- Postdoc in CMB science with Simons Observatory at Sussex, 22 Apr 2026
- BICEP 2027 winter-overs, until filled
- South Pole 2027 winter-overs, until filled
Postdoc in CMB science with Simons Observatory at Sussex, 22 Apr 2026
Work on Simons Observatory (SO) related theory and data analysis, especially CMB lensing, power spectra, likelihoods and parameters, or related topics. You will work with a small team locally lead by Antony Lewis as well as the wider SO collaboration, while also having some time to drive your own research directions.
The BICEP winter-over scientists will start work in fall 2026 and deploy to the South Pole via New Zealand in late October or early November. They will remain at the South Pole through the Antarctic winter, until November 2027. Once the austral summer team leaves the site in February 2027, the two-person winter-over team is responsible for maintaining and operating the BICEP telescopes while science data is being recorded.
The BICEP3 and BICEP Array telescopes represent an investment of approximately $30 million and 50-person years of effort by a collaboration of more than 30 people. The team plans carefully for every eventuality and many spare parts are kept on site. Nevertheless, the possibility for failure due to human error exists and has occurred in the past. Poor judgment or decision-making could result in the experiment being interrupted for the remainder of the winter season, resulting in major implied costs and loss of scientific competitiveness. The winter-over scientists will receive considerable support and guidance via internet and satellite telephone communications. Nevertheless, these roles requires exceptionally stable individuals who are self-motivated and able to communicate and take direction well.
South Pole 2027 winter-overs, until filled
The SPT-3G experiment on the 10-meter South Pole Telescope (SPT) is seeking two winter-over scientists for the 2027 Austral winter season. The SPT Winter-Over will be a member of a two-person crew located at the NSF Amundsen-Scott South Pole research station in Antarctica. The crew will be responsible for the hands-on maintenance and operation of the SPT telescope and SPT-3G camera, which has 16,000 transition edge sensor (TES) bolometers with frequency bands at 95, 150, and 220 GHz. The winterover team will participate in the preliminarily analysis of SPT-3G data, including on-site map-making and astronomical transient detection alerts, participate in coordinated world-wide observations with the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) receiver on the SPT, and will be an integral member of the SPT collaboration.
A continuous stay at the South Pole, lasting approximately eleven months, is required. The candidates will be members of a small community at the South Pole Station that will be isolated for eight months. During this time, community members participate in a wide range of activities including fire or trauma team, kitchen tasks, general cleaning, and station opening and closing duties. The candidates need to be physically qualified to work at polar and high altitude sites for roughly one year. The successful candidates will attend the NSF contractor orientation program and will be expected to pass physical and psychological evaluations required by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Polar Programs.