Research Scientist

SETI INSTITUTE

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Research Scientist

Location: Remote

Hours: Full Time 

Reports To: Ann Marie Cody 

FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time 

Salary Range: $90,000 to $107,000

About SETI At the SETI Institute, we aren’t just looking at the stars, we are actively trying to understand our place among them. Our mission is dedicated to advancing humanity’s understanding of the universe through world-class scientific research, exploration, and discovery. We bring together a brilliant, passionate community of researchers, scientists, engineers, and innovators. To fuel our next giant leap, we need a team that matches our cosmic curiosity and can help us bring the world’s finest scientific minds together.

About This Role Over the last six years, NASA's TESS mission has delivered high-cadence space-based optical photometry for millions of stars across the sky. Among these are tens of thousands of young stellar objects (YSOs), many of which have not been studied or even catalogued before. With TESS time series data, there is now an unprecedented opportunity to discover and study new YSOs based on their variability properties.

Our team has recently been funded by NASA to carry out an all-sky photometric variability survey with TESS as part of a three-year study on young, low-mass stars in hundreds of different star-forming regions. We are seeking a highly analytical Research Scientist to collaborate with our established team of astronomers and data scientists. In this role, you will manage datasets and participate in all phases of the project—from initial selection and download of TESS light curves to the advanced statistical analysis and correlation of observed variability with the physical properties of YSOs over a substantial range of mass and age.

What You'll Do

• Manage Datasets & Selection: Oversee the selection and download of six years of TESS Full Frame Image data from NASA's Quick Look Pipeline (QLP) and assemble a complete time-domain dataset to create a new catalog of young stars across all TESS sectors.

• Conduct Advanced Data Analysis: Perform rigorous data quality assessments to quantify systematic effects in TESS light curves and utilize advanced computing skills to conduct deep statistical analyses of the time series.

• Develop Models & Simulations: Run complex simulations to understand biases, uncertainties, and completeness limits in the team's astronomical catalog, while developing physical computer models of variability processes operating on and around young stars.

• Lead Team & Mentorship Efforts: Oversee team meetings, mentor interns, and actively participate in astronomy meetings to foster a collaborative and educational research environment.

• Publish & Present Research: Take a lead role in scientific communication by writing and submitting major project results for publication, and presenting on behalf of the team at high-level domestic and international conferences.

Who You Are

• An Analytical Subject Matter Expert: You have a deep understanding of the physics operating in conjunction with YSOs, including gas accretion, circumstellar dust dynamics, and starspot modulation.

• A Collaborative Scientist: You thrive in an environment where you can collaborate with an established team of experts, share knowledge, and mentor the next generation of scientists (interns).

• A Technical Modeler: You possess superb advanced computing skills, strong software coding fundamentals, and view massive datasets as exciting puzzles waiting to be solved.

• A Scientific Communicator: Your scientific writing and presentation skills are sharp. You know how to clearly communicate complex astronomical findings to both your peers and international domestic audiences.

What We're Looking For

• PhD in astronomy/astrophysics or physics, backed by at least three years of postdoctoral research experience.

• Expertise in the variability of young stars (“YSOs”), preferably with an established portfolio of publications in this specific area.

• Documented history of working with time series photometry from ground and/or space telescopes.

• Software coding experience in Python, Matlab, or an equivalent programming language.

What Will Make You Stand Out

• Direct, prior experience working with NASA's TESS mission data or the Quick Look Pipeline (QLP).

• A strong background in quantifying spatial distributions of low-mass stars or characterizing magnetic cycles and differential rotation in YSOs.

• Prior experience successfully publishing papers detailing the magnetospheric accretion stability timescales for young disk-bearing stars.

Compensation & Benefits SETI offers a competitive compensation package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement benefits, paid time off, professional development opportunities, and other employee programs.

Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including skills, experience, qualifications, internal equity, geographic location, and business needs.

Equal Employment Opportunity SETI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Fair Chance Statement Consistent with applicable law, including the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

Disclaimer This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time based on organizational needs and business priorities.