Research Assistant

Physics and Astronomy - 319000

Research Professionals

04/15/2026

04/20/2026

Temporary Staff (SHRA)

Research Assistant

20075478

S027121

Full-Time Temporary

40

Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

North Carolina, US

$15.00 per hour

05/18/2026

3 months or less

Our primary mission is providing instruction of the highest quality in physics and astronomy to undergraduate and graduate students at UNC-CH. Training in physics is fundamental among the natural sciences because it provides understanding of the forces governing the structure of matter, from subatomic particles to the large-scale structure of the universe. Our departmental instructional mission spans all segments of the student community. Over 60% of all college graduates from UNC-CH have taken a course in our department. Among them: undergraduate liberal arts majors who should master the power of quantitative reasoning; undergraduates seeking a degree in another of the natural sciences, who need physics as a foundation for their advanced scientific training; the small number of undergraduates who major in physics, to whom we provide broad and rigorous training. Our graduate education and research advances frontiers of knowledge at the two extremes of space and time, from the very small) the realm of particle physics) to the very large (the realm of astronomy, while expanding the boundaries of knowledge in the many subfields spanning length scales between. Forefront physics and astronomy research requires access to well-equipped laboratories and extensive computing capabilities; it also must be supported by comprehensive and accessible library collections. Again, in research at this advanced level, the bridging aspect of physics provides basic interdisciplinary insight for many other sciences. This instructional mission is supported by a strong managerial, administrative, and technical staff. Duties of these employees range from budget planning and management for the numerous research grants held by faculty in the department to maintaining course and student records. These activities are usually accomplished in a standard 40- hour week schedule.

The researcher will analyze observational data to investigate how stellar activity and rotation influence the variability and perceived luminosity of low-mass stars. This will include work with TESS and ground-based light curves as well as spectroscopy taken with the SOAR telescope. This work contributes to the department’s broader mission of advancing the frontiers of astronomy and mastering quantitative reasoning.
To support research on the mass-luminosity relation for low-mass stars, with a specific focus on quantifying the effects of stellar activity, variability, and rotation on these fundamental relationships.

Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.

Specific experience working with stellar rotation or activity data for late K and M dwarfs. Experience with SOAR or similar spectra.