Job Opportunities in the Department for 2025

Our department is committed to diversity and making the field more equitable and inclusive (read more here). With this in mind, we will take into consideration personal experiences, as well as efforts in education, outreach or other service activities related to astrophysics or other sciences. Princeton University is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

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The following positions are offered in the Department of Astrophysical Sciences:
Assistant Professor, Astrophysical Sciences
Lyman Spitzer, Jr. Postdoctoral Fellowship
Henry Norris Russell Postdoctoral Fellowship
Carnegie-Princeton Postdoctoral Fellowship
Future Faculty in the Physical Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship
Exoplanets
ISM/Star Formation Theory and Computation
Plasma Physics
Space Physics
Statistical Astronomy
Transient science with HATPI
Visiting Fellow in Space Physics

The following are additional positions of interest outside of the Department of Astrophysical Sciences:
Gravity Initiative
Gravitational Wave Astrophysics

FAQ - frequently asked questions about jobs in Princeton's Department of Astrophysical Sciences 
 

Assistant Professor, Astrophysical Sciences

Princeton University is searching for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Astrophysical Sciences, to begin in fall 2025. Areas of interest include theoretical and observational dynamics, time-domain astrophysics, and modern statistical techniques in astrophysics, although candidates working in all areas of observational or theoretical astrophysics are welcome to apply. The primary selection criteria will be accomplishment and promise in research, as well as the ability and interest to teach a broad range of courses and to supervise undergraduate and graduate student research projects. Information on departmental resources and research programs can be found at https://web.astro.princeton.edu/.

Applicants should apply via https://puwebp.princeton.edu/AcadHire/position/35861. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2024.

Applications require: a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, and separate 3-4 page descriptions of research and teaching interests. Applicants also have the option of including a separate personal statement. Contact information for at least three references must also be submitted through the above site. For further inquiries, contact [email protected].

All applicants must have a Ph.D. and a record of research productivity. They must also be committed to teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Princeton is especially interested in candidates who, through their research, teaching, and service, will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. We seek faculty members who will create a climate that embraces excellence, with a strong commitment to teaching and mentoring that will enhance the work of the department and that will attract and retain a diverse student body.

This position is subject to the University's background check policy. Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Lyman Spitzer, Jr. Postdoctoral Fellowship

The Department of Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton University invites applications for the Lyman Spitzer, Jr. Postdoctoral Fellowship in Astrophysics. Spitzer Fellows are expected to carry out original research in astrophysics, independently or in collaboration with Princeton faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and students. The fellowship is intended primarily to support researchers in theoretical astrophysics, but exceptional candidates in all areas of astronomy are encouraged to apply. The fellowship is open to postdoctoral or more senior researchers and includes a substantial annual research fund. Applications from members of groups historically under-represented in Astrophysics are especially encouraged.

Applicants may work with the department’s distinguished faculty and research staff. For a full list of department members and activities, see https://web.astro.princeton.edu/. There are also strong research groups with interests in astrophysics at the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab and in the Physics, Geosciences, and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Departments, and at the nearby Institute for Advanced Study. Spitzer Fellows will have access to the extensive Princeton research computing facilities. These include a variety of high-performance (petaflop) clusters with both CPUs and GPUs, large shared-memory systems for data analysis and visualization, and multiple petabytes of data storage. Spitzer Fellows will have data rights to the Hyper Suprime-Cam Survey and the Prime Focus Spectrograph Survey on the Subaru 8.2m telescope, and will have the right to apply to join the Atacama Cosmology Telescope and the Simons Observatory collaborations.

Appointments are for one year, renewable annually based on satisfactory performance, for a total of up to three years. The expected starting date is September 1, 2025, although this is flexible. A PhD in Astronomy or a related field is required. 

Interested persons should submit a curriculum vitae, a publication list and a research statement, and provide contact information for three references by November 1, 2024. Our department is committed to diversity and making the field more equitable and inclusive. Princeton is especially interested in candidates who will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. With this goal in mind, we will take into consideration personal experiences, as well as efforts in education, outreach or other service activities related to astrophysics or other sciences.

