OPENING DATE: July 23, 2026
CLOSING DATE: July 30, 2026
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Fund (Non-Federal), Temporary Not to Exceed One Year
DIVISION: High Energy Astrophysics Division
LOCATION: Cambridge, MA 02138
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all eligible candidates.
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Childcare), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment
- Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
- Complete a Probationary Period if applicable.
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
- The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
- Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
INTRODUCTION
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.
SUMMARY
This is a time-limited position for an Astrophysicist (Post-doctoral Research Fellow) in the High Energy Astrophysics Division of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The purpose of this position is to train postdoctoral researchers to conceive, plan, and conduct highly specialized research in the incumbent's area of expertise. The incumbent will undertake and develop a program of research into the properties of black holes and neutron stars, utilizing Xray spectroscopy and theoretical studies of accretion and wind outflows, potentially coupled with multiwavelength data.
1. Participate in and carry out scientific research involving a program of high-resolution spectroscopy and timing studies of compact objects in XRBs and AGN under the direction and supervision of the Principle Investigator
2. Participate in the preparation and submission of proposals for studies using appropriate space-based facilities such as XRISM, XMM-Newton, NuSTAR, NICER, etc.
3. Prepares papers for publication in scientific journals and and prepares and presents findings at scientific meetings on the results of the high-resolution spectroscopy and timing studies of compact objects to improve our understanding of the accretion physics, wind energetics, and the geometry of their innermost regions.
4. Utilize advanced numerical and statistical methods to apply complex models to the observed data.
5. Performs other duties as assigned.
Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: in one or a combination of astronomy, physics, mathematics, space science, or electronics. The course work must have included differential and integral calculus and 12 semester hours in astronomy and/or physics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience - at least 30 semester hours of courses equivalent to a major in any combination of astronomy, space science, physics, mathematics, and electronics, with required course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
In addition to the basic requirements, candidates for the grade 11 must also possess one of the following:
A. Master's or equivalent graduate degree; or
B. Minimum of one-year specialized experience equivalent to at least grade 9 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as experience with time-dependent photoionization modeling and reflection modeling ; or
C. Combination of successfully completed graduate level education and experience equivalent to the above.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required:
- Ability to perform scientific research as may be evidenced by receipt of a Ph.D.
- Knowledge of and the ability to utilize spectral fitting with complex models in XSPEC or SPEX using advanced methods to characterize the parameter space and identify absolute minima from local minima.
- Knowledge of and the ability to utilize timing analysis methods of point sources in X-ray astronomy to identify the geometry and structure of the innermost regions in the source.
- Ability to present findings in a publishable format and to present material at professional meetings.
- Ability to apply modern computer technology to the solution of scientific programs.
- Knowledge of scientific programming, modern methods of software generation, verification, and documentation.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact
[email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeesd.
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is joined by Harvard College Observatory to form the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. The Center is a collaboration between Harvard and Smithsonian designed to ask — and ultimately answer — humanity’s greatest unresolved questions about the nature of the universe. Founded in 1973, the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian is an ongoing collaboration designed to foster innovation and propel discovery. Our mission is to advance knowledge of the Universe through research in astronomy and astrophysics and in related areas of fundamental physics and geophysics.
At the CfA, scientists in a broad range of disciplines study the universe at every scale, from every wavelength, and using telescopes and instruments that span and orbit the globe, all with a single purpose: making groundbreaking discoveries that advance human knowledge.
