General Description of Position:
The science intern will carry out cutting-edge research on cold brown dwarfs. The intern will assist in the reduction, analysis, and interpretation of recently acquired data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
Essential Functions:
- Work closely with NOIRLab Astronomer to reduce and analyze JWST infrared imaging and/or spectroscopy of cold brown dwarfs.
- Utilize astronomical software and Python-based pipelines to process and extract scientific measurements from JWST datasets.
- Assist with early analysis of the spectral and photometric properties of these extremely cool, substellar objects.
- Help prepare figures, documentation and results for scientific presentations and publications.
- All AURA employees are responsible for the proper management and control of all AURA property within their work area, whether assigned to them or someone else. This responsibility includes reporting any known missing, stolen, or non-working property in their work area to their supervisor or the AURA Property Officer.
- Responsible for ensuring compliance with government award terms and conditions assigned to this position or subordinates of this position as defined in the Vela Award Management system, https://cas.aura-astronomy.org/Awards.
Other Functions:
Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:
- Enrolled in a bachelor’s program in a relevant field, or have a recent Bachelor's (or higher) degree in relevant field (astronomy, computer science)
- Studying toward or recent recipient of a university degree in astronomy, physics, computer science, data science, or a related technical field.
- Background knowledge of astronomy and physics: stars, planets, brown dwarfs, mechanics, and optics.
- Basic coding/scripting (for example in Python and/or bash) to automate analysis/transfer of data sets and make scientific plots/visualizations.
- Must possess good English communication skills (written and verbal).
- Self-motivated, ability to work with minimal supervision.
Preferred Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:
- Prior astronomy research experience.
- Python scripting for data analysis (e.g., Astropy, NumPy, Pandas).
- Prior experience working with infrared astronomical data or space telescope data
(e.g., JWST, HST, Spitzer, WISE).
- Familiarity with photometric and/or spectroscopic data reduction techniques.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.
- The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop; kneel; crouch; or crawl.
- The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
- Must possess - sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) reach upward, sideways, downward to work with paper files; b) sufficient mobility and dexterity to utilize computer systems, fax machines, copiers, and other office machines.
- Must possess – 1) ability to read and understand instructions, drawings, safety guides, and other written materials necessary to perform job; 2) sufficient visual capacity to perform the applicable functions without assistance of visual aids other than eye contacts or eye glasses; 3) sufficient spoken aural capacity to hear and understand instructions, warning bells, fire alarms, or shouted instructions without assistance of auditory aids other than a hearing aid; and 4) ability to impart information orally so that others understand and can respond appropriately
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
- Occasional need to move about inside the office environment to access files, office tools, attendance in a meeting room, etc.
- Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity tools that require fine motor skills, such as a calculator, copy machine, computer printer, etc.
- May occasionally need to position self to maintain computer and related tools.
- Seldomly needed to move objects up to 10 pounds.
- Constant communication with other individuals. Must be able to discern and exchange information as appropriate to the situation.
- Constant need to distinguish, discern, and identify a variety of objects and fine details with accuracy.
- Occasional work at high elevation summit sites may be required (summit elevations range from 6,800 feet to 14,000 feet)
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required by personnel so classified. This Institute promotes Equal Employment Opportunity workplace that includes reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified, disabled applicants and employees.
Work Environment:
This position operates in a professional office environment and routinely utilizes standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and copiers. The work environment is generally quiet and may involve working in close proximity to others, depending on the needs of the specific function.
Salary Range:
$17.20 per hour.
How to Apply
Apply by May 24, 2026 for priority consideration. This position will remain open until it is filled. Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume, PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: Lastname Docname.
Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistance here