Applicants should apply via the web at https://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/36285. All applications received by November 1, 2024 will be fully considered, but applications will continue to be accepted until all available positions are filled. Letters of recommendation will be expected about a week after applications are submitted. All applications will be considered for all postdoctoral positions available in the department, including department fellowships and grant supported positions, but you will be asked in the application which positions you are interested in. For further inquiries, contact [email protected].

This position is subject to the University’s background check policy. Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Henry Norris Russell Postdoctoral Fellowship

The Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, invites applications for the Henry Norris Russell Fellowship in Astrophysics. Russell Fellows are expected to carry out original research in astrophysics, independently or in collaboration with Princeton faculty, postdoctoral researchers and students. The fellowship is intended primarily to support researchers in observational or experimental astrophysics, but exceptional candidates in all areas of astronomy are encouraged to apply. The fellowship is open to postdoctoral or more senior researchers, and includes a substantial annual research fund. Applications from members of groups historically under-represented in Astrophysics are encouraged.

Applicants may work with the Department’s distinguished faculty and research staff. For a full list of department members and activities, see https://web.astro.princeton.edu. There are also strong research groups with interests in astrophysics at the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab and in the Physics, Geosciences, and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Departments, and at the nearby Institute for Advanced Study. The Department is playing a major role in the Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time consortium, which is building a dedicated 8.4-meter telescope to carry out a 20,000-square-degree, multi-band, multi-epoch imaging survey. We are also collaborating with the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan to carry out deep, high-resolution, wide-area imaging and spectroscopic surveys to study galaxy evolution, cosmology, Milky Way structure, and planetary systems on the Subaru 8.2 meter telescope on Maunakea, Hawaii as part of the Hyper Suprime-Cam and Prime Focus Spectrograph surveys. We also have major initiatives searching for and characterizing extrasolar planets, including leadership of the HATPI survey and participation in the TESS survey.

We are using the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) to map the intensity and polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background at a variety of frequencies, and are participating in the new Simons Observatory for CMB studies. Russell Fellows will have data rights to the Hyper Suprime-Cam Survey and the Prime Focus Spectrograph Survey on the Subaru 8.2m telescope, and will have the right to apply to join ACT and the Simons Observatory collaborations, for which Princeton has institutional membership. Russell Fellows will also be able to apply for Princeton’s share of time on the Magellan 6.5-meter telescopes and have access to the extensive Princeton research computing facilities. These include a variety of high-performance (petaflop) clusters with both CPUs and GPUs, large shared-memory systems for data analysis and visualization, and multiple petabytes of data storage.

Appointments are for one year, renewable annually based on satisfactory performance, for a total of up to three years. The expected starting date is September 1, 2025, although this is flexible. A PhD in Astronomy or a related field is required. 

Interested persons should submit a curriculum vitae, a publication list and a research statement, and provide contact information for three references by November 1, 2024. Applicants also have the option of including a separate personal statement. Our department is committed to diversity and making the field more equitable and inclusive. Princeton is especially interested in candidates who will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. With this goal in mind, we will take into consideration personal experiences, as well as efforts in education, outreach or other service activities related to astrophysics or other sciences.

Applicants should apply via the web at https://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/36285. All applications received by November 1, 2024 will be fully considered, but applications will continue to be accepted until all available positions are filled. Letters of recommendation will be expected about a week after applications are submitted. All applications will be considered for all postdoctoral positions available in the department, including department fellowships and grant supported positions, but you will be asked in the application which positions you are interested in. For further inquiries, contact [email protected].

