Post-Baccalaureate Researcher

Applications are now being accepted for a one-year post-baccalaureate research position with Dr. McKinley Brumback, assistant professor of physics at Middlebury College in Middlebury, VT. This is a one-year, full-time position working on-campus at Middlebury College for 40 hours/week. Salary and benefits are competitive. The desired start date is in the range from June - August 2024, with an employment term of one year and the review process for applications will begin early May.

To apply, applicants should submit the following items:

• a resume or CV that includes grades in relevant courses
• a Cover Letter that includes a research statement discussing the applicant’s reasons for applying, their relevant prior course or research experiences, and their future goals (no longer than 3 pages)
• three letters of reference.
  

This is a full part time, benefits eligible, hourly position with hiring range of $17.60-$19.23 per hour.

Core Responsibilities:

• The post-bac will complete a research project involving X-ray spectroscopic and timing studies of accreting neutron stars. This will involve using a combination of X-ray reduction software (HEASoft), Python, and shell scripting to reduce and analyze data. The exact topic will be determined after discussion with Prof. Brumback, but will involve studying the geometry and kinematics of infalling gas as it interacts with a neutron star’s strong magnetic field.
• The post-bac will be an active member of the Brumback research group and will assist Middlebury student researchers with their projects. The post-bac could also contribute to activities that will grow the astrophysics presence at Middlebury, such as journal clubs or discussion groups.
• The post-bac will assist in creating documentation on X-ray data analysis techniques for use by future Middlebury students.

Middlebury College is an equal-opportunity employer where diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values. To this end, the College recruits talented and diverse faculty, staff, and students from across the United States and around the world. Middlebury College encourages applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, and members of other protected classes and historically underrepresented communities. The College also invites applications from individuals who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Requirements

• Candidates should be soon or recent graduates with a bachelor’s degree in astronomy, physics, computer science, or a related science or engineering discipline.
• We encourage applicants who are considering applying to a graduate program in the near future, and who wish to expand their research experience in the interim to also apply.
• The successful candidate may have already completed some coursework in astronomy or astrophysics, prior astronomy research experience, and/or experience in scientific programming (Python) and familiarity with Unix-like computer systems.
• Prior knowledge of high energy astrophysics and accreting neutron stars is not required.

Other:

Offer is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.

Benefits

As an employee of Middlebury College, you will enjoy being part of a vibrant supportive community. Middlebury Colleges offers its employees excellent compensation and competitive health, dental, life, disability, generous retirement matching, and vision benefits, Middlebury offers a generous time-away program - up to 34 days per year during the first two years of service, increasing as the term of service lengthens. Middlebury employees are eligible for robust educational assistance programs as well as free or reduced rates for cultural events and use of sporting facilities (including the College's golf course and Nordic and alpine ski area). The result is a very high quality-of-life in a gorgeous setting. Middlebury Colleges offers its employees excellent compensation and other perks of employment including:

• MiddCard Privileges: access to athletic facilities, discounts at the College store, library privileges, and discounts at cultural and sporting events. In addition, the card allows door access to certain campus buildings. Spouses or domestic partners of benefits-eligible employees are eligible to receive a Spouse/Partner card with the same privileges as the employee card (except door access).
• Discounts on season passes at Middlebury College Snow Bowl, the Ralph Myhre Golf Course and the Rikert Outdoor Center.
• Access to our Partner Inclusion Program that provides comprehensive support services to the spouses and partners of Middlebury employees.
• A full listing of our benefit offerings can be found on our website by following this web link: https://go.middlebury.edu/benefits
• Or click see some of the other fun perks of working at Middlebury, whether in Vermont or Monterey!