric science. The fellow has the unique opportunity to become an expert user of the VLA, which can be of great benefit to their own research, and to work directly with NRAO Array Operations and Engineering staff to understand and potentially further improve the functional aspects of the COSMIC and VLITE instruments within the VLA environment.

Research funds will be provided for publications and travel to conferences and workshops. In addition, the postdoctoral researcher will be given opportunities for research collaboration at the SETI Institute, BSRC and/or NRL.

This position is available immediately. Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Informal inquiries are welcomed to Dr. Andrew Siemion ([email protected]), Dr. Cherry Ng ([email protected]), Dr. Namir Kassim ([email protected]) and Dr. Tracy Clarke ([email protected]).

Responsibilities: • Commission the COSMIC commensal observing system on the VLA • Work on the VLITE commensal observing system on the VLA • Collaboration with a diverse team of researchers at the SETI Institute and work closely with COSMIC/VLITE partners including the Berkeley SETI Research Center (BSRC) and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL).

Qualifications: • PhD in astronomy, astrophysics, computing science or a related field at the time of appointment. • Strong software development skills are a key asset. • Familiarity with the VLA, and familiarity with scientific computing/observatory software/radio astronomy technology • Knowledge of radio observatory science operations • Must work effectively both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary research team.

Please submit applications through the following link and include the following required documents: https://www.seti.org/postdoctoral-fellow-observing-science-using-vla • Cover letter • Research Statement (max. 3 pages, excluding bibliography) • CV • Publication list • 2 confidential letters of recommendation

Diversity and Equity The SETI Institute is an Affirmative Action Employer and members of underrepresented communities and demographics are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

Job Location, Compensation, and Benefits: This position will be based in Socorro, New Mexico; the DSOC is located in Socorro on the campus of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (www.nmt.edu). Socorro is a small, historical town in the Rio Grande Valley, 75 miles south of Albuquerque. The SETI Institute provides competitive salary, excellent benefits including health/dental/vision insurance, a flexible spending account for medical and dependent care, vacation, and sick leave. The Institute sponsors a retirement plan option upon fulfillment of eligibility.