This position is subject to the University’s background check policy. Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Carnegie-Princeton Postdoctoral Fellowship

The Carnegie Science Observatories and the Department of Astrophysical Sciences of Princeton University invite applications for a four-year postdoctoral fellowship in astronomy, to begin in fall 2025. Fellows are expected to work two years at the main offices of the Observatories in Pasadena and two years at Princeton (one-year term renewed annually at a rank of Postdoctoral Research Associate or more senior research position), in an order to be negotiated with the applicant. Carnegie-Princeton Fellows will carry out original research in any area of astronomy or astrophysics, either independently or in collaboration with staff, faculty or students at the host institutions. The principal selection criteria will be outstanding research accomplishments and promise of future achievement. Top candidates will indicate directly how they will exploit resources from both Carnegie and Princeton. Preference will be given to researchers working in those areas in which Carnegie and Princeton have active research interests.

The fellows will have access to all of the resources and facilities of both institutions. In particular: Carnegie Science owns and operates the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile, which includes the twin 6.5-meter Magellan telescopes, and the 2.5-meter du Pont and 1.0-meter Swope telescopes. Carnegie is also a full institutional member of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey V. Based in Pasadena, between the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the California Institute of Technology, the Observatories provide an exceptional intellectual environment and access to resources for theorists, observers, and instrumentalists alike. The Department of Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton is a major partner in the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT), the Simons Observatory, and the Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time. The department is collaborating with the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan to carry out deep, high-resolution, wide-area imaging and spectroscopic surveys to study galaxy evolution, cosmology, Milky Way structure, and planetary systems on the Subaru 8.2 meter telescope on Maunakea, Hawaii as part of the Hyper Suprime-Cam and Prime Focus Spectrograph surveys. The successful applicant will have the right to join the Subaru surveys, and to apply to join the ACT and Simons Observatory collaborations, for which Princeton has institutional membership. Carnegie-Princeton Fellows will also have access to the extensive Princeton research computing facilities. These include a variety of high-performance (petaflop) clusters with both CPUs and GPUs, large shared-memory systems for data analysis and visualization, and multiple petabytes of data storage. Together with research groups in other departments in the university and the nearby Institute for Advanced Study, the department offers an unparalleled environment for research in theoretical and observational astrophysics and cosmology.

The position provides support for observing, travel, computing and publications, and the observing and computational facilities at both institutions will be accessible for the entire duration of the position. Further information on the host institutions is available at https://carnegiescience.edu/obs and https://web.astro.princeton.edu.

Interested persons should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, bibliography, a research statement describing the applicant's previous research and future research plans (up to five pages including references), a broader impact statement (one page), and provide contact information for three references. The broader impact statement should articulate the applicant's past accomplishments and future plans in any of the following areas: contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion, mentoring, service work, and outreach. For further information, please see https://carnegiescience.edu/about/working/postdocs/obs/impact-statement-overview and https://web.astro.princeton.edu/department-climate. Applications must be sent to BOTH the Observatories and to Princeton via the web at https://apply.interfolio.com/152106 AND https://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/36285 by November 1, 2024. Letters of reference are requested to be submitted by November 7, 2024.

Princeton and Carnegie strive to enable a scientifically excellent, equitable, and inclusive community, and therefore aim for diverse groups of people to collaborate and thrive in their departments. With this goal in mind, we will take into consideration personal experiences, as well as efforts in education, outreach or other service activities related to astrophysics or other sciences. Applicants are asked to describe such experiences and their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, describing how they have contributed to such community characteristics in previous positions and how those contributions have been informed by their life experiences. Candidates from under-represented groups and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Selection of the successful candidate(s) will be made by a joint Carnegie-Princeton committee. All applicants will automatically be considered for all postdoctoral positions in the Astrophysical Sciences department at Princeton and for the Carnegie Fellowship at The Observatories unless otherwise specified; however, they should clearly state in the cover letter that they wish to be considered for the Carnegie-Princeton Fellowship. A PhD in Astronomy or a related field is required.

This position is subject to Princeton University’s background check policy.

Princeton University and Carnegie Science are Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employers and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

For questions or additional information, please send email to [email protected] and/or [email protected]. For additional information on the fellowship program at Carnegie, please visit https://carnegiescience.edu/about/working/postdocs/obs. For additional information on other positions in the Department of Astrophysical Sciences, please visit: https://web.astro.princeton.edu/jobs.


