Postdoctoral Scholar in Intensity Interferometry

Carnegie Science invites applications for a postdoctoral scholar to work with Nick Konidaris on the Sephira Intensity Interferometer Array. Sephira is a new telescope and intensity-interferometry array being built at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. Sephira will be used as a testbed; our initial science goals include studying binary stars.

We are looking for a scientist-builder who wants to help define what intensity interferometry can become. Relevant experience or interests may include optical instrumentation, SPAD arrays and photon-counting detectors, digital correlation, signal processing, image reconstruction, or astronomical applications of intensity interferometry.

Prior experience with intensity interferometry is not required. The successful candidate will have substantial freedom to pursue fundamental research involving the hardware, software, methodology, or scientific uses of intensity interferometry. Our team is small right now, giving the postdoctoral scholar opportunities to develop new capabilities and take ownership of major parts of the effort.

Our team is also working on new infrared spectrographs (Henrietta and MIRMOS), and we welcome ways to couple those instruments to the Sephira array. Start Date/Duration We prefer to start as soon as possible. We anticipate conducting a separate search for an additional postdoctoral scholar beginning in early 2027. The position includes two years of guaranteed funding, with the possibility of renewal for a third year.

Research Environment The postdoctoral scholar will have access to a broad range of Carnegie resources, including the Swope and Magellan telescopes, SDSS-V data and collaborations, high-performance computing, and a dedicated research budget. The scholar may also spend substantial time at the Weizmann Institute and participate fully in the research community there.

Applicants should hold, or expect to receive before beginning the appointment, a Ph.D. in astrophysics, physics, engineering, or a closely related field.

Intensity interferometry remains a specialized field, and we do not expect every applicant to arrive with all of the relevant skills. We welcome applicants entering from adjacent areas of astronomy, physics, engineering, computation, or instrumentation. Candidates making such a transition should use their cover letter to explain what draws them to the field and how their existing experience could contribute to the project.

Please submit: A cover letter A statement of research interests A curriculum vitae The names and email addresses of potential references References will be contacted only after an initial review of the application materials.