Research Associate in Astronomy

The University of Virginia (UVA) invites applications for Postdoctoral Research Associate positions as part of multiple initiatives including the Galaxy Evolution and COsmology (GECO) Initiative and the NSF-Simons AI Institute for Cosmic Origins ( CosmicAI) .

Given the overlap in research themes between the GECO and CosmicAI Fellowships, applicants are encouraged to apply via this single ad if their expertise aligns with either program, or both.

GECO Fellows will lead ambitious, independent research programs related to galaxy evolution and cosmology, expected to align with the wide range of research at UVA. The relevant themes include, but are not limited to, resolved stellar populations, explosive nucleosynthesis in supernovae and transients, cosmic black hole evolution, near-field cosmology, the dark universe, and galaxy formation and evolution, from both theoretical and observational perspectives.

CosmicAI Fellows will join the Explainable Universe Working Group, an interdisciplinary team advancing the application of explainable AI methods for cosmology. Fellows will work at the interface between observations and simulations, developing tools to extract cosmological insights through simulation-based inference. We particularly welcome applicants with expertise in observational near-field cosmology who are eager to build and apply inference models that bridge theory and data.

Postdoctoral Fellows will have access to the Astronomy Department’s telescope resources, including the 2 x 8.4m Large Binocular Telescope, the 6.5m MMT, the 2 x 6.5m Magellan telescopes, the Astrophysical Research Consortium telescopes at Apache Point Observatory, as well as UVA’s high-performance research computing facilities. The Department is a partner in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, and the LSST Discovery Alliance. The UVA astronomy faculty have strong research ties to the scientific staff at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), which is located on the grounds of the University. Fellows will thus be part of a vibrant community of scientists from both UVA and NRAO.

Postdoctoral Fellows will participate in departmental activities, mentorship of students, and promote wider collaboration. All positions are initially one-year appointments, with renewal for an additional two one-year increments, contingent upon satisfactory performance. A competitive salary and benefits package is offered at UVA. For more information on the benefits available to postdoctoral associates at UVA, visit https://postdoc.virginia.edu and http://hr.virginia.edu/benefits. This position also includes a research budget to be used to support equipment purchases, travel, networking and collaboration opportunities.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Applicants are required to have a Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or a related field, by the appointment start date.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Apply online at https://jobs.virginia.edu/us and attach a single PDF document including a cover letter; curriculum vitae; list of publications; and research statement of no more than three pages (including figures and references) describing the applicant’s past work, proposed research program, and potential synergies with the GECO or CosmicAI themes listed above. Please list whether you are interested in GECO, CosmicAI, or both, in the cover letter.

Applicants should also arrange for 3 letters of recommendation to be uploaded directly to https://virginia.app.box.com/f/f43785050e0d44ed853c54c0799b9086 with the file name format “CandidateLastName_ReferenceLastName.pdf”.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin on December 15, 2025, but the position will remain open until filled.

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

Questions regarding these positions can be directed to Nitya Kallivayalil ( njk3r@virginia.edu ), Paul Torrey (ygn5rz@virginia.edu), and Aaron Evans ( ae3f@virginia.edu ).

For questions about the application process, please contact Richard Haverstrom, Academic Recruiter, at rkh6j@virginia.edu .

For more information on the benefits available to Research Scientists at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits .

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.