A postdoctoral position is available at the University of California, Berkeley for an individual who can lead an effort in real-time classification of astronomical time-series data for the purpose of extraction of novel science. The project is sponsored by a new Cyber-enabled Discovery and Innovation (CDI) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF; http://128.150.4.107/awardsearch/showAward.do?AwardNumber=0941742 ).

The main goal of this project it to produce a framework (including new theoretical/algorithmic constructs) for extracting novel science from large amounts of data in an environment where the computational needs vastly outweigh the available facilities, and intelligent (as well as dynamic) resource allocation is required. This work will draw from current research in statistics, database engineering, computational science, time-domain astronomy, and machine learning and is expected to lead to applications beyond astronomy. The collaboration has access to proprietary astronomical datasets. We hope to build a system eventually capable of ingesting, assimilating, and creating “new knowledge” from massive data streams expected from new projects, such as the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope. The collaboration also has access to large-scale computing facilities through the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) at Berkeley, at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), and and through cloud computing time donated by industry partners.

This work will be directed by Prof. Joshua Bloom in the Astronomy Department but the position calls for strong interactions with other senior members of the collaboration in other departments (Martin Wainwright, EECS and Statistics; Nourredine El Kouroui, Statistics; John Rice, Statistics; Massoud Nikravesh, CITRIS; Peter Nugent, LBNL; Horst Simon, LBNL). Experience and a demonstrated interest working with graduate students across these disciplines is also encouraged.

Minimum qualifications include a Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Statistics, Astronomy or closely related field is required. The strongest candidates will have demonstrated success in conducting original research in statistics and/or machine learning and should have a deep understanding and/or interest in topics of time-domain Astronomy. Work will commence no later than 1 August 2010. The appointment may start on an earlier date, if mutually convenient (funding is already available to start as early as Spring 2010). The initial appointment is for two years, with renewal expected if progress is satisfactory and funds continue to be available. The starting salary will be commensurate with experience, and competitive with other postdoctoral positions. Please e-mail a short research statement, resume, list of publications, and copies of two recent publications (preprints or reprints) so that they arrive by the 1 February 2010 deadline to Prof. Joshua Bloom, at the above address. To receive full consideration, applicants should arrange to have letters of references from three individuals sent to Prof. Bloom by the 1 February 2010 due date (letters may also be emailed directly by the referees). Immigration status of non-citizens should be stated in the resume.

Scientific Programmer for the Kepler Mission

[ From Research Inst. for Advanced Computer Science ]

RIACS is seeking scientists/engineers to help develop the Science Operations Center for the Kepler Mission at NASA Ames Research Center. Kepler is slated for launch in 2009 to search for Earth-sized planets transiting solar-like stars. The individual will work with other scientists and engineers to implement algorithms to be used in processing the science data and for monitoring the performance of the instrument. For more information about the mission, go to http://www.kepler.arc.nasa.gov.

The successful candidate must possess a strong background in numerical analysis and modeling, reducing/analyzing astronomical data sets, preferably with experience in differential photometry, CCD imaging, and time series analysis. Experience developing algorithms in MATLAB and some experience with Object Oriented design methodologies is required. A background including stochastic signal processing and/or experience with Java is a plus.

Education: A MS plus 5 years experience, in Astronomy, Physics,Computer Science, Mathematics, or related field is required. A Ph.D. is a plus.

Tasks include implementing, refining, testing, and documenting the algorithms for science analysis and non-science support analysis. Kepler science analysis tasks include aperture photometry and difference image analysis photometry, systematic noise removal from flux time series, and planet candidate validation. Supporting analysis tasks include target selection, photometer characterization, and modeling the instrument to understand performance bounds as well as to
generate test data for system integration and testing.

Tom also mentioned that there is a nearly-identical job posting online at the SETI institute: http://www.seti.org/about-us/jobs/sci-programmer-for-kepler.php