Observational and Theoretical Studies of Dusty Disks and Highly Collimated Mass-Ejections in Old and Young Stars
(Job 09013)
The focus of this program is to understand the ejection of matter in young and dying stars, much of which commonly occurs via high-speed jets, the properties and formation of dusty disks from where these jets are launched, and the presence of binary companions that may be responsible for producing these disks. Dr. Raghvendra Sahai, Principal Research Scientist, in JPL’s section 3262 will serve as JPL postdoctoral advisor to the selected candidate. The appointee will be guided by the JPL advisor to ensure that the research work will result in publications in the open literature.
Candidates should have a recent PhD in Astronomy or Astrophysics with a strong background in the study of circumstellar matter, around dying stars or young stars (or both). The selected candidate will carry out studies on these topics related to Dr. Sahai’s extensive research program. Experience in at least one of the following areas – analysis/modeling of data from one or more space-based observatories (e.g. HST, Spitzer, Chandra, GALEX), interferometry (at near/mid-IR, mm or radio wavelengths), or computational astrophysics (numerical hydrodynamics utilizing codes such as FLASH) is highly desirable.
The deadline for applications is May 31, 2009. An appointment will be made as soon as a suitable candidate is found, and there is a strong preference for the latter to begin work very soon after his/her appointment.
Please send a letter describing your research interests, a curriculum vitae, and a list of three references (with telephone numbers, postal and email address) to:
Dr. Raghvendra Sahai
JPL, MS 183-900
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, CA 91109
818-354-0452
sahai@jpl.nasa.gov
Date Posted: 4/9/2009
