The University of Virginia (UVA) invites applications for Postdoctoral Research Associate positions as part of the interdisciplinary Virginia Initiative on Cosmic Origins (VICO).

VICO Postdoctoral Research Associates will lead ambitious, independent research programs related to Cosmic Origins science, expected to align with the wide range of research at UVA, as well as at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) on the grounds of the University. The relevant themes include galaxy formation and evolution, star formation, planet formation and evolution, planetary science, exoplanetary science, astrochemistry and astrobiology, from both theoretical and observational perspectives. See www.cosmicorigins.space for more information.

The Postdoctoral Research Associates will participate in departmental activities and promote collaboration both within VICO and with its partner institutes, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden and the Center for Astrochemical Studies at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE), Garching, Germany.

There are two types of research programs being advertised: (1) Virginia Cosmic Origins Program; (2) Virginia-Chalmers Cosmic Origins Program. Applicants should indicate in their cover letter if they have preferences among these research programs.

All positions will start at UVA and are initially a one-year appointment, with renewal for an additional two one-year increments for the Virginia position, contingent upon satisfactory performance and available funding, and an additional three one-year increments for the Virginia-Chalmers position, contingent upon satisfactory performance and available funding (Years 3 and 4 would be at Chalmers).

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Applicants are required to have a Ph.D. in astrophysics, astrochemistry, astrobiology or related disciplines by the appointment start date.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Apply online at  https://uva.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UVAJobs/job/Charlottesville-VA/Research-Associate-in-Astronomy_R0053160 . Attach as a single PDF document: a cover letter; curriculum vitae; list of publications; summary of previous and current research (limited to 3 pages, including references); research proposal (limited to 3 pages text plus up to 2 pages of references/figures).

Applicants should also arrange for 3 letters of recommendation to be uploaded directly to https://virginia.app.box.com/f/e8b6f7df79394cafbdd146d7dcf6ca17 with the file name format “CandidateLastName_ReferenceLastName.pdf”.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin on December 15, 2023 and will accept applications until December 31, 2023. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Ilse Cleeves (lic3f@virginia.edu ). Additional points of contact for the VICO research program offerings are: Eric Herbst (eh2ef@virginia.edu ), Rob Garrod (rg5qp@virginia.edu ), Zhi-Yun Li (zl4h@virginia.edu ), Jonathan Tan (jct6e@virginia.edu ), Yifan Zhou (yzhou@virginia.edu ), and Cathy Dukes (cdukes@virginia.edu ).

A competitive salary and benefits package is offered at University of Virginia. For more information on the benefits available to postdoctoral associates at UVA, visit https://postdoc.virginia.edu and http://hr.virginia.edu/benefits . The positions also include travel funds and opportunities for dissemination, networking, and international collaboration.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library,are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.