Research Support Assistant

Research Support Assistant

Caltech
Job Category: Occasional
Exempt Overtime Eligible: Overtime Eligible
Benefits Eligible: Non-Benefit Based

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Job Summary

IPAC at Caltech has an opening for an occasional Research Support Assistant to work with scientists on studying the nature of massive stellar clumps in galaxies using HST imaging and MaNGA IFU data.

Clumps are prevalent in star-forming galaxies in the early universe, yet the physical mechanisms governing their formation, growth, and survival remain uncertain. Building on the power of citizen science from the Galaxy Zoo: Clump Scout, we have now obtained follow-up high-resolution HST imaging for ~100 nearby galaxies from SDSS that also have existing MaNGA IFU coverage.

The successful applicant will analyze imaging and IFU data, model galaxy spectral energy distributions to measure clump physical properties (stellar masses, ages, and SFRs), and constrain spatially-resolved emission-line diagnostics with integral-field spectroscopy from the SDSS-IV MaNGA survey. These, when compared to theoretical expectations, will provide quantitative constraints on models of clump formation and evolution. This is a 2 month term position.

Essential Job Duties

As an IPAC Research Support Assistant, you will work with scientists Vihang Mehta and Zahra Sattari on tasks related to stellar clumps research:

• Download and process MaNGA IFU data
• Apply deconvolution techniques to the lower resolution MaNGA and SDSS data using the high-resolution HST imaging
• Measure clump photometry as well as spectroscopic features such as emission lines, nebular dust
• Model clump spectral energy distributions
• Compare with theoretical expectations
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications

• High School Diploma
• Some high school/college-level, courses in physics, astronomy, engineering, or related discipline
• Working knowledge of Python
• Knowledge of a computing environment (Mac or PC)
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in working with and programming in Python
• Working knowledge of word processing and data analysis software
• Experience in working with astronomical data and data formats

Required Documents

• Cover letter
• Resume