University of Amsterdam (UvA) welcomes applications for a 3-year postdoctoral position to work on neutron star astrophysics with Prof. Anna Watts and her group at the Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy (API). The successful applicant will join the ERC Consolidator Grant funded project AEONS (Advancing the Equation of state Of Neutron Stars).
NASA’s NICER X-ray telescope has recently delivered its first measurements of neutron star mass and radius – key probes of the dense matter Equation of State (EOS) – using the new technique of Pulse Profile Modeling (PPM).
PPM combines astrophysical modelling, relativistic ray-tracing, and Bayesian inference using high-performance computers to deliver not only mass and radius but also a map of the hot emitting regions on the stellar surface.
Missions such as eXTP and STROBE-X are targeting accreting neutron stars for PPM – but these pose challenges such as variability, surface pattern uncertainty, and the need to consider X-ray polarimetry data.
AEONS will tackle these issues, and study how to embed PPM in a multi-messenger EOS inference framework with radio and gravitational wave constraints. If you have a background in electromagnetic/gravitational wave neutron star astrophysics, dense matter physics, astrostatistics or computational astrophysics can apply.
Postdoctoral Researcher
You will join the vibrant high energy astrophysics group at API and can expect to collaborate with our colleagues in the Gravitation and Astroparticle Physics (GRAPPA) Institute.
Two postdoctoral researchers will eventually be hired within the AEONS team, with broad goals of quantifying the robustness of PPM and embedding PPM in the wider multi-messenger and nuclear physics context.
There is flexibility in how this works in practice, and applicants with interests in either or both areas are welcome. You will work closely with the PhD students on the team and will have the opportunity to supervise Bachelor and Masters student research projects.
You will also be encouraged to pursue your own research lines (please highlight any synergies of existing projects with AEONS in your application).
How to Apply
You can apply online by using the link below before 28 February 2020.
Applications should include:
- A single pdf containing a cover letter and CV, including a list of publications;
- A brief statement of your research experience, skills and goals. Please highlight anything that is particularly relevant to the AEONS project area;
- The names and email addresses of three people who can be contacted for letters of reference in the event that your application is shortlisted.
Highlights
| Publication date | 9 January 2020 |
|---|---|
| Closing date | 28 February 2020 |
| Position | Postdoctoral Researcher |
| Level of education | PhD |
| Hours | 38 hours per week |
| Salary indication | €2,709 to €4,274 gross per month |
| Vacancy number | 20-007 |
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