Contact: patruno[AT]strw.leidenuniv.nlLocation: Leiden, The Netherlands
Applications are invited for a PhD research position (4-years) to work with Dr. Alessandro Patruno and his new “Compact Objects” research group at the Leiden Observatory.
The position is fully funded by an NWO Vidi grant awarded to the project ”Hints of New Physics in Pulsating Neutron Stars”. The PhD researcher will carry out a comprehensive study of accreting neutron stars and radio pulsars to constrain the behaviour of the nuclear force at ultra-high densities and possible mechanisms for the emission of gravitational waves. This is achieved by understanding how the neutron star spin evolves with time and what is the maximum rotational frequency that neutron stars can reach in their lifetime. The PhD researcher will work on X-ray, optical and radio data collected with different space and ground based observatories. An intense interpretative work will also be conducted and some theoretical work is also expected. The PhD researcher will also have the opportunity to work and interact for a few months at the University of Southampton with prof. N. Andersson and his group.
The position comes with a competitive salary and full benefits. The application review process will begin on November 15, 2013 and will continue until the position is filled. The starting dates are negotiable with a preference for an early start (March/April 2014). Applicants are requested to upload a CV, a brief statement of research interests and experience, and contact information for two referees. Application forms are available at http://jobs.strw.leidenuniv.nl/2013/patrunoPhD
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact Alessandro Patruno at patruno[AT]strw.leidenuniv.nl and visit the website http://strw.leidenuniv.nl/~patruno
More information about research at Leiden Observatory can be found at http://www.strw.leidenuniv.nl/research/.
Leiden Observatory, founded in 1633, is the oldest university astronomy department in the world. With about 25 faculty, over 40 postdoctoral associates and about 75 PhD students it is the largest astronomy department in the Netherlands. Leiden is charming university town with an international flair. Most Leiden researchers have an international background. English is the common language.
Included Benefits: Leiden University offers comprehensive benefits including paid vacation, sick leave, disability insurance, maternity and parental leave, and retirement benefits