Postdoctoral Fellowship in Solar System Science

About the role

Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) seeks to recruit a postdoctoral research fellow specializing in Solar System science. Joining LCO means being part of a unique environment that combines the best ideas from tech giants like Google and Apple with the academic rigor of an institute led by in-house scientists and engineers.

Responsibilities

• Participate in ongoing research projects focusing on Near-Earth Objects (NEOs), comets, and software coordination of follow-up observations.
• Contribute to the analysis of data from LCO's global telescope network, which includes 25 robotic telescopes covering both hemispheres.
• Collaborate with international partners and contribute to major new surveys and missions in time-domain and multi-messenger astrophysics.
• Gain hands-on experience with responsive, real-time observing programs and advanced astronomical software tools.
• Engage with the Astrophysics group at UC Santa Barbara and the Kavli Institute of Theoretical Physics for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or a related discipline by the start of employment.
• Astronomical software development experience, preferably in Python.

Qualifications

• Strong background in Solar System science.
• Experience with time-domain astronomy and software coordination.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Skills

• Python programming.
• Data analysis and modeling.
• Software development and customization.
• Collaboration and teamwork.

Benefits

• Employee benefits package including health insurance, paid time off, holidays, and support for travel, page charges, and computing.
• Starting salary of $75,000.

Pay

• The starting salary is $75,000.

Schedule

• The postdoctoral appointment will be for a two-year term, starting in September 2026 or earlier, with likely extension for a third year, based on satisfactory evaluations.

Contact Information

To apply, submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, research statement of no more than 3 pages, and names and contact information for three references that can provide letters of reference. All documents should be in a single PDF file and submitted to lcojobs@lco.global by June 15, 2026. Applications received by this date will receive full consideration.

Equal Opportunity Employer

LCO is an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures.