Hiring: Three Undergraduate Research Assistants (2026)

The Center for Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics (CASSA) is recruiting three Undergraduate Research Assistants (UGRAs) — one under each of three supervisors — for a six-month term tentatively starting 15 September 2026. These are part-time positions — UGRA positions at CASSA are always part-time, so they can be held alongside a full course load. Each UGRA works under their supervisor to complete a research project and contribute toward publications, holding the official title “ARC Undergraduate Research Assistant.”

The “ARC” in the title stands for Accelerating Research at CASSA — CASSA’s umbrella of member-led research programs funded by research grants rather than the CASSA Annual Budget; positions paid from an ARC fund carry the ARC title. These three positions are funded by the 2026 Sponsored Research Grant (SRG) of Dr Khan Muhammad Bin Asad, which supports ARC-SCOPE (Science through Cosmic Processes and Evolution) — one of the five inaugural ARC proposals CASSA submitted to IUB’s annual SRG cycle in January 2026, bridging theoretical simulations with radio instrumentation: the assembly of massive elliptical galaxies, the influence of a variable initial mass function on star formation, AI-driven classification of radio galaxies, and the detection of faint cosmic signals with radio telescopes. Dr Asad is the grant’s Principal Investigator, and the two other supervisors of this call — Dr Syeda Lammim Ahad and Dr Tabassum Shahriar Tanvir — are among its External Co-Investigators; it is the same grant that funds the Beatrice Tinsley Postbac Research Assistantship.

A student applies to one supervisor only — choose the one whose project fits your background and interests, and note that only one application per email address is allowed. Click a supervisor’s name below to see their full profile.

The three positions

UGRA (Asad)

The UGRA under Dr Khan Muhammad Bin Asad will work with the other members of his research group to develop software and pipelines for research, teaching and outreach using Claude Code. Publishing each piece of work as part of the group is also very important. Example pipelines include an annotation tool for machine learning, a learning management system, radio and X-ray astronomy data-processing pipelines, and cosmological simulation pipelines.

Additional eligibility: extensive experience in developing advanced scientific software using Claude Code.

UGRA (Ahad)

Project: Tracing the Two-Phase Growth of Massive Galaxies in Galaxy Clusters

This is a computational astrophysics project with Dr Syeda Lammim Ahad that uses cosmological hydrodynamic simulations to study the growth of massive galaxies in galaxy clusters. The position is open to motivated undergraduate students with an interest in astrophysics, cosmology, galaxy evolution, or computational/data-intensive research; prior experience with Python, scientific programming, or simulation data analysis is desirable but not required. The project is suitable for a student interested in developing research skills in galaxy formation, numerical simulations, data analysis, and scientific writing, with the possibility of contributing to a peer-reviewed publication.

UGRA (Tanvir)

Project: Impact of a Variable Initial Mass Function on Giant Molecular Cloud Lifecycles and Galaxy-Scale Star Formation

This is a computational astrophysics project with Dr Tabassum Shahriar Tanvir on the stellar initial mass function (IMF) — a cornerstone of star formation and galaxy evolution whose possible variation with local environmental conditions (density, turbulence, metallicity, feedback strength) remains underexplored in large-scale models. The project develops self-consistent sub-grid prescriptions for an environmentally dependent, variable IMF within high-resolution simulations of isolated giant molecular clouds (GMCs) and galaxy-scale systems, letting the stellar mass distribution respond dynamically to evolving cloud properties and feedback. By applying these models to isolated GMCs and full galactic discs, the UGRA will help quantify how a variable IMF alters the lifecycle and dispersal of GMCs, whether GMC destruction is driven primarily by internal feedback from massive stars or by the larger galactic environment, and how IMF evolution over a cloud’s lifetime influences the final star formation efficiency across diverse star-forming environments.

General eligibility

• Must be a current undergraduate student in a reputed university in Bangladesh.
• The subject of study must be physics, mathematics, data science/statistics, engineering or computer science.
• Must have programming and data-analysis skills and experience.
• Minimum CGPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 (or equivalent).
• Any additional eligibility stated under the chosen supervisor’s position above.

General responsibilities

• Work under the supervision of the chosen supervisor to complete a research project.
• Contribute toward publications.

Terms

• Positions: 3 — one under each supervisor (Asad, Ahad, Tanvir); each applicant applies to exactly one.
• Schedule: part-time — UGRA positions are always part-time.
• Tentative start date: 15 September 2026.
• Duration: 6 months. Extension is possible, but only after a review of the six months’ outputs — via a presentation, an interview, a report submission, and an external review.
• Remuneration: negotiable, based on relevant experience.
• Funding: the 2026 Sponsored Research Grant (SRG) of Dr Khan Muhammad Bin Asad, PI of ARC-SCOPE.
• Referees: at least 1 (more welcome) — contacted only if you are shortlisted, so get their permission in advance.
• Deadline: apply by 31 August 2026, 11:59 pm.

How to apply

Use the Apply now button on this page to open the official application form. Have your CV (max 2 pages), transcript and NID scan ready as PDFs; the statements on your relevant courses, research experience and purpose are written directly in the form, within the stated word limits. Apply to one supervisor only — UGRA (Asad), UGRA (Ahad) or UGRA (Tanvir) — and remember that only one application per email address is allowed. After you submit, we email you a copy of your responses with a private link to review or edit them any time until the form closes.

For inquiries, write to [email protected].

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