Postdoctoral Fellow in Experimental Cosmology

Position Description

The Department of Physics plays a pivotal role in the advancement of knowledge, nurturing the next generation of physicists and making a lasting impact on the field of physics.

The College of Natural Sciences at UT Austin strives to foster a work environment that enables all employees to contribute at the highest possible level in support of the mission of the University. What starts here really does change the world. For more information about the College of Natural Sciences, please visit https://cns.utexas.edu. ;

The University of Texas offers an impressive benefits package including:

• Employer paid health insurance (employee premiums covered at 100%; spouse and family premiums at 50%)
• Dental, vision, life and disability insurance options • Paid vacation and sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Retirement plan.

Job Description Summary

The Simons Observatory (SO) is a leading cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiment located in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. SO is a collaborative effort among institutions worldwide, working together to advance our understanding of the early universe, dark energy, neutrino masses, and the large-scale structure of the cosmos. The observatory is currently operating a 6-meter Large Aperture Telescope and three 0.5-meter Small Aperture Telescopes with over 90,000 transition-edge-sensor detectors.

A postdoctoral position in experimental cosmology is available in the research group of Prof. Nicholas Galitzki in the Department of Physics at the University of Texas at Austin. The successful candidate will perform research with SO, with a focus on observatory operations and instrument optimization. The position is for a one year initial appointment, renewable for additional years contingent on performance and available funding.

Review of applications will begin on October 16, 2026, and continue until the position is filled with an anticipated start date in early 2027.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will play a leading role in ensuring that the SO instruments continue to deliver data products that meet our target science goals. They will develop expertise in critical subsystems, including cryogenic, optical, and calibration elements, and lead data analysis efforts to assess instrument performance and characterize systematic effects. They will guide the implementation of targeted instrument improvements, working closely with the broader collaboration. They will also coordinate deployments of North American teams to Chile and deploy to the site themselves as needed to work directly with the instruments.

Required Qualifications

PhD in Physics or a closely related field. Candidates with experience in experimental physics or astrophysics are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications

Field deployment experience; programming in Python; data management and version control; experiment operations; cryogenics; and experience with TES or MKID detectors and associated technologies.

Salary Range
$65,000-$70,000

Working Conditions

•Standard office conditions.

•Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

•Use of manual dexterity.

•Working in a lab environment.

•Possible international travel

Physical Tasks

•Some lifting and moving of equipment may be required.

•May work in standard office conditions.

Required Materials
Interested candidates should submit:
Curriculum vitae (CV)
Brief cover letter describing their interest in and fit for the position
Research statement (3-page limit)
Three letters of reference