Future Faculty in the Physical Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship

Princeton University invites applications for the Future Faculty in the Physical Sciences (FFPS) Fellowship. We seek a diverse cohort of early career scientists who will conduct research in physics, broadly defined to include the subdisciplines of astrophysics, biophysics, and geophysics and planetary physics, independently or in collaboration with Princeton faculty, postdoctoral researchers and students. The Fellowship aims to increase excellence at Princeton by bringing scholars with unique backgrounds and insights, whose work will contribute to the promotion of groups that have been historically, and are presently, under-represented in physics and related fields. Candidates who have demonstrated a strong commitment to remedying the historical under-representation of people of color and women in the physical sciences by promoting inclusion, equity, and diversity through teaching, advising, mentoring, advocacy, or public outreach are especially encouraged to apply.

FFPS Fellows will have a primary home in the Department of Physics, of Astrophysical Sciences, or of Geosciences, and will be part of an actively mentored research community across institutional affiliations, including the Princeton Center for Theoretical Science, the Center for the Physics of Biological Function, the Princeton Gravity Initiative, and other Centers and Programs. The Fellowship includes an annual research fund. Appointments will be made at the postdoctoral or the associate research scholar rank. Postdoctoral appointments will be for one year, renewable annually based on satisfactory performance and funding, for a total of up to three years; associate research scholar appointments will be for three years. The expected starting date is September 1, 2025, although this is flexible. A PhD in the physical sciences or a related field is required.

Interested persons should submit a curriculum vitae, a bibliography, a statement of research interests and plans, and should provide contact information for three references by November 1, 2024, 11:59 pm Eastern Time. A personal statement on mentoring, outreach/service, or teaching philosophy that works to broaden opportunities in the field should be included as a separate section of the research statement. Applicants must apply via the web at https://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/36062. All applications received by November 1, 2024, 11:59 pm Eastern Time will be fully considered, but applications will continue to be accepted until the position(s) are filled. Letters of recommendation will be expected about a week after applications are submitted. Only submissions through the application website will be considered. For further inquiries, contact [email protected].

This position is subject to the University's background-check policy. Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Exoplanets

The Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, invites applications for a postdoctoral or more senior research position in exoplanets. The successful candidate(s) will join the research group of Prof. Joshua Winn to work on topics of mutual interest involving the Doppler, transit, and astrometric methods for planet detection and characterization, statistical studies of exoplanet populations, and investigations of orbital dynamics. Previous experience in these areas is an advantage. The successful candidate(s) will be eligible to propose for observing time using the Magellan 6.5m and WIYN 3.5m telescopes and will have access to state-of-the-art computational facilities, opportunities for collaboration, and support for travel.

Appointments are for one year, renewable annually based on satisfactory performance and funding, for a total of up to three years. The expected starting date is September 1, 2025, although this is flexible. A PhD in Astronomy or a related field is required.

Interested persons should submit a curriculum vitae, a publication list and a research statement, and provide contact information for three references by November 1, 2024. Our department is committed to diversity and making the field more equitable and inclusive. Princeton is especially interested in candidates who will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. With this goal in mind, we will take into consideration personal experiences, as well as efforts in education, outreach or other service activities related to astrophysics or other sciences.

Applicants should apply via the web at https://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/36285. All applications received by November 1, 2024 will be fully considered, but applications will continue to be accepted until all available positions are filled. Letters of recommendation will be expected about a week after applications are submitted. All applications will be considered for all postdoctoral positions available in the department, including department fellowships and grant supported positions, but you will be asked in the application which positions you are interested in. For further inquiries, contact [email protected].

