The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) and the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope (LCOGT) have together joined the Pan-STARRS-1 Science Consortium and now invite applications for joint CfA/LCOGT Postdoctoral Fellowships.

The ideal applicant will be an observer or data interpreter with an interest in extragalactic transients (supernovae, novae, and GRBs). It is expected that this person's activities would be based mostly on data from Pan-STARRS-1, and would also include observations using LCOGT or CfA facilities. Applicants must have obtained their Ph.D. by September 2008.

The CfA combines the resources and research facilities of the Harvard College Observatory and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory under a single director. CfA facilities include the MMT (Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory, Arizona), Magellan (Las Campanas Observatory, Chile), and other optical and infrared telescopes; radio telescopes, especially the Submillimeter Array on Mauna Kea, Hawaii; a large Beowulf cluster and network of workstations; a number of specialized laboratories; an outstanding library system; and access to data from a wide range of space missions, especially the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Spitzer Space Telescope.

The Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network (LCOGT) is in the process of assembling a global network of robotic optical telescopes. LCOGT is a privately funded observatory oriented towards the study of time-dependent astronomical phenomena; it is located in Goleta, CA near the campus of UCSB, and is connected with the astrophysics group there. LCOGT currently operates the two 2 meter Faulkes Telescopes (FTN & FTS), one at Haleakala, Maui, Hawai'i, and the other at the Mt. Stromlo Siding Spring Observatory at Siding Spring, Australia. Within a few years LCOGT will have longitudinally spaced rings of telescopes capable of robotic around-the-clock observations.

Appointments will be for four years, contingent upon satisfactory progress. The position will start, nominally in September 2008, with a 2-year residence at one or the other institution (CfA or LCOGT), at the discretion of the Fellow. The remaining 2 years will be spent in residence at the other institution. Each 2-year residence interval will be punctuated with at least four 1-week visits to the institution where the Fellow does not reside. Throughout the 4-year term, Fellows would have access to both CfA and LCOGT observing facilities. While in residence at LCOGT, he/she would have the option of being employed through UCSB, with corresponding privileges including access to observing time at Lick Observatory. The 2008-2009 stipend will start at $48K per year with a research budget of $4K per year. Funds are also provided for health benefits, and for the mandated visits described above.

Applicants should submit a CV, cover letter, and research statement via the application web site listed below. They should also arrange to have three letters of reference submitted in the same way.

For application instructions and to login to the application, please see the Application page.