Job Details

McCray Postdoctoral Fellowship for Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences
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Position Number: 5738179
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Science - Astronomy and Astrophysics

McCray Postdoctoral Fellowship for Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences

Requisition Number: 59873
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date:
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences (APS) at the University of Colorado Boulder is seeking applications for the inaugural Richard McCray Postdoctoral Fellowship for Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences. The award is open to scholars in all fields represented by faculty in our department including astrophysics, planetary sciences, solar and space physics, and astronomy education research.
This prize postdoctoral fellowship is named after the late Prof. Richard McCray, who made seminal contributions to a wide range of topics in theoretical and observational astrophysics, including interstellar gas dynamics, cosmic X-ray sources, supernovae, and supernova remnants. In addition to his scientific achievements, Professor McCray was deeply engaged in developing innovative pedagogy for undergraduate STEM education. The Richard McCray Postdoctoral Fellowship for Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences honors his legacy.
The APS department recognizes that the effectiveness and creativity of a group is strengthened by contributions from a broad range of perspectives. As such, we particularly welcome candidates from groups that have been historically underrepresented in astrophysics and planetary science and/or have demonstrated leadership toward building an equitable and inclusive scholarly environment. The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

About the Department:
The APS department is affiliated with several research centers and institutes (CASA, JILA, LASP) and offers ample resources for teaching and research, including access to observational, computational, and instrumental facilities. The University of Colorado is a member of the ARC 3.5-meter and ARCSAT 0.5-meter telescopes, and maintains a 0.6-meter and two 0.5-meter telescopes at the on-campus Sommers-Bausch Observatory. CU Boulder is an institutional member of the SDSS IV and V surveys and has institutional access to the Las Cumbres Observatory. The successful candidate would also have access to the CU Boulder facility for high-performance computing and world-class facilities for the development of spaceborne and ground-based hardware. The headquarters of the National Solar Observatory is located on the Boulder campus. The Fiske Planetarium on campus is a world-class planetarium and educational facility. The successful candidate can expect to join a department that strives to value and support all members of our community.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

This fellowship will provide support for teaching, research, service and professional development activities.
The fellow is expected to pursue research in collaboration with APS faculty, researchers, and/or students.
The fellow will meet periodically with their faculty sponsor for the purpose of mentoring and professional development.
The fellow may elect to teach, either in the classroom or as a mentor to graduate or undergraduate students, as well as participate in service activities in the department, internal to the university, and externally.

What You Should Know

The initial appointment will be made for two years, with the possibility of extending to a third year.
Candidates should identify a faculty member in the APS department who has agreed to be their sponsor prior to submitting their application.
The start date for this position is expected to be August 2025.

What We Can Offer

The fellowship provides an initial stipend of $85,000 annually.
Fellows will also receive reimbursement for up to $5,000 in moving expenses.
The fellow will be provided with a research fund of $12,000 per annum to be used in support of research and professional development activities.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Candidates for this position must have completed their Ph.D. in astrophysics, planetary science, or related field by August 31, 2025 and no earlier than September 1, 2022.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Curriculum Vitae including a list of publications
Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
Statement of Research that includes interests and plans

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.
During the application process you will need to enter contact information for three references. We will request letters of recommendation and additional materials, if needed, as the search progresses.
Applications submitted by December 15, 2024 will receive full consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/McCray-Postdoctoral-Fellowship-for-Astrophysical-and-Planetary-Sciences/59873