The National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) in Tucson, Arizona, invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in high redshift galaxy evolution, working with Mark Dickinson and his colleagues.  The research focus will be the analysis and interpretation of far-infrared observations of the CANDELS fields that will be obtained with the Herschel Space Observatory as part of a new, large Herschel OT2 observing program. 

CANDELS (Cosmic Assembly and Dark Energy Legacy Survey), http://candels.ucolick.org/ is an ongoing program to collect HST near-infrared and optical imaging of five premier multiwavelength deep fields to study galaxy formation and evolution at high redshift.  The Herschel program will obtain new, extremely deep imaging with the PACS and SPIRE instruments at 100 to 500 microns for the CANDELS COSMOS and UDS fields, to augment existing data for the two GOODS fields already obtained as part of the GOODS-Herschel survey (D. Elbaz and M. Dickinson PIs).

The successful applicant will assist with data reduction, source cataloging, and scientific analysis of the Herschel data, collaborating with members of the CANDELS-Herschel team in Tucson, Arizona and internationally.  Major areas of research interest for this project include the nature and evolution of dust-obscured star formation and AGN activity at high redshift and the far-infrared background.  The postdoc may also participate in, or initiate, new follow-up observing programs with ground and space-based facilities including ALMA.  Previous experience with Herschel PACS or SPIRE data reduction, with deep Spitzer data, and/or in making source catalogs for crowded deep-field data, would be valuable but is not required. 

The Herschel observations will be obtained in 2012 and early 2013.  The successful applicant could begin working as soon as March 2012 in order to participate fully in the Herschel data-taking, reduction, and early science exploitation.   Applicants who could start work in the March to June time frame will be given special consideration, although this is not a requirement for the position.

The initial appointment will be for one year, with likely extension for up to three years contingent on performance and continued funding. Applicants must hold a PhD in astronomy, physics, or a related field before beginning employment.

Applicants should submit a CV, list of publications, and a statement of research interests and relevant technical experience online at https://rn11.ultipro.com/spa1004B/JobBoard/ListJobs.aspx?__vt=ExtCan by January 31, 2012, also arrange for three letters of professional reference to be sent to e-mail hrnoao@noao.edu, reference your name in the subject line.