Post-Doctoral Associate in Exoplanet Demographics

A Post-doctoral Associate in Exoplanet Demographics position is available to work on exoplanetary science with Prof. Sarah Ballard in the Department of Astronomy.

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position in research related to a variety of Exoplanet Demographics studies with Prof. Ballard’s exoplanets lab at the University of Florida (UF). The lab is involved with demographic investigations of exoplanets from a number of angles, including the relationships between planetary system architecture and stellar host mass, age, and multiplicity. Planetary system architecture includes number of planets, orbital spacing, and orbital eccentricity, among other properties.  

Our group seeks a qualified candidate to lead current and planned state-of-the-art exoplanet demographic studies at UF. Applicants will obtain foundational training in how to lead their own research laboratories, including leading day-to-day planning and management of ongoing projects, grant writing preparation and guidance, and how to build their own, unique research programs. Applicants with experience working with demographics are preferred. Applicants are encouraged to show strong problem solving skills and creativity.

Must have PhD in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, or other relevant space sciences. This position will be initially awarded for six months, and, contingent upon strong performance and conduct and availability of funds, may be renewed for up to one year.

UF is the state’s oldest, largest, and most comprehensive land grant university with an enrollment of over 50,000 students and was ranked 6th in the country among public universities (US News and World Report 2023 rankings), and 1st among public institutions in the Wall Street Journal 2023 survey.

For full consideration, applications must be submitted online. Click on Apply Now at the top of this posting.

A complete application includes (1) a letter of application summarizing the applicant's qualifications, interests, and suitability for the position, (2) a complete curriculum vitae, and (3) the names and email addresses of three references must be provided. An email will be sent to your references, requesting them to upload their confidential letter to the submission packet.

Applications will be reviewed beginning April 25, and the position will remain open until filled. Only complete applications will be reviewed at this time. Applications received after this date may be considered at the discretion of the committee and/or hiring authority.

All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a review of criminal records, reference checks, and verification of education.

The selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States require evaluation by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/ .