SAO Predoctoral Fellowships

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) announces the availability of predoctoral fellowships which may begin as early as July of each year. Fellowships are designed to allow students from other institutions throughout the world to do all or part of their thesis research at SAO. A wide variety of research projects may be proposed, with nearly 350 scientific staff available as research advisors, drawing from the six research divisions at the Center for Astrophysics (CfA): Atomic and Molecular Physics, High Energy Astrophysics, Optical and Infrared Astronomy, Radio and Geoastronomy, Solar, Stellar and Planetary Sciences, and Theoretical Astrophysics. Research programs at the CfA include instrumentation, observation, and theory in atomic and molecular physics, geo-physics, the solar system, stars, galaxies, and cosmology. Techniques used range from computer simulations through obser-vations in the radio, infrared, optical, ultraviolet, X and gamma-ray bands, to instrument development and laboratory experiments. Facilities include the MMT, Magellan, and other optical and infrared telescopes; radio telescopes, especially the Submillimeter Array on Mauna Kea, Hawaii; a large Beowulf cluster and network of workstations; a number of specialized laboratories; an outstanding library system; and access to data from a wide range of space missions, especially the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Spitzer Space Telescope. Applicants should directly contact any Smithsonian scientist in her/his area of interest to discuss possible research topics (a full list of potential advisors is listed at http://www.si.edu/ofg/Units/sorssao.htm). A partial list of available predoctoral project openings is available at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/opportunities/fellowships/predoc/researchers.html. Applicants must have completed preliminary coursework and examination and be ready to begin dissertation research at the time of the award. Applicants’ degrees will be awarded by their home institutions; therefore, they must have the approval of their department head to conduct their thesis research at SAO.

Program Website: http://www.cfa-www.harvard.edu/opportunities/fellowships/predoc/