Observatory Research Assistant II - Physics & Astronomy

Observatory Research Assistant II - Physics & Astronomy

Salary

$20.00 Hourly

Location

Main Campus (BG), OH

Job Type

Student Worker

Job Number

BGSU01675

Division

Presidents Office

Department

Student Employment

Opening Date

05/22/2026

Closing Date

6/5/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits

Summary

Conduct research activities and facility testing at the BGSU Observatory under the direction of Dr Andrew McNeill.

Career Readiness Competencies:

• Adjust tone and approach based on audience (e.g., peers vs. supervisors).
• Analyze problems and propose practical solutions.
• Build positive working relationships across campus departments.
• Learn new software or digital platforms as needed for your role.
• Troubleshoot simple technical issues or know when to ask for help.

Essential Functions

Carry out research activities in astronomy, including:

• Assisting with the telescope upgrades
• Collection of data using the new CMOS imager
• Data analysis and quality control
• Testing the observatorys ability to confirm exoplanet candidates around bright stars.
• Develop and maintain Python scripts for data reduction and analysis
• Potentially carry out new observations using the 0.5m BGSU Telescope

Minimum Qualifications

• Physics graduate student or senior undergraduate student majoring in Physics and minoring in Astronomy

• If undergraduate, student should have received an A grade in:

• ASTR4030 - Modern Astrophysics

• ASTR3090 - Observational Astronomy

• Stargaze experience required

Bowling Green State University is an equal opportunity employer. The University is committed to maintaining an employment and educational environment that is free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of protected class: age (40 years of age or older), ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity and expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, marital status, military status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

EEOC Know Your Rights

OCRC Know Your Rights

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Bowling Green State University, please call 419-372-8421 or email ohr@bgsu.edu.

BGSU is an E-Verify employer. If hired into this position, you will be required to provide satisfactory proof of employment eligibility by providing acceptable, original forms of identification for employment verification via the Federal I-9 employment verification process. A list of acceptable documents can be seen here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

This position is not eligible for benefits.

Employer Bowling Green State University

Address 1851 N Research Drive

Huntington Building

Bowling Green, Ohio, 43403

Phone (419) 372-8421 Human Resources

(419) 372-2865 Student Employment

Website https://www.bgsu.edu/human-resources/careers.html