Research Support Assistant

WorkplacePasadena - California - USA
Category
Position
Published
Research Support Assistant Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world’s brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions.

We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

The NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI) is seeking a research assistant to work on determining which component of a binary-star system a planet is orbiting using multi-color transit photometry.

The successful applicant will model exoplanet light curves, and this analysis will guide the selection of Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) targets for which Palomar/WIRC photometry could be obtained.

This is nominally a 3-month position. Caltech is an award-winning workplace and one of the best places to work in the greater Los Angeles area. Exceptional employees are critical to Caltech-s success. IPAC, part of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy Division at Caltech ( ?url=www.caltech.edu&module=jobs&id=3220514" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=www.caltech.edu&module=jobs&id=3220514" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.caltech.edu ), provides science operations, user support, data and archive services, and scientific vision to maximize discovery with observatories both in space and on the ground.

For more information and activities, please visit IPAC website ( ?url=https%3A%2F%2Fipac.caltech.edu&module=jobs&id=3220514" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=https%3A%2F%2Fipac.caltech.edu&module=jobs&id=3220514" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://ipac.caltech.edu ).

Essential Job Duties

As an IPAC Research Support Assistant, you will work with scientists David Ciardi and Catherine Clark on tasks related to planets in multi-star systems: Probabilistically model photometric time series data of exoplanets.

Download and process time series data from the TESS archive into photometric light curves. Identify systems where Palomar/WIRC measurements could be made.

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

Experienced in working with and programming in Python. Working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet (e.g., Excel) software.

Required Documents

Resume. Cover Letter. Application Deadline: April 6, 2026.
Apply online
In your application, please refer to myScience.org and reference JobID 3220514.


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