This position is subject to the University’s background check policy. Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


ISM/Star Formation Theory and Computation

The Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, invites applications for a postdoctoral or more senior research position in theory and numerical modeling of star formation and the interstellar medium (ISM). The successful candidate will work with Prof. Eve Ostriker to investigate the process of star formation and the structure and dynamics of the multiphase, turbulent ISM, including interactions with radiation and cosmic rays, in a range of galactic environments. Studies may include computational MHD and RHD modeling of giant molecular cloud (GMC) formation/evolution/destruction; fragmentation of GMCs into individual star+disk systems, binaries, and star clusters; and the regulation of star formation and galactic winds induced by feedback to the ISM. The successful candidate will have access to state-of-the-art computational facilities, opportunities for collaboration, and support for travel.

Appointments are for one year, renewable annually based on satisfactory performance and funding, for a total of up to three years. The expected starting date is September 1, 2025, although this is flexible. A PhD in Astronomy or a related field, as well as experience in computational fluid dynamics, is required.

Interested persons should submit a curriculum vitae, a publication list and a research statement, and provide contact information for three references by November 1, 2024. Our department is committed to diversity and making the field more equitable and inclusive. Princeton is especially interested in candidates who will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. With this goal in mind, we will take into consideration personal experiences, as well as efforts in education, outreach or other service activities related to astrophysics or other sciences.

Applicants should apply via the web at https://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/36285. All applications received by November 1, 2024 will be fully considered, but applications will continue to be accepted until all available positions are filled. Letters of recommendation will be expected about a week after applications are submitted. All applications will be considered for all postdoctoral positions available in the department, including department fellowships and grant supported positions, but you will be asked in the application which positions you are interested in. For further inquiries, contact [email protected].

This position is subject to the University’s background check policy. Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Plasma Physics

A postdoctoral position in plasma astrophysics is available at the Department of Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton University. The research will be to conduct numerical studies for non-local flow-driven magnetized plasma instabilities and their associated nonlinear transport in astrophysical and laboratory plasmas. The applicant is required to have a PhD in physics, or a related field, and have a strong background in computational astrophysics. The expected starting date is negotiable.  Appointments are for one year with the possibility of renewal pending satisfactory performance and continued funding. This project is funded by the NSF award "Non-local magneto-curvature instabilities and their associated nonlinear transport in astrophysical disks".

Applicants must apply online and submit a cv, cover letter and contact information for three references at: https://puwebp.princeton.edu/AcadHire/position/34621. Letters of recommendation will also be handled through this site.
Application materials: 
*1-3-page cover letter, describing your previous research, future research goals and career plans, and interest in the Simons project. Please comment on your experience with both analytic methods and scientific computing.
*CV, including complete list of publications.

We are seeking to recruit from as diverse a pool of talent as possible, and endeavor to preserve the Department of Astrophysical Sciences' reputation as a pleasant workplace with a lively and friendly scientific atmosphere which recognizes that technical innovations are an important intellectual contribution to the science produced.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis as they are received.  Applications should be submitted by November 17, 2024, 11:59 (EST) for full consideration, but applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.  This position is subject to Princeton University's background check policy. The work location for this position is in-person on campus at Princeton University.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Space Physics

The Space Physics Group in the Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, anticipates offering one or more postdoctoral or more senior research positions in experimental/observational space physics.

The Space Physics Group conducts research in many aspects of space physics (aka heliophysics), with a strong emphasis on experimental and observational space plasma physics. Among others, the Group currently leads NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) mission, the Parker Solar Probe (PSP) Integrated Science Investigation of the Sun (ISIS) instrument suite, and the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission in development for launch in 2025 to explore the details of particle acceleration and the Sun's interaction with the local interstellar medium. See https://spacephysics.princeton.edu/ for more information about the Space Physics Group at Princeton University.

The successful candidate(s) can play a major role in one or more of the following: 1) analysis and publication of Energetic Neutral Atom (ENA) and other observations from IBEX, 2) analysis and publication of energetic particle observations from ISIS, 3) analysis and publication observations from IMAP (especially of solar wind and pickup ion data), and 4) other funded space physics research in the Group. Preferred qualifications include having prior experience in analyzing ENA and/or charged particle data and the proven ability to lead/participate in the rapid development and publication of numerous excellent research articles. Space instrument development experience is also a plus. A Ph.D. in Space Physics or a related field is required. The Term of appointment is based on rank. Positions at the postdoctoral rank are for one year with the possibility of renewal pending satisfactory performance and continued funding; those hired at more senior ranks may have multi-year appointments. Positions are available regularly so that starting dates may be negotiated.

