By joining our team at the IRS Science Center at Cornell University, the successful SIRTF fellow will be able to define his/her own science program and to participate in the analysis and publication of the IRS Guaranteed Time Observing (GTO) programs on the Space Infrared Telescope facility (SIRTF). The IRS GTO programs make use of all three instruments on board SIRTF and cover a wide range of scientific topics including studies of our solar system, circumstellar disks, and ISM, nearby galaxies, ULIRGs, AGN, and objects at high redshift. All 875 hours of the IRS GTO program in the first half of the mission are covered by a one-year proprietary period. The successful applicant will actively participate in the interpretation of the scientific data, benefit from the experience of the IRS instrument team, and join the presentation of results at scientific meetings and their publication in scientific journals.
We are interested in hosting innovative individuals with some background in infrared astronomy, who are independent thinkers and who have a strong desire to contribute to the rich scientific return of SIRTF. A Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or a closely related field on or after January 1st 2000 and prior to the initiation of the fellowship is required. Applications from both observers and theorists with relevant experience are welcome. Fellows will reside at Cornell University, in Ithaca, NY with opportunities to travel to the SIRTF Science Center in Pasadena, CA. Fellows will also have access to all Cornell operated facilities including the Palomar and Arecibo observatories and the Cornell Theory Center, and will benefit from stimulating scientific interactions within the Department of Astronomy. The Cornell Astronomy Department is among the leading astronomy and space science centers in the nation, with 24 faculty members and 36 research associates. Salaries are set by the SIRTF fellowship program at approximately $48,000, with additional benefits for travel, publications, and computing costs.
If this opportunity sounds interesting to you, please send a copy of your vita, research interests and the names of three individuals who are willing to write reference letters to Prof. J. R. Houck, (PI of the Infrared Spectrograph) at the above address. Applications and inquires via email to jrh13@cornell.edu are encouraged. For full consideration applications should be received before 31 October 2002 in order to meet the 8 November 2002 deadline of the SIRTF fellowship program.