Postdoctoral Researcher

Posting Summary

Logo For Posting
Posting Number	RTF00088PO25
USC Market Title	Post Doctoral Fellow
Link to USC Market Title	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/156387
Business Title (Internal Title)	Postdoctoral Researcher
Campus	Columbia
Work County	Richland
College/Division	College of Arts and Sciences
Department	CAS Physics and Astronomy
Advertised Salary Range	Salary commensurate with qualifications.
Location of Vacancy
Part/Full Time	Full Time
Hours per Week	37.5
Work Schedule	Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Type of Staff Position	Staff Research Grant (SRGP)
Basis	12 months
Job Search Category	Post-doctoral

About USC

About University of South Carolina
Inclusive Excellence Statement

Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below

The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

South Carolina Retirement	No
State Insurance Programs	Yes
Annual Leave	Yes
Sick Leave	Yes

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary	Under general supervision of Professor Varsha Kulkarni, the employee will assist in ongoing research in observational extragalactic astrophysics and help develop new directions in this area. Duties will include analyzing optical/infrared/ultraviolet data (e.g., imaging/spectroscopy/integral field spectroscopy from James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble Space Telescope, Keck telescopes, Spitzer Space Telescope, Very Large Telescope) on galaxies, quasars, circumgalactic/intergalactic medium, and the implications of the data for galaxy evolution; helping with the preparation of new observing proposals and obtaining the observations; and helping create and explore new research directions in astrophysical topics of mutual interest. The position requires a PhD degree in astronomy or a closely related field by the start date of employment. The successful candidate is expected to have expertise in extragalactic astrophysics, especially in analyzing optical/UV/IR images/spectra and spectral line fitting. Experience in analysis of integral field spectroscopic data would be strongly beneficial. This position is expected to be for 2 years, subject to availability of funding, and may be renewed further depending on performance and funding.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience	Requires a Doctoral (Ph.D.) degree in area of research specialty by the start date of employment.
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities	Expertise in extragalactic astrophysics, especially in analyzing optical/UV/IR images/spectra and spectral line fitting, which could have been gained during the normal course of a doctoral degree program. Required to conduct business lawfully and ethically by consistently adhering to compliance policies, procedures, and regulations.

Job Duties

Job Duty	Analyze optical/infrared/ultraviolet imaging/spectroscopy (e.g., from the James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble Space Telescope, Keck telescopes, Spitzer Space Telescope, and Very Large Telescope) on galaxies, quasars, and the circumgalactic/intergalactic medium, analyzing implications of the data for the evolution of dust/gas in galaxies.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	35

Job Duty	Analyze integral field spectroscopy data (e.g., from Keck, Very Large Telescope, James Webb Space Telescope) and the implications for the evolution of galaxies and the circumgalactic medium.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	35

Job Duty	Help with the preparation of related new proposals and obtaining the data.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	20

Job Duty	Help create and explore new research directions in astrophysical topics of mutual interest.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	10

Position Attributes

Hazardous weather category	Non-Essential
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.	No

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies	1
Desired Start Date
Position End Date
Job Open Date	04/24/2025
Job Close Date	06/08/2025
Open Until Filled	No
Special Instructions to Applicant	Please ask the references to email the letters (signed and on letterhead) directly to Prof. Varsha Kulkarni at kulkarni@sc.edu . Review of applications will begin on May 25, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Inquiries about this position may be directed to Prof. Kulkarni at kulkarni@sc.edu . Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. We are only accepting applications submitted by June 8, 2025.
Quicklink for Posting	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/185886
EEO Statement