Interested persons must apply online at https://puwebp.princeton.edu/AcadHire/position/35341 and submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, bibliography, a brief statement of research interests, publication list, and provide contact information for three references. Letters of recommendation will also be handled through this site. Applications will continue to be accepted until positions are filled. For further inquiries, contact [email protected].

These positions are subject to the University's background check policy. The work location for this position is in-person on campus at Princeton University. Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Statistical Astronomy

The Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, invites applications for a postdoctoral or more senior research position in statistical astronomy. The successful candidate(s) will work with Prof. Peter Melchior to design and build analysis methods for next-generation surveys (imaging and spectroscopy), and pursue their own research interests. Experience in signal processing, data fusion, deep learning, or simulation-based inference is an advantage. The successful candidate(s) will have access to state-of-the-art computational facilities, opportunities for collaboration, and support for travel.

Appointments are for one year, renewable annually based on satisfactory performance and funding, for a total of up to three years. The expected starting date is September 1, 2025, although this is flexible. A PhD in Astronomy or a related field is required.

Interested persons should submit a curriculum vitae, a publication list and a research statement, and provide contact information for three references by November 1, 2024. Our department is committed to diversity and making the field more equitable and inclusive. Princeton is especially interested in candidates who will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. With this goal in mind, we will take into consideration personal experiences, as well as efforts in education, outreach or other service activities related to astrophysics or other sciences.

Applicants should apply via the web at https://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/36285. All applications received by November 1, 2024 will be fully considered, but applications will continue to be accepted until all available positions are filled. Letters of recommendation will be expected about a week after applications are submitted. All applications will be considered for all postdoctoral positions available in the department, including department fellowships and grant supported positions, but you will be asked in the application which positions you are interested in. For further inquiries, contact [email protected].

This position is subject to the University’s background check policy. Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Transient science with HATPI

The Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, invites applications for a postdoctoral or more senior research position focused on transient science. The successful applicant(s) will work with Prof. Gáspár Bakos, Dr. Joel Hartman, and a team of researchers, including graduate students, on developing and operating a software pipeline to study transient events with HATPI, an ultra-wide field optical time-domain instrument at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. The HATPI instrument uses 64 wide-field lenses and cameras to simultaneously observe one fourth of the celestial sphere at a fast cadence and high photometric precision. Science topics to be explored with the instrument include transiting exoplanets, variable stars, transient phenomena and moving objects. The data reduction products, including high-cadence high-precision light curves for millions of stars, are to be made public.

Applicants should have knowledge of handling of large data sets and efficient automated data reduction. Knowledge of optical time domain astronomy and prior experience studying transient astrophysical events is desirable. Responsibilities include algorithm development and debugging; writing robust, efficient code; running and maintaining pipeline code; and evaluating the scientific performance of that code on real data. The researcher will also lead scientific investigations with the data. Experience in Python, Unix (Linux), and software engineering practices is essential, additionally experience in C/C++ would be an advantage. A PhD in Astrophysics, Computer Science, Physics, or a related field, and an expertise in scientific computing is required. The successful candidate(s) will have access to state-of-the-art computational facilities, opportunities for collaboration, and support for travel.

The Department is heavily involved in a number of related projects and has a community of experienced astronomical software developers. Examples include: the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile; Hyper Suprime-Cam, a large-format camera on the Subaru telescope on Maunakea, Hawaii; and the HAT global network of telescopes.

We endeavor to preserve the Astrophysical Sciences Department's reputation as a pleasant workplace with a lively and friendly scientific atmosphere which recognizes that technical innovations and software engineering are an important intellectual contribution to the science being produced by these surveys.

