Rsch Pro 6-Astrphys/Cosmology (Fortson) (# 370773)
About The Job
The Zooniverse Team in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota invites applications for a Research Associate position focusing on machine learning and data science applications in Astrophysics. Zooniverse is the world’s largest platform for citizen science, engaging nearly 3 million volunteers who assist in labeling and data analysis across hundreds of research projects.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the Zooniverse Incubator initiative and coordinate a Community of Practice (CoP).
Support collaborators and teams building custom front ends (IFEs) for citizen science.
Conduct independent research using astrophysical datasets from Zooniverse and related projects.
Mentor graduate and undergraduate students involved in data analysis and machine learning.
Report progress to project stakeholders and funding agencies.
Represent the Zooniverse team at conferences and workshops.
Contribute to project reviews, working groups, and dissemination of results.
Engage in professional growth through collaboration and exploration of emerging technologies.
Qualifications
Ph.D. in Physics, Astronomy, Computer Science, or a related data-intensive discipline.
Proven experience in data science and machine learning at scale.
Demonstrated leadership in coordinating collaborative projects (e.g., research groups, coding workshops).
Strong publication record and mentoring experience.
Ability to work independently and as part of a diverse, interdisciplinary team.
Preferred web development experience (academic or industry).
Familiarity with human–computer interaction or citizen science research.
Strong organizational, writing, and presentation skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Creativity, self-motivation, and commitment to community-driven science.
Willingness to travel for collaboration, particularly to Chicago and Oxford, UK.
Compensation & Benefits
Pay Range: $65,000 – $70,000 per year (depending on qualifications and experience)
Appointment: 100% (Full-Time)
Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff Science
Benefits Include:
- Competitive pay, paid holidays, and generous time off
- Continuous learning and professional development opportunities
- Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
- Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
- University HSA contributions
- Disability and life insurance (employer-paid)
- Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
- Astronomy Tuition benefits and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility
- Employee Assistance Program (including counseling sessions at no cost)
- Free or discounted Employee Transit Pass in the Twin Cities metro area
Note
H-1B visa sponsorship may be available for qualified candidates currently residing in the U.S.