Statistical Learning & AI
Developing novel methods to discover underlying patterns from (many) large, messy datasets.
Astrostatistics · University of Toronto
Joshua S. Speagle沈 佳 士
Combining astronomy, statistics, and AI to understand how stars and galaxies form, behave, and evolve.
✦ Research Groupastrostatuoft.com
The Astrostatistics Research Team
Where stars meet statistics
I am incredibly fortunate to co-lead the interdisciplinary Astrostatistics Research Team (ART) along with its founder Gwen Eadie.
Cutting-Edge, Interdisciplinary Research
Pioneering new methods in astrophysics at the intersection of statistics and AI
Collaborative, Inclusive Environment
Interdisciplinary team spanning astrophysics, statistics, and data science
Who I am
Who am I?
I am an Assistant Professor of Astrostatistics jointly appointed between the Department of Statistical Sciences and the David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics at the University of Toronto. I am also an Associate Member of the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics as well as a Member of the Data Sciences Institute.
Contact Information
Email: j.speagle@utoronto.ca
Office: UY 9134 (Statistical Sciences) and AB 206 (Astronomy & Astrophysics)
Outside of work, I mostly enjoy hanging out at home or going out with my wife, our two dogs, and our son. I also watch way too much anime, play way too many video games, and have a supremely unhealthy love of junk food and soda.
What I do
Statistics, AI & astronomy
I develop statistical & machine-learning methods and apply them to the largest astronomical surveys — from billions of stars and galaxies down to individual objects.
Interpretability & Insight
Building up a rigorous understanding of how statistical methods work both in theory and in practice in order to extract novel scientific insights.
Inference & Computation
Establishing robust frameworks and designing tractable algorithms to efficiently quantify how much we can learn from data.
Discovery & Understanding
Applying these methods to large-scale astronomical surveys to uncover new insights about the universe.
This work often involves working with massive datasets from wide-field imaging and spectroscopic surveys containing observations ranging from billions of stars and galaxies to interstellar gas and dust, but can also include smaller datasets from targeted observations of individual objects along with everything in between.
Join us
Collaboration & Mentorship
I consider collaboration and mentorship to be at the heart of my research and love working with students, postdocs, visiting researchers, and faculty across disciplines. If you're interested in working with me on a short-term or long-term project, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Opportunities
Postdoctoral Researchers
Gwen and I are always looking for enthusiastic postdoctoral researchers to join the Astrostatistics Research Team! If you are interested in applying your skills to cutting-edge research in astrostatistics, please feel free to reach out to either me and/or Gwen.
Fellowship opportunities: CPRA (replaces NSERC/Banting), CANSSI CDPF (when available), CANSSI Ontario (when available), Arts & Science, Research Excellence, Provost (Black & Indigenous), Dunlap, CITA, DSI, Schmidt AI in Science
Graduate Students
I am always looking for enthusiastic students to join our research group. While I cannot directly admit graduate students, I encourage applications to our Master's/Doctoral programs. Please feel free to reach out if you are interested in learning more about my research and how it might fit into your potential graduate studies.
Programs: Astronomy & Astrophysics, Statistical Sciences
University of Toronto Undergraduates
I love working with University of Toronto undergraduate students both throughout the year and over the summer. I often post opportunities through existing program streams to ensure equitable review processes.
Programs: Research Opportunity Program (ROP), Work Study Program (WSP), University of Toronto Excellence Award (UTEA), independent study courses (AST, PHY, STA), casual employment
Canadian Undergraduates
For Canadian undergraduate students, there are several excellent summer research programs available. These competitive programs provide structured research experiences with funding support.
Programs: Astronomy & Astrophysics SURP, CITA SURF, DSI SUDS, NSERC USRA (supervisor-nominated)
International Undergraduates
Several funded programs exist for international students to conduct research at Canadian universities. Eligibility varies by country of origin and program.
Programs: Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (12-week summer), Mitacs Globalink Research Award (12-48 weeks, year-round), ELAP (Latin America & Caribbean), Study in Canada Scholarships (Africa, Middle East, Asia, & others)
Visiting Researchers & External Collaborators
I am always happy to start up new collaborations or strengthen existing ones. If you are interested in coming to the University of Toronto for either a short visit or extended stay, please reach out so we can discuss potential projects and coordinate funding.
Short biography
Short Biography
1990s - 2011
Childhood
USA & China
Shuttled between the US (around Milwaukee) and China (Beijing and Shanghai). Fell in love with astronomy at age 17 after reading From Eternity to Here by Sean Carroll.
2011 - 2015
Undergraduate
Boston, Massachusetts
Bachelor's Degree with Honors in Astrophysics and Physics at Harvard University. Participated in multiple research projects across astronomy.
2015 - 2016
Project Academic Support Staff
Kashiwa, Japan
Worked with Alexie Leauthaud and Kevin Bundy at Kavli IPMU. Began shifting my focus to astrostatistics and data science.
2016 - 2020
Graduate School
Boston, Massachusetts
Master's and Doctoral Degrees at Harvard. Thesis: "Mapping the Milky Way in the Age of Gaia" under Doug Finkbeiner, Charlie Conroy, and Daniel Eisenstein, with additional supervision by Alyssa Goodman.
2020 - 2022
Postdoctoral Fellow
Toronto, Canada
Jan-Apr 2025
Research Scientist
Toronto, Canada (Remote)
While on leave from UofT, worked as a Research Scientist at River Run Trading on cutting-edge quantitative trading strategies for crypto assets.
2022 - Present
Assistant ProfessorNow
Toronto, Canada
Joint appointment in Statistical Sciences and Astronomy & Astrophysics. Co-leading the Astrostatistics Research Team (ART) with Gwen Eadie.