Appointments are for one year, renewable annually based on satisfactory performance and funding, for a total of up to three years. The expected starting date is September 1, 2025, although this is flexible. A PhD in Astronomy or a related field is required.

Interested persons should submit a curriculum vitae, a publication list and a research statement, and provide contact information for three references by November 1, 2024. Our department is committed to diversity and making the field more equitable and inclusive. Princeton is especially interested in candidates who will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. With this goal in mind, we will take into consideration personal experiences, as well as efforts in education, outreach or other service activities related to astrophysics or other sciences.

Applicants should apply via the web at https://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/36285. All applications received by November 1, 2024 will be fully considered, but applications will continue to be accepted until all available positions are filled. Letters of recommendation will be expected about a week after applications are submitted. All applications will be considered for all postdoctoral positions available in the department, including department fellowships and grant supported positions, but you will be asked in the application which positions you are interested in. For further inquiries, contact [email protected].

This position is subject to the University’s background check policy. Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Visiting Fellow in Space Physics

The Space Physics at Princeton Group (https://spacephysics.princeton.edu/) in the Department of Astrophysical Sciences is pleased to offer Visiting Fellow positions. The program supports faculty and equivalent senior researchers to do intensive research in residence at Princeton for periods from one month up to a full year. Visiting Fellows will work closely with Space Physics at Princeton Group members on one or more of several topical areas: 1) Energetic Particles observations from Parker Solar Probe, 2) Energetic Neutral Atom and/or Interstellar Neutral Atom observations from the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX), and 3) scientific preparations for the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP). The environment is scientifically intense, highly collaborative, and extremely rewarding.

The program aims to strengthen the Group with new and diverse perspectives while conducting world-class research and publishing numerous papers in collaboration with the Group. Visiting Fellow positions are suitable for faculty members on sabbatical and other comparable senior researchers on leave from their primary appointments. Financial support (including stipend and/or housing) may be offered. The work location for this position is in-person on campus at Princeton University.

Interested researchers should submit to https://puwebp.princeton.edu/AcadHire/position/35301 the following: 1) a brief cover letter stating the specific reasons you'd like to visit the Space Physics at Princeton Group and the dates you're available to visit and 2) a CV.


Other positions of interest (outside of the Department of Astrophysical Sciences) include the following:

Gravity Initiative

The Princeton Gravity Initiative is seeking exceptional Ph.D. recipients in theoretical gravitational theory for an honorific postdoctoral fellowship program. The Princeton Gravity Initiative is a collaborative effort between Princeton University's Astrophysics, Mathematics, and Physics Departments to explore the fundamental nature of gravity; see https://gravity.princeton.edu for more information. Candidates from all areas of research focusing on gravitational theory, including gravitational wave astrophysics, mathematical relativity, early universe cosmology, and quantum gravity, will be considered.

These appointments will be at the rank of Associate Research Scholar. Several positions may be available. The appointments are expected to extend for three years, with annual renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance. The work location for this position is in-person on campus at Princeton University. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and thus seek to recruit candidates who, through their research, teaching, and service, will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community.

This position is subject to the University's background check policy. To apply online, please visit https://puwebp.princeton.edu/AcadHire/position/35541 and submit a cover letter (which can include a research statement of up to three pages in length), CV, and contact information for three references.

To ensure full consideration, all materials, including letters of reference, must be received by October 30, 2024.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Gravitational Wave Astrophysics

The Princeton University Department of Physics invites applications for a postdoctoral research position to work with incoming Prof. Sylvia Biscoveanu in the area of gravitational-wave astrophysics. Research topics include analysis and astrophysical interpretation of LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA data, forecasting and statistical methods development for next-generation gravitational-wave detectors, and multimessenger analyses. Candidates with experience in gravitational-wave data analysis, source modeling, and electromagnetic follow-up are all encouraged to apply.

