Massive Star Postdoctoral Researcher (#3)
Don Figer
RIT
54 Lomb Memorial Dr
COS/Ctr for Imaging Sci, 76-2246
Rochester, NY 146235604
Rochester Institute of Technology invites applications from postdoctoral researchers to pursue research with Dr. Don Figer. This position is for 2 years with possible extension to 3 years.
As part of a 5-year funded NASA Long Term Space Astrophysics project, we seek an energetic postdoctoral scholar to identify and characterize the most massive stars in the Galaxy. The following is the abstract for this project.
Until the Spitzer Space Telescope, there was no wide area survey that could identify massive stars at all distances in the Galaxy. Indeed, the sample of known O-stars is woefully incomplete, as it has largely been generated using optical observations that suffer from the absorption produced by dust in the disk. We are now at the cusp of a revolution in massive star research that Spitzer will trigger, and we propose to capitalize on that opportunity by performing the first survey of massive stars covering the majority of the Galactic volume. We will find and measure the physical properties of the most massive stars in the Galaxy using HST, Spitzer, Chandra, SOFIA, and ground-based observatories, using a survey technique that probes the majority of the Galaxy. This program addresses fundamental questions whose answers are basic requirements for studying many of the most important topics in Astrophysics: the formation and evolution of the most massive stars, the effects of massive stars on lower mass protostellar/protoplanetary systems, gamma-ray burst (GRB) progenitors, nature of the first stars in the Universe, chemical enrichment of the interstellar medium, Galactic gas dynamics, star formation in starbursts and merging galaxies (particularly in the early Universe). The results of our program will influence the science programs for future NASA projects, i.e. JWST, SOFIA, SIM, TPF-C, and TPC-I.
Enquiries about this program may be directed to Dr. Don Figer (figer@cis.rit.edu ). Applications should include: a cover letter, a CV, and a statement of research interests. Applicants should also provide names of three references. Applications and letters of reference received before December 1, 2006 will receive full consideration. Applicants must have a PhD. Please refer to job PC#9143.
Attention/Comments:
Weblink: http://finweb.rit.edu/HumanResources/CareerZone/servlet.html?cmd=jobmart.user.ViewPositionPage&position.id=1714
Email: figer@cis.rit.edu
Deadline: December 1, 2006