Postbac Researcher

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Caltech is a member partner of the NSF HDR Institute Accelerated AI Algorithms for Data-Driven Discovery (A3D3; https://a3d3.ai). We are seeking a post-baccalaureate research fellow to join our interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers to develop and deploy machine learning applications to accelerate science discoveries in multi-messenger astronomy. In particular, the position will focus on data from the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) and the search for optical counterparts to gravitational wave events detected by LIGO during the upcoming runs.

Essential Job Duties

• Part of the A3D3 MMA group working on various techniques, principally connected with the search for GW events detected by LIGO
• Will participate in regular A3D3 and ZTF group (Zoom) meetings
• Will be given particular coding tasks related to reinforcement learning and porting existing ML/DL algorithms to hardware accelerators such as FPGAs
• Will likely be working on emulators for models simulating kilonovae and possibly black hole mergers in accretion disks
• Will produce write-ups of results
  
  

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in physics, Astronomy, or related science
• Basic skills in Python, Java, and MATLAB
• Ability to travel
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Intellectual curiosity and effective communication skills in a team environment
• Strong organizational and communication skills
  
  

Required Documents

• Resume
  
  

Hiring Range

$19.00 - $23.00 Per Hour

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our

EEO Statement

We are 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 national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Disability Accommodations

Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position.

If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at

Additionally, if you do not meet the basic qualifications of a role but believe you can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at