Postdoctoral positions in Gravitational Wave Astrophysics

The Astrophysical and Cosmological Relativity (ACR) division at the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute, AEI) in Potsdam announces the opening of several postdoc appointments. The postdoctoral positions will be available at different levels, depending on experience and seniority, and can last from two to five years.

The ACR division, led by Alessandra Buonanno, is composed of about 20-25 scientists, including two research group leaders, Jonathan Gair (as of Spring 2019) and Harald Pfeiffer. The division also hosts several long and short-term visitors, and it has ties with the Physics Department at the University of Maryland, the Humboldt University in Berlin, and the University of Potsdam.

The ACR division focuses on several aspects of gravitational-wave physics and astrophysics, including (i) theoretical gravitational dynamics and radiation (effective field theory, post-Newtonian theory, gravitational self-force approach, perturbation theory and effective-one-body formalism), (ii) numerical relativity, most notably simulations of binary black holes and binary neutron stars, (iii) interpretation and analysis of data from gravitational-wave detectors on the ground (LIGO and Virgo) and in space (LISA), (iv) astrophysics of compact objects, (v) cosmography with gravitational waves from binary systems, and (vi) tests of strong gravity within General Relativity and alternative gravity theories. Members of the division have the opportunity to join the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and the LISA Consortium through the group's membership, and also participate to building the science case for third-generation (3G) ground-based detectors (Einstein Telescope and Cosmic Explorer).

The ACR division has a high-performance computer cluster, Minerva with ~9,500 cores, and a high-throughput computer cluster Vulcan with ~2,000 cores (soon to be replaced by Hypatia with ~8,000 cores). Those clusters are used to run numerical-relativity simulations of gravitational-wave sources, and to carry out source modeling and data-analysis studies for current and future gravitational-wave detectors.

The ACR division also offers Max Planck Fellowships to non-German scientists. Information on those fellowships and explanations on how to apply are summarized on the website. 

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The deadline for full consideration is December 22, 2018. The positions are available as early as Spring 2019, but they can also start later, in Fall 2019. Applications will be considered until all positions are filled.

The Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics is an equal opportunity employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.

For further information please contact Dr. Andre Schirotzek: andre.schirotzek@aei.mpg.de