Summer 2026 Program: “Exploring Planetary Systems in the Era of Time-domain Astronomy”

Announcing a program on time-domain astronomy of planetary systems at the Institute for Astronomy at Manoa in Hawaii during June 1-August 28, 2026. More information and a link to the application form can be found here. Applicants must have a PhD or an approved dissertation topic (ABD). Review of applications will begin November 24.

Opportunities

Summer 2026 postdoctoral position

A position as a three-month summer “casual” hire at the postdoctoral level at the University of Hawaii at Manoa is now open for applications. The employment period will be June-August 2026 and cannot be extended. Applicants must have a PhD in astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, or closely related area. The successful applicant will be based at the Institute for Astronomy and spend 50% of their effort on co-directing a summer visitor program on “Exploring Planetary Systems in the Era of Time-domain Astronomy” and 50% of their effort on their own research. Apply here. For inquiries: gaidos@hawaii.edu

Short-term postdoctoral research in evolution of planetary systems

A one-year appointment as a postdoctoral assistant researcher in evolution of planetary systems is available at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa The successful applicant will be expected to carry out research within the area of evolving exoplanets and their host stars in collaboration with the colleagues at the Department of Earth Sciences and Institute for Astronomy. They will conduct research on one or a combination of the following: gyrochronology of very low-mass stars; observations of inflated and escaping atmospheres of sub-Neptunes; demographics of sub-Neptune exoplanets, particularly young or temperate objects. The successful applicant will disseminate their research findings as a presentation at a scientific conference and as one or more publications in peer-reviewed journals, as appropriate. The successful applicant would have access to all of the telescopes of Maunakea Observatories through the University of Hawaii time allocation committee and dedicated computing resources on the Koa supercomputer. The Institute for Astronomy is also a Science Collaboration Institution of the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope. The starting date is June 1, 2026 and the appointment ends on May 31 2027. Renewal of the appointment will depend on availability of funds and satisfactory performance. Benefits include a salary commensurate with experience (up to $90,000 annual) plus full benefits, and mentoring on proposal writing, research organization, student supervision, and instruction. Applications must have a PhD in astronomy, astrophysics, or planetary sciences, and have excellent command of written and spoken English. The successful applicant will be granted PI status, have the ability to write grant proposals, and join a Hawaii-based team in the multi-institutional Interdisciplinary Consortium for Astrobiology Research. Prospective candidates should apply at RCUH for position ID [TBD}. Review of applications will begin after February 16 and continue until the position is filled. For any inquiries contact Eric Gaidos at gaidos@hawaii.edu