SOAR Resident Science Fellow

La Serena - Chile

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 22 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

The NSF NOIRLab is the preeminent US national center for ground-based nighttime optical and infrared astronomy. NOIRLab is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) which operates as a matrix organization providing services across a range of programs: Gemini Rubin MSO (CTIO and KPNO) and CSDC; with facilities in three geographic locations: Arizona Chile and Hawaii. The mission of NOIRLab is to enable breakthrough discoveries in astrophysics by developing and operating state-of-the-art ground-based observatories and providing data products and services.

We invite applications for a NOIRLab postdoctoral position to support science operations at the Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) Telescope and conduct independent scientific research. This position has been funded by the Brazilian government for a period of three years with a possible extension for a fourth year. The position will be based in La Serena Chile.

SOAR is a 4m telescope located on Cerro Pachón. With excellent image quality it is equipped with several instruments including optical and near-infrared spectrographs and imagers and a Ground Layer Adaptive Optics system.

Duties of the position are split approximately 50/50 between research and support of observatory operations and include:

General user support for the telescope and its instruments which may emphasize an instrument or instruments used for the applicants research
Participation in development projects together with other scientists and technical staff
Observing support for Brazilian users of SOAR and training for support staff at the Brazilian Laboratório Nacional de Astrofísica (LNA)
Carrying out a competitive program of independent scientific research using SOAR and other astronomical facilities

The post-doctoral fellow will spend most of their time working at the NOIRLab headquarters in La Serena but must be able to work occasionally at the telescope at an altitude of 2800m and may also work nights at both locations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities or other considerations to perform the essential functions.

Qualified Brazilian astronomers are strongly encouraged to apply.

Required Education:

Recent doctorate in observational astronomy or closely related field
Experience with acquiring and reducing astronomical data
Excellent English-language communication skills

Desirable requirements:

Bi-lingual or multi-lingual communication skills (English/Portuguese/Spanish)
Experience with observatory operations
Experience with instrumentation development or relevant laboratory experience.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work is mostly carried out in an office environment. Long periods of sitting and computer usage may be required.
Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
Occasional need to move about inside the office environment to access files office tools attendance in a meeting room etc.
Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity tools that require fine motor skills such as a calculator copy machine computer printer etc.
May occasionally need to position self to maintain computer and related tools.
Seldomly needed to move objects up to 10 pounds.
Constant communication with other individuals. Must be able to discern and exchange information as appropriate to the situation.
Constant need to distinguish discern and identify a variety of objects and fine details with accuracy.
Occasional work at high elevation summit sites may be required (summit elevations range from 6800 feet to 14000 feet)

Salaries for positions hired in Chile meet Chile national market rates and internal scales for AURA.

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions competitive salary commensurate with experience and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at Benefits by Location - Aura Human Resources

How to Apply:

Applications received by Monday March 23th 2026 will receive priority consideration. This position will remain open until filled.

To apply please submit:

Cover Letter describing your interest in the position and related experience including any specific support interests.
Curriculum Vitae or Resume with a bibliography.
Statement summarizing your most important research contributions and proposed program of research at NOIRLab. Please limit the research statement to 3 pages.

Note: Submit all documents as PDF files named with the following format: (where Docname is CoverLetter CV or Resume or Statement). Please also append a list of 3 professional references with contact information to your Cover Letter. References will be contacted at a later stage in the recruitment.

Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistance at