Post-Baccalaureate Researcher

Applications are now being accepted for a one-year post-baccalaureate research position with Dr. McKinley Brumback, assistant professor of physics at Middlebury College in Middlebury, VT. This is a one-year, full-time position working on-campus at Middlebury College for 40 hours/week. Salary and benefits are competitive. The desired start date is in the range from June - August 2024, with an employment term of one year.

Core Responsibilities:

• The post-bac will complete a research project involving X-ray spectroscopic and timing studies of accreting neutron stars. This will involve using a combination of X-ray reduction software (HEASoft), Python, and shell scripting to reduce and analyze data. The exact topic will be determined after discussion with Prof. Brumback, but will involve studying the geometry and kinematics of infalling gas as it interacts with a neutron star’s strong magnetic field.
• The post-bac will be an active member of the Brumback research group and will assist Middlebury student researchers with their projects. The post-bac could also contribute to activities that will grow the astrophysics presence at Middlebury, such as journal clubs or discussion groups.
• The post-bac will assist in creating documentation on X-ray data analysis techniques for use by future Middlebury students.

Middlebury College is an equal-opportunity employer where diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values. To this end, the College recruits talented and diverse faculty, staff, and students from across the United States and around the world. Middlebury College encourages applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, and members of other protected classes and historically underrepresented communities. The College also invites applications from individuals who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Requirements

• Candidates should be soon or recent graduates with a bachelor’s degree in astronomy, physics, computer science, or a related science or engineering discipline.
• We encourage applicants who are considering applying to a graduate program in the near future, and who wish to expand their research experience in the interim to also apply.
• The successful candidate may have already completed some coursework in astronomy or astrophysics, prior astronomy research experience, and/or experience in scientific programming (Python) and familiarity with Unix-like computer systems.
• Prior knowledge of high energy astrophysics and accreting neutron stars is not required.

Offer is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.