The Gravity Group in the Department of Physics at Montana State University (MSU) seeks applicants for two postdoctoral positions. Both are two year appointments starting in the Fall of 2011. One position (with Dr. Yunes) will concentrate on general relativity theory, with an emphasis on gravitational wave aspects, post-Newtonian theory, black hole perturbation theory, or strong-field tests of GR. The other position will (with Dr. Cornish) concentrate on gravitational wave astronomy and data analysis, with a focus on LIGO and LISA applications. The successful applicants will be encouraged to collaborate with all members of the Gravity Group. Candidates with expertise in general relativity, gravitational wave astronomy, and data analysis are encouraged to apply. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Physics or a related field.
MSU has been home to a Gravity Group for over 40 years. Current faculty members in the group are Neil Cornish, Ron Hellings and Nicolas Yunes. In the related field of relativistic astrophysics we have faculty members Bennett Link and Sachiko Tsuruta. MSU is a member institution of the LIGO collaboration, and is represented on the LISA International Science Team.
The Gravity Group’s main areas of concentration include gravitational wave modeling within post-Newtonian theory and black hole perturbation theory, data analysis problems related to gravitational wave detection, the interface between astrophysics andgravitational wave theory, and theoretical and data analysis aspects of testing general relativity. We have strong collaborations with Princeton University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, the Goddard Space Flight Center, the Perimeter Institute and Cambridge University.
The MSU Bozeman campus (http://www.montana.edu) is nestled in the Rocky Mountains, 90 miles north of Yellowstone National Park, with easy access to many outdoor recreation activities including world-class downhill and cross-country skiing, fly fishing, and numerous hiking and mountain biking trails. Bozeman is well served by four major airlines.
Send via e-mail as a single PDF (1) a letter of application describing your research interests, (2) a resume with publication list, and (3) arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to cornish[at]physics.montana.edu. We request that at least one of the letters be from the candidate’s current institution. For the complete job announcement and application procedures go to http://www.montana.edu/msuinfo/jobs/prof/
To receive full consideration applications should be received by December 15, 2010. Applications will continued to be screened until the positions are filled. Inquires may be directed to Neil Cornish (e-mail: cornish[at]physics.montana.edu, phone: (406) 994-7986) and/or Nico Yunes (e-mail: nyunes[at]space.mit.edu, phone: (814) 883-2069).
ADA/EO/AA/Veteran Preference. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.