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Posted July 07, 2026

Research Technician

Villanova University
Villanova, Pennsylvania, United States 19085 Full Time
Reference: 285669400

Villanova University


Research Technician



Posting Details

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Posting Details (Default Section)

Posting Number: 20260329S
Position Title: Research Technician
Position Type: Staff
Location: Villanova, PA
Recruitment Type: Internal/External Applicants
Work Schedule: full-time/12-months
Avg Hours Week
Department: 186-Physics
Position Summary:
This position is in direct support of NASA grants related to X-ray and optical observations of the supermassive black holes M87* and Sgr A* in connection with the Event Horizon Telescope campaigns on these sources. The employee will perform imaging, spectral, and variability analysis of recent observations. The primary goal will be to understand the spectral evolution of these sources, both in the X-ray band and across the electromagnetic spectrum, in collaboration with partners from the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration. The employee will also contribute to publication and dissemination of the knowledge gained from the effort. This position is paid by an external grant.

Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.
Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Data reduction: joint astrometry of Chandra, NuSTAR, and XMM-Newton observations and the extraction of data products including lightcurves, images, spectra, and response files. May also include optical or ultraviolet observations from Hubble and Swift.
  • Imaging and variability: analysis of the spatial emission structure of relevant datasets, including the relative brightness and morphology of core, jet, and surrounding regions. Search for changes in intensity on different timescales.
  • Spectroscopy: separate and joint spectral analysis of spatially resolved emission regions using X-ray and optical/UV datasets. Determination of the intensity and spectral shape for different regions over time.
  • Multiwavelegth modeling: collaborate with partners from the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration to produce and model the multiwavelength spectral energy energy distribution.
  • Presentation: The results are expected to be published in peer-reviewed journals, and it is expected that the employee will play a role in these publications including preparation of figures and writing text
  • Meetings with team and group members to clarify work, define tasks, and present/discuss results.
Minimum Qualifications:
Formal Education
  • Bachelor’s degree in physics or related area


Work Experience
  • 1-2 years’ experience required; relevant classroom experience may be considered in lieu of professional work experience.

Work Skills (e.g., written and verbal communication skills
  • Familiarity with technical writing, facility of communication with faculty and students
  • Specific Job Knowledge (e.g., knowledge of principles and procedures related to field and area)
  • Fundamental undergraduate physics; electronic transport measurements; computer programming and interfacing; data analysis; general laboratory safety

Equipment Knowledge
  • General electronics operation; soldering iron; optical microscope; electronics test equipment (voltmeters, oscilloscopes, detectors); general hardware tools.
Preferred Qualifications:
Formal Education
  • Master’s or Doctoral degree in physics or related area

Work Experience
  • 3+ years of physics research experience

Specific Job Knowledge (e.g., knowledge of principles and procedures related to field and area)
  • Minimum requirements plus knowledge of van der Waals materials exfoliation and assembly; solid state physics; spectroscopy and microwave measurements; microfabrication in clean room facilities; cryogenic measurements; microwave signals; CAD (DesignCAD, LayoutEditor, or similar)

Equipment Knowledge
  • Minimum requirements plus knowledge of some/all of the following: atomic force microscope, electron beam lithography machines, reactive ion etchers, plasma etchers, metal deposition chambers, various cryostats, vacuum chambers, Raman spectrometers
Other
  • Previous experience performing experiments as users at a National Lab
Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:
Special Message to Applicants:
Posting Date: 07/03/2026
Closing Date (11:59pm ET):
Salary Posting Information:
This position falls within salaried grade 12 and the range is $47,500-56,900. The final salary will be determined with consideration of several factors including the selected candidate’s qualifications, department budget availability, market data, and internal equity.
Salary Grade: 12
Job Classification: exempt

References Needed

References Needed

Minimum Number of References Needed 3
Maximum Number of References Needed 3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * How did you first hear of this employment opportunity?
    • Indeed.com
    • Higheredjobs.com
    • LinkedIn
    • Glassdoor
    • Chronicle Vitae
    • Academic Keys
    • PA CareerLink/JobGateway
    • Professional Affiliation/Trade Website
    • Diversity Association/Publication Website
    • Advertisement in Academic or Professional Publication
    • Referred by a current employee
    • Referred by a friend, family member, or former employee
    • Heard about it at a conference or career fair
    • Browsing the Villanova website
    • Cabrini University employee
    • Other
  2. * If your answer to the above question is "Other", please specify the source below. If this question does not apply to you, enter N/A.

    (Open Ended Question)

Documents needed to complete your application:

Required Documents
  1. Cover Letter / Letter of Interest
  2. Resume / Curriculum Vitae
Optional Documents
  1. Other Document




Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

PI285669400

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