Princeton hosts a strong research program in gravity and relativistic astrophysics. The successful candidate will be able to interact with faculty and colleagues in the Princeton Gravity Initiative, Center for Theoretical Science, and the Department of Astrophysical Sciences.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in physics, astronomy, or an adjacent field by the time of the appointment and a record that demonstrates the ability to work independently and as part of a team in a research environment. Experience with astronomical inference and the scientific Python software ecosystem is preferred. The successful candidate should be willing to engage in interdisciplinary research across a broad range of topics within gravitational-wave astrophysics.

The Term of appointment is based on rank. Positions at the postdoctoral rank are for one year with the possibility of renewal pending satisfactory performance and continued funding. The expected starting date is September 1, 2025, although this is flexible.

Applications must be submitted online at https://puwebp.princeton.edu/AcadHire/position/36401 and include a CV with publication list, cover letter, statement of research interests, and contact information for three references. Letters of recommendation are expected within about a week following application submission and should be uploaded directly by letter writers via the online system (a prompt will be sent automatically to the applicant's references when their application is submitted). All applications received by December 1, 2024, 11:59 pm Eastern Time will be fully considered, but applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. For further inquiries, contact [email protected].

This position is subject to the University's background check policy. The work location for this position is in-person on campus at Princeton University. Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: You have several postdoc ads here. Do I need to apply separately for each postdoc position I'm interested in?
A: Many of our postdoc positions may be applied for with a single application, found here: https://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/36285. You should indicate in that application which positions you are interested in.
However, the following positions must be applied to individually:

  • Future Faculty in the Physical Sciences Fellowship (apply here)
  • Researcher in Space Physics (apply here)
  • Visiting Fellow in Space Physics (apply here)
  • Postdoctoral position in Plasma Physics (apply here)
  • Gravity Initiative (apply here)
  • Gravitational Wave Astrophysics (apply here)

Please see the individual ads for application information.

Q: May I apply to both the faculty position and one or more of the postdoc positions?
A: Yes, although separate applications are needed.

Q: How long should my research statement be?
A: For all of our postdoctoral positions, we will accept the AAS Postdoctoral Application Guidelines (see https://jobregister.aas.org/postdoc-application-guidelines). For other positions, please see the individual ads for guidance.

Q: How long should my personal statement be?
A: We suggest that the personal statement be 1-2 pages.

Q: How long should my teaching statement be?
A: We suggest that the teaching statement be 1-2 pages.

Q: Can I list Princeton as a host institution for the external fellowship for which I am applying?
A: Princeton University is an eligible host institution for national fellowships such as the NASA Hubble Postdoctoral Fellowship and the NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships. Candidates should contact the proposed faculty sponsor.

Princeton is also one of a select group of institutions eligible to host both the Brinson Prize Fellowship managed by STScI and the 51 Pegasi b Fellowship in Planetary Astronomy sponsored by the Heising-Simons Foundation. Princeton is home to a vibrant research program, including theoreticians, observers, and instrument builders, as well as links to major international projects such as the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, the HATNet, the HATSouth global network of telescopes, the HATPI all-sky survey, and the Terra Hunting Experiment. Postdoctoral candidates who may be interested in designating Princeton as a host institution for the 51 Peg Fellowship are encouraged to contact Professor Josh Winn in advance, to explore possible projects and connections to existing efforts. Postdoctoral candidates who may be interested in designating Princeton as a host institution for the Brinson Fellowship are encouraged to contact Professor Bill Jones (Physics Department).

Q: When are recommendation letters due?
A: Recommendation letters are due about a week after you submit your application. After you submit your application, your references will receive an email within 24 hours, each with a unique URL to upload their letter for you. The email will ask them to please upload their letter within one week. No application will be discounted due to late letters, although it will delay our full and careful review of your application.

Q: If I am offered a position, may I work remotely?
A: All of our positions are expected to be in-person, full time. There are very rare exceptions to this.

Q: Who do I contact if I have more questions?
A: For postdoctoral positions in the Department of Astrophysical Sciences, please email any questions to [email protected] or to the email listed in the ad. 
For our faculty position, please email any questions to [email protected].
We will do our best to reply in a timely manner.