Postdoctoral Associate in Exoplanets, Brown Dwarfs and M Dwarf Stars

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 zjzhang@rochester.edu.

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

EOE, including disability/protected veterans

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Classes). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.