Schmidt Observatory System Postdoctoral Fellows

Job description

**[Schmidt Sciences](http://schmidtsciences.org/)** is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt that works to accelerate scientific knowledge and breakthroughs with the most promising, advanced tools to support a thriving planet. The organization prioritizes research in areas poised for impact including AI and advanced computing, astrophysics, biosciences, climate, and space—as well as supporting researchers in a variety of disciplines through its science systems program. ### **Summary** The Astrophysics Center at Schmidt Sciences invites applications for the **Schmidt Observatory System Postdoctoral Fellows** program — a highly selective cohort of early-career scientists embedded within the development of the Schmidt Observatory System. The [Schmidt Observatory System](https://www.schmidtsciences.org/schmidt-observatory-system/) is a coordinated network of ground- and space-based observatories operating with integrated resources across a broad range of astrophysical investigations, with multiple facilities expected to be online in the next 2-3 years. This program is designed for scientists who want to work at the intersection of **observatory design, system performance, and mission-shaping science**. Fellows will contribute directly to the technical and scientific foundations of multiple observatories, influencing how these facilities are built, calibrated, and used by the scientific community. Fellows will operate within a small, high-impact team working fluidly across multiple observatories, engaging directly with scientists, engineers, and leadership. Day-to-day work includes developing and evaluating system architectures, advancing calibration and analysis methodologies, and translating scientific goals into technical requirements and operational strategies. Fellows are expected to take ownership of key problem areas, producing both scientific results and enabling capabilities, with the opportunity to shape critical decisions at a stage when trade-offs remain open. ### **The Role** Postdoctoral Fellows will form the **inaugural cohort of approximately five postdoctoral researchers embedded within the Schmidt Observatory System.** **This is a two-year, fixed-term fellowship with a structured third-year renewal based on performance.** Fellows will develop focused work plans in close collaboration with the Schmidt Observatory System team. These plans will be milestone-driven and delivery-focused, giving Fellows responsibility for defined problem areas while ensuring close alignment with evolving Observatory System needs. The role combines hands-on technical contribution, scientific analysis, and close collaboration with internal technical leadership and external partners. Fellows will have **direct involvement in decisions that shape how the Observatory System matures from development toward science operations.** ### **Fellowship Structure and Environment** This fellowship is structured around direct contributions to the development and performance of the Schmidt Observatory System, alongside the production of publications and other research artefacts. Fellows are expected to produce **scientific and technical publications** arising directly from their work on the Schmidt Observatory System. Rather than separating research from programmatic work, this role is designed such that **core Observatory System contributions are themselves scientifically substantive and publishable**. Work will focus on defined priorities in system development and performance maturation, while allowing Fellows to integrate their research expertise to develop approaches, analyses, and ideas that advance both program goals and their scientific trajectory. Work plans will be developed in collaboration with the Observatory System team and are expected to evolve as the observatories progress. Fellows will work under the guidance of senior [members of the Astrophysics Center](https://www.schmidtsciences.org/team/)[,](https://www.schmidtsciences.org/team/) within a structured environment that supports both project execution and professional development, with exposure to career paths across academia, observatories, industry, and philanthropy. The fellowship is based at Schmidt Sciences, a science philanthropy that plays an active role in the design, development, and scientific use of the observatories it supports. The Astrophysics Center includes a growing in-house team of astronomers and technical experts working across these efforts. **Support will be available for travel, conference attendance, publications, computing, and access to advanced AI and data resources.** Fellows will be expected to take ownership of well-defined problem areas and drive them from concept through execution to publication. The key responsibilities and areas of focus listed below represent current priorities; additional or customized focus areas may be defined for exceptional candidates whose expertise aligns strongly with Observatory System needs. **Applicants are encouraged to indicate one or more areas of focus in their cover letter,** along with any additional areas aligned with their expertise. ### Key Responsibilities (Observatory System Development & Scientific Impact) - Contribute to and, where appropriate, lead system-level analyses that improve observatory performance, calibration, and readiness - Develop simulations, models, and tools that inform instrument design, observational strategy, and predicted scientific yield for key science cases - Translate technical system behavior into quantified scientific impact - Contribute to design reviews and cross-observatory integration efforts - Produce technical reports, performance forecasts, and peer-reviewed publications - Build software tools or analysis frameworks that support observatory capabilities and scientific use - Collaborate across instrumentation, operations, and data systems teams - Participate in science definition discussions that shape observatory priorities and observing strategy - Present work at internal meetings and external conferences, contributing to the broader scientific community - Contribute to commissioning planning and on-sky verification of instrument and system performance ### Areas of Focus: - **AI & Advanced Analysis Tools**Development of AI-driven methods for scientific analysis, instrument modeling, and user interaction. This includes exploratory work on AI-assisted workflows, systematics modeling, and new approaches to extracting scientific insight from complex observatory data. - **Dynamic Observatory Operations** Design and analysis of adaptive, system-level observing strategies, including scheduling, coordination across facilities, and real-time decision-making. This work focuses on maximizing scientific return through intelligent, responsive operation of the Observatory System. - **Spectroscopy & Science Performance**End-to-end modeling and validation of spectroscopic/spectrophotometric performance, including calibration, instrument systematics, and propagation of effects through to scientific measurements. Emphasis on translating instrument and system behavior into quantified spectroscopic capability, including analysis pipeline development. - **Photometry & Science Performance**Quantification and optimization of photometric precision and stability, including error budgeting, systematics analysis, and performance under realistic observing conditions. Focus on predicting and improving science yield for key photometric investigations, including development of associated pipelines and analysis tools. - **Coronagraph & High-Contrast Imaging Performance**System-level modeling and validation of high-contrast imaging performance, including sensitivity limits, stability, and operational considerations. Focus on ensuring reliable and well-characterized performance for exoplanet and related science cases. - **Time-Domain & Multimessenger Coordination**Development and optimization of system-level coordination across observatories for time-domain and multimessenger science. This includes broker ecosystems, alert handling, and strategies for prioritization and follow-up, with the goal of enabling efficient, high-impact transient discovery and characterization. - **Future Missions & Observatory Design** Assessment, design, and trade-space analysis of future observatories and mission concepts. This includes evaluating scientific potential, system architectures, and design choices, and developing frameworks that guide prioritization and the long-term evolution of the Schmidt Observatory System. ### Requirements: - Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics, Physics, or a closely related field - Demonstrated research excellence, including a strong publication record - Technical expertise in a relevant domain (e.g., instrumentation, data systems, simulation, AI/ML, observational astronomy) - Ability to work across disciplines and rigorously connect scientific questions with technical implementation in a fast-paced collaborative environment - Strong communication and collaboration skills - Interest in system-level problems and observatory-scale challenges ### Desired Additional Skills: - Experience with instrumentation, observations, data reduction, or observatory-scale systems - Background in data simulation, performance modeling, or error budgeting - Demonstrated experience developing scientific software, pipelines, and user-facing analysis tools - Familiarity with AI/ML approaches in scientific or operational contexts