Research Assistant (KSAS-Physics & Astronomy)

The William H. Miller III Department of Physics and Astronomy at Johns Hopkins University, in collaboration with the Post-Starburst Galaxy Group of the Space Telescope Research Institute, seeks a Research Assistant . The Research Assistant will support research that looks for evidence of active supermassive black holes in recently quenched galaxies at cosmic noon. Specifically, they will positionally match galaxy catalogs to archival multiwavelength data (e.g. mid-infrared, X-ray and radio data) in 5 extragalactic deep fields. They will then calculate quantities such as the detection fraction and black hole luminosities and compare to star-forming galaxies as a control sample. Other galaxy properties such as ages, morphologies and gas properties may be explored.

The Research Assistant oversees data collection, data organization, and/or data management or similar functions/tasks for research study(ies) in support of a PI or a research team.

*This is a grant-funded position; continued employment is contingent upon the availability of grant funding. This position will end on September 30, 2027.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

- Run routine and ad hoc reports.
- Use standard tools and computer programs to review data.
- Assist with data cleaning measures to ensure accuracy of data and preparation of tables.
- Lead basic activities such as data collection and data entry.
- May lead specific tasks and develop processes to ensure study activities occur effectively and efficiently.
- May conduct literature searches to support faculty in research efforts.
- May design and format papers/publications.
- May assist PIs in writing summaries of papers for release as policy briefs or other channels.
- Other duties as assigned.

In addition to the duties described above

- Write custom Python code to analyze astronomical data.

Minimum Qualifications

- Bachelor's Degree in a related field.
- Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

- Prior experience with multiwavelength studies of galaxy evolution and active galactic nuclei.
- Prior experience writing Python code.

Technical Skills & Expected Level of Proficiency

- Analytical Skills - Awareness
- Attention to Detail - Awareness
- Data Management and Analysis - Awareness
- Formatting and Layout Proficiency - Awareness
- Information Gathering - Awareness
- Oral and Written Communications - Awareness
- Organizational Skills - Awareness

The core technical skills listed are most essential; additional technical skills may be required based on specific division or department need

Classified Title: Research Assistant 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Research Assistant (KSAS-Physics & Astronomy)   
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/03/CD  
Starting Salary Range: $17.65 - $31.05 HRLY (Commensurate w/exp.) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm 
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt 
Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus  
Department name: Physics and Astronomy   
Personnel area: School of Arts & Sciences