Archived Job Ad

Early Universe: PAPER Experiment - University of California, Berkeley

No. 25194
Position/Title: Early Universe: PAPER Experiment
Institution: University of California, Berkeley

Submit Resumes To:
Attention: Donald Backer, Professor
Radio Astronomy Laboratory
601 Campbell Hall
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-3411
USA

Tel: 510-642-5275
FAX: 510-642-3411

URL1: http://astro.berkeley.edu
(Astronomy Department)
URL2: http://ral.berkeley.edu
(Radio Astronomy Laboratory)
URL3: http://astro.berkeley.edu/~dbacker/eor
(PAPER Experiment)

Email Submission Address: dbacker@astro.berkeley.edu
Email Inquiries: dbacker@astro.berkeley.edu

The closing date for receipt of applications: 12/31/2008 (Application date has passed)

Job Description:

We are building the Precision Array to Probe the Epoch of Reionization (PAPER) to detect the power spectrum of 21cm emission structures in the early Universe when the first stars were forming (6 < z < 15). The Array consists of high-gain dipoles distributed over a square kilometer. Images are made of the full sky. Calibration challenges us, as well as those with parallel efforts around the globe. The PAPER team has major partner at NRAO/UVA in Charlottesville, VA and members at Penn and NRAO, Socorro. We have a valuable test Array at the NRAO, Green Bank site (PGB) with 16 dipoles. We deployed a 4-dipole array in the outback of Western Australia in 2007 July (PWA). We plan major campaigns with PWA during the season when the cold synchrotron sky is overhead at night (no sun!); in 2009 we will deploy a 64-dipole array and integrate for several months. We face many challenges in pushing imaging from our ~1 Kelvin limit down to mK level in the years ahead. Candidates need strong skills in computation and radio interferometry along with willingness to travel and work in remote site conditions.

Required application materials include a CV, bibliography, and statement of research interests and plans. Please submit applications by 2008 December 31. Three letters of reference should be emailed to dbacker@astro.berkeley.edu by the same date.

The University of California, Berkeley is committed to affirmative action by actively recruiting diverse candidates, including women and minorities: Affirmative Action Employer/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Archived Job Ad