Pulsar Astronomy Postdoctoral Research Opportunity

Contact: dbacker@astro.berkeley.edu
Deadline: 2008 December 31
AAS: listing
The pulsar search program uses the Arecibo Lband Feed Array (PALFA) to find both a large sample of pulsars, and also rare objects that are useful for probing fundamental aspects of neutron star physics and testing theories of gravity and gravitational physics, among other goals. My grant is a collaborative effort with Jim Cordes at Cornell and Fernando Camilo at Columbia that is supported by the NSF. The position involves 50% commitment to working with the PALFA team to conduct the observations, search for new pulsars in the data using supercomputers and followup new pulsars at radio and other wavebands. The Berkeley effort in PALFA has developed and helps maintain a linux cluster, ASP, at Arecibo and associated hardware. We are also developing pulsar observing capability with the Allen Telescope Array (ATA) in collaboration with the Center for Astronomical Signal Processing and Engineering Research (CASPER) group. Candidates with strong skills in signal processing and computing are welcome.

Required application materials include a CV, bibliography, and statement of research interests and plans. Please submit applications by 2008 December 31. Three letters of reference should be emailed to dbacker@astro.berkeley.edu by the same date. The applicant's full name should be included in the subject line of the email containing the letter of reference.

The University of California, Berkeley is committed to affirmative action by actively recruiting diverse candidates, including women and minorities: Affirmative Action Employer/Equal Opportunity Employer.