The South African Astronomical Observatory( SAAO) and the Astronomy Department of the University of Cape Tow (UCT) invite applications for a 3 year joint postdoctoral position related to the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), with a focus on cataclysmic variables, compact binaries or related objects.

We seek an outstanding individual to join the research group let by Professor David Buckley, who is a South Afriican LSST Principal Investigator involved in optical transient follow-up. The candidate should have observational experience, ideally associated with discoveries or follow-up studies from survey data of the above mentioned target objects. The appointee will become a Junior Alliliate on the South African LSST Transient program, involving preparatory work ahead of the main survey, due to start in 2024.

There will be ample opportunites to lead research programs using the range of SAAO optical/IR facilities, inclunding the 10-m SALT, and to collaborate on the various transient and survey follow-up projects, potentially involving other multi-wavelenth facilities (e.g. MeerKAT). Opportunities for involvement in student supervision, teaching and outreach, are also possible, if desired.

Minumum requirements:

• A PhD in astronomy with expertise in accreting binaries
• A good publication record, commensurate with career stage
• Python coding and /or related software development experience

Desirable experience 

• Some familiarity of interest in software associated with the LSST (e.g. Operations Simulators, Metrics Analysis Framework
• Experience with polarimetric observations and interpretation would also be an advantage.

The position will be filled once a viable candidate is indentified and the appointment should be taken up before 31 March 2022. The salary parckage is competitive and funding support will be provided for computing resources and travel.

More information concerning the SAAO and UCT may be found at https://www.saao.ac.za and http://www.ast.uct.ac.za

Informal enquiries may be directed to Professor David Buckley

Applicants should apply on https://ess.nrf.ac.za/Account/Recruitment attachig a cover letter, including a statement outlining their research and broader interests and experience (no more than 3 pages), their CV plus the contact details of 2 potential references, by 09 December 2021. Questions regarding the application can be addressed to SAAO HR Manager, Linda Tobin

The fillig of this position will be in line with the NRF's Employment Equity Policy.

Here's the advert in PDF format