Associate

University of Rochester: Office of the Provost: Academic Center: School of Arts & Sciences: Physics & Astronomy

Location

Rochester, NY

Open Date

Sep 22, 2025

Salary Range or Pay Grade

$60,000-64,000

Deadline

Dec 20, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Description

Applicants are invited to apply for a postdoctoral associate position in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Rochester, working with Professor ZJ Zhang and his research group.

Research topics for this position include spectroscopic observations of gas-giant exoplanets, brown dwarfs, and M dwarf stars; atmospheric modeling and characterization of these objects through spectroscopy; and the discovery of new exoplanets and brown dwarfs from wide-field sky surveys. Candidates with expertise in any of these areas are strongly encouraged to apply. The successful applicant will have opportunities to participate in ongoing JWST and ground- based observational programs.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy has privileged access to the twin 6.5-meter Magellan Telescopes and provides a supportive, collaborative environment for research. The successful candidate has access to Magellan Telescopes, high-performance computing facilities from the Center for Integrated Research Computing (CIRC), and opportunities to mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Rochester is a welcoming city with a vibrant cultural scene and abundant year-round outdoor activities in the Finger Lakes and surrounding region.

The nominal start date of this appointment is August 1, 2026, with flexibility for an earlier or later start. The initial term is 1 year, renewable annually for up to 3 years, contingent on satisfactory performance and continued funding.

The nominal salary range for this position is $60,000—$64,000, with the final amount commensurate with experience. The referenced pay range represents the full base range of pay for this job. Individual salaries will be determined within the job’s salary range and established based on market data, experience and expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

For more information, please contact Prof. ZJ Zhang at [email protected].

Qualifications

The applicants should have obtained a Ph.D. in Astronomy or a related field before the start date.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit the following materials through our online application system by December 15, 2025:

• Cover Letter (1 page)

• Curriculum Vitae, including a publication list (no page limit)

• Description of current research and future research plans (5 pages max, including text, figures, and tables; references do not count against the page limit.)

• Three letters of recommendation.

Application Process

This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.

Apply Now