Hiring: Research Assistant for Supernova Cosmology

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The Center for Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics (CASSA) is seeking a highly motivated and talented post-baccalaureate student to join our research team as a Research Assistant (RA). This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in supernova cosmology, focusing on the expansion history of the Universe, dark energy, and the Hubble-Lemaître constant ($H_0$) tension.

Position Overview

  • Role: Research Assistant (Post-Baccalaureate)
  • Supervisor: Dr. Syed Ashraf Uddin (Associate Professor, Core Member, CASSA, IUB)
  • Duration: 8 Months (February 2026 – September 2026)
  • Remuneration: 30,000 BDT per month

Research Context

Type Ia Supernovae (SNe Ia) are critical “standardizable candles” used to measure cosmic expansion. While they led to the discovery of cosmic acceleration and the existence of dark energy, recent analyses have sparked debates regarding the nature of dark energy. Furthermore, a significant $5\sigma$ mismatch exists between measurements of $H_0$ from the early and late Universe. This research position aims to address these fundamental issues through astrophysical systematics.

Key Projects & Responsibilities

The successful candidate will work on one or more of the following studies:

  1. Host Galaxy Correlation: Investigating the effect of host galaxy age on the luminosity of SNe Ia.
  2. Local Environment Analysis: Analyzing the impact of the local environment on SN Ia luminosity.
  3. Calibration Comparisons: Comparing SN Ia luminosity calibration across various light-curve fitters.
  4. Standard Candle Improvement: Improving SN Ia standardization through the analysis of host galaxy spectra.
  5. Pipeline Development: Building a robust computational pipeline for the spectral analysis of SNe Ia.

Requirements

  • A recently completed Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics, Computer Science or a related field.
  • Strong interest in Cosmology and Astrophysics.
  • Proficiency in programming (Python is highly preferred) and data analysis.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research group.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Application Process

Interested candidates must complete the official application via the Google Form linked below. Please ensure you have your Cover Letter, CV, and Academic Transcripts ready to upload as part of the form submission.

Contact Information: For inquiries, please email Dr. SA Uddin: [email protected].

CASSA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from diverse backgrounds.