About the role#
This Science Intern position focuses on research regarding cold brown dwarfs. Working closely with a NOIRLab Astronomer, the intern will contribute to the reduction, analysis, and interpretation of data acquired from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
What you'll do#
- Reduce and analyze JWST infrared imaging and spectroscopy of cold brown dwarfs.
- Use astronomical software and Python-based pipelines to process data and extract scientific measurements.
- Assist with the early analysis of spectral and photometric properties of substellar objects.
- Prepare figures, documentation, and results for scientific presentations and publications.
- Ensure compliance with government award terms and conditions.
- Manage and control assigned property within the work area.
What you'll need#
- Enrollment in a bachelor’s program or a recent degree in a relevant field, such as astronomy, physics, computer science, data science, or mathematics.
- Background knowledge in astronomy and physics, specifically regarding stars, planets, brown dwarfs, mechanics, and optics.
- Proficiency in basic coding or scripting, such as Python or bash, to automate data analysis and create visualizations.
- Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Preferred: Prior astronomy research experience, familiarity with Python libraries like Astropy, NumPy, or Pandas, and experience with infrared or space telescope data.
Location & details#
- Location: Tucson, Arizona, USA.
- Modality: On-site.
- Term: Summer 2026.
- Status: Full-time, paid internship.
- Note: Occasional work at high-elevation summit sites may be required.
