| Location | Science Park Amsterdam |
|---|---|
| Function types | Postdoc positions |
| Scientific fields | Natural Sciences |
| Hours | 38.0 hours per week |
| Salary | € 3068 - € 4028 |
| Education | Doctorate |
| Job number | 16-540 |
| Translations | en |
| About employer | University of Amsterdam (UvA) |
| Short link | www.academictransfer.com/37134 |
Apply for this job within 45 days
Job description
The BinCosmos group at the Anton Pannekoek Institute, led by Dr. S.E. de Mink, is seeking postdoctoral fellows that are interested in computational (stellar) astrophysics.
The projects are of computational and theoretical nature (although they are all directly guided by observations). Codes currently used within the group include the public 1D stellar evolutionary code MESA as well as several stellar population synthesis codes. Experience with these or related numerical simulations is a pre but not required.
While the core of the project is computational, you will be expected to also learn about observation. You may either work on predictions for upcoming or future missions that can help to better understand the roles of binary stars. Or you may be using existing data sets to test the models. The most prominent example is LIGO’s searches for gravitational wave. Other examples include the robotic transient surveys such as the Palomar Transient Factory and later LSST. It can also concern ground or space based surveys of nearby resolved stellar populations (such as the Tarantula Survey of massive stars), asteroseismological constraints on the interior structure or distant unresolved populations, as JWST will observe. For an impression of the diversity of project, have a look at the PI’s website for recent activities in the group.
As postdoctoral fellow in the BinCosmos group you will take lead of investigating one of the sub questions of the project. The BinCosmos touches on a wide variety of implications. There is therefore substantial freedom in the choice of the direction of the project. The Fellow and Supervisor will discuss together what best fits the interests and expertise of the fellow and what best strengthens the team.
The BinCosmos group members closely interact with other groups in the department, by participation in shared group meetings and journal clubs. In particular, they will interact with other faculty and students that are members of the massive star group, many of which are focussing on projects of observational nature. You will also be strongly encouraged to start international collaborations and become actively involved as a theorist in observing programs.
You will also be strongly encouraged to develop further skills that prepare you for more senior positions following this one. You are expected to take part in the co-supervision of students. You will be encouraged and receive coaching to apply for independent fellowships such as the Marie Curie, VENI/VIDI program. Teaching is not required, but there are possibilities if desired.
Requirements
Experience in computational astrophysics is preferred: either in stellar astrophysics or in one of the many applications (population synthesis, supernovae, mergers, stellar feedback in galaxy formation, stellar atmospheres, gravitational wave astrophysics). If you feel you can strengthen the BinCosmos team in any other way, feel free to indicate that in your cover letter.
Conditions of employment
The appointment will be on a temporary basis for a period of 2+1 years. The third year is contingent upon satisfactory progress and funding. Based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from €3,068 to €4,028 (salary scale 10) depending on experience, plus 8% holiday allowance and 8,3 % end of year bonus according to the Dutch salary scales for post-doctoral researchers. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities is applicable.
The standard, generous Dutch social benefits apply to this position including collective health insurance, 16 weeks paid maternity leave, childcare subsidies, pension, and ~35 days annual paid vacation.
We are an equal opportunity employer and greatly value the diverse nature of our institute. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
The intended starting date is Fall 2017, but earlier/later dates can be negotiated.
Employer
With over 5,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.
The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.
Department
The Anton Pannekoek institute (API) in Amsterdam offers a highly international and stimulating research environment, closely collaborating with the other Dutch institutes through the Netherlands Research School for Astronomy. The institute consist of about 15 research faculty, 22 postdocs and 47 graduate students. Approximately half of our postdoc/student population is foreign, and thus English is the main language of our institute.
The BinCosmos project aims to improve our understanding of the complex physical processes that play a role in the evolution of massive (binary) stars and to explore the implications for the many roles massive stars have played over cosmic time. The fellow will work on a project within the theme of BinCosmos. Possibilities include investigating both the early and late evolutionary phases, the implications of binary interaction for the chemical, radiative and mechanical feedback by massive stars, understanding the evolution of the progenitors of explosive transients as well as binary neutron stars and black holes as sources of gravitational waves.
The BinCosmos group is a young dynamic international group at the Anton Pannekoek Institute, currently consisting of 3 Phd students, 2 incoming postdocs and a varying number of MSc and BSc students. Over the next three years 4 new postdocs/PhD candidates will join the group. All group members focus on various aspects and products of massive binary evolution.
Additional information
Informal inquiries regarding this position are welcome and can be sent to:
You may also want to check:
Applications for the position at the University of Amsterdam may only be submitted by sending your application to:
To process your application immediately, please quote vacancy number 15-540 and the position you are applying for in the subject-line.
Please arrange for three letters of recommendation. They can be send directly to application-science@uva.nl. They need to quote the vacancy number and your name.
Applications consist of a single PDF (not zipped) which include a:
- curriculum vitae;
- publication list (Highlight your 3 most relevant papers);
- research statement.
In your research statement indicate
- highlights of your previous/current work or expertise and how you think this is relevant for the BinCosmos project;
- what project/questions you would like to work on as member of the BinCosmos project.
Recommended length 3 to 4 pages.
The BinCosmos group strongly values that the strength of the group comes from the diversity of the team members. We strongly encourage members from any underrepresented groups in the field to apply.