The Space Telescope Science Institute invites applications for two research fellowship positions:
2020 Lasker Fellowship
The Barry M. Lasker Data Science Postdoctoral Fellowship is an STScI-funded program designed to provide up to 3 years of support for outstanding postdoctoral researchers working on innovative astronomical studies involving the use or creation of one or more of the following: large astronomical databases, massive data processing, data visualization and discovery tools, and machine-learning algorithms. Lasker Data Science fellowship recipients are encouraged to explore interdisciplinary approaches to addressing the opportunities provided in the “Big Data” era of astronomy and to take significant advantage of the archived datasets held (or planned for ingest) at STScI, including HST, GALEX, Kepler/K2, PanSTARRS, TESS, JWST, and WFIRST.

The fellowship is named in honor of STScI astronomer Barry M. Lasker (1939 – 1999) who led the creation and development of the HST Guide Star Catalog (GSC) and the Digitized Sky Survey (DSS) archive. The GSC and DSS data products have been crucial to the operation of the Hubble Space Telescope and influential in all fields of astronomy. The GSC-2 team, led by Lasker, produced the largest astronomical catalog at the time of its release, containing information for nearly 1 billion objects.

2020 Giacconi Fellowship
The Giacconi Fellowship, named in honor of the first director of STScI and Nobel Prize winner Riccardo Giacconi, provides up to three years of support for outstanding postdoctoral researchers in any field of astronomy, astrophysics, or planetary science. The research may be theoretical, observational, or instrumental.

Both fellowships include an annual salary of approximately $65,550, generous benefits, including some support for relocation, and $16,000 per year to cover research expenses. The selection will be based on the accomplishments and proposed research of the applicants. There are no restrictions on the date of PhD degree. The duration of each fellowship is up to three years: an initial one-year appointment and two annual renewals contingent on satisfactory performance and the availability of funds. Fellows are resident at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore.

For each fellowship, applications must include a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a summary of previous and current research (limited to 3 pages), and a description of the proposed research to be carried out at STScI (also limited to 3 pages text plus up to 2 pages for figures/references). These documents must be prepared as pdf files. Applicants must also arrange for the provision of three reference letters.

The STScI on-line application portal will be activated on September 13, 2019. Applications received by Friday November 8, 2019, will receive full consideration. Letters of reference will be requested upon receipt of a complete application and are due no later than Tuesday November 19, 2019. Applicants should contact their letter writers separately, since applications will be given full consideration only when all reference letters have been received.

DIRECT LINK TO APPLY: https://stsci.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/51566

The diversity of the STScI staff enhances the dynamic and collegial atmosphere of our scientific community, and reflects our commitment to inclusivity in the broadest sense. Accordingly, women, minorities, veterans, and disabled individuals are strongly encouraged to apply for these positions.

As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, STScI does not discriminate because of race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, or mental or physical handicap. Veterans, disabled or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process can contact us at careers@stsci.edu.