About this position
- We invite applications for recent or soon-to-be Ph.D. graduates for
- postdoctoral fellowships to work on the Via Project. We expect to have
- 1-2 positions available. The position(s) will offer the opportunity to
- conduct an innovative and independent research program in any area of
- astrophysics enabled by Via Survey, expected to start operations in
- 2027-28. The Via Survey is a forthcoming spectroscopic survey designed
- to achieve 100 m/s radial velocity stability for millions of faint
- stars across the full sky while reaching LSST’s single visit depth for
- transient spectroscopy, opening a new observational regime at the
- intersection of dark matter physics, galaxy formation, and time-domain
- astrophysics.
- Applicants will have the opportunity to take up the position at one or
- more Via partner institutions: Carnegie Observatories (Pasadena, CA),
- Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (Cambridge, MA), Stanford
- University (Palo Alto, CA), or Yale University (New Haven, CT). The
- location(s) of the fellowship will be negotiated with the individual
- applicant.
- Via Fellows will be members of the Via Collaboration with access to
- Via data, and will have the opportunity to work on any of the core
- science pillars: stellar streams, dwarf galaxies, cold gas, or
- transient astronomy, or on any other ancillary science topic enabled
- by Via data, and will have the opportunity to contribute to Via
- commissioning, observations, and data analysis. The Via Project and
- Via Survey are described in the Via Science Book.
- The Via Fellowship will have a term of up to four years, preferably
- split equally between two Via Partner Institutions. Fellows will be
- encouraged to collaborate broadly with Via core team members at
- multiple institutions.
- The position offers excellent salary and benefits, and will provide
- support for observing, travel, computing and publications. The
- observing and computational facilities at each host institution will
- be accessible for the entire duration of the position.
Further information on the host institutions is available at
carnegiescience.edu/obs
cfa.harvard.edu
kipac.stanford.edu
astro.yale.edu
- Candidates should have a recent Ph.D. in astronomy or physics
- (generally granted between 2024-2027) or expect to receive the degree
- prior to starting their appointment.
- Candidates should provide a curriculum vitae including a publication
- list, a 3-page statement of research interests and plans, including
- plans for engaging with the Via Project, and arrange to have at least
- three letters of recommendation submitted to the same site. The
- application form requests information about which host institutions
- the applicant will consider. We encourage applicants to provide any
- further information about their preferred host institutions in the
- cover letter. In general, we encourage applicants to follow the
- structure of the AAS advice on the contents of CVs and research
- statements:
- https://jobregister.aas.org/postdoc-application-guidelines. ;
- The deadline for applications and letters of recommendation is Friday,
- December 11, 2026 (by midnight Eastern Time). Late applications may be
- considered at the discretion of the search committee.
How to apply
- Read the full advert on the source site — it carries the authoritative terms.
- Prepare your SOP, CV, transcripts and referees before the deadline.
- Apply through the university's own portal. Never pay a fee to a third party.