Contact: ajith[AT]icts.res.inLocation: Bangalore, India
Applications are invited for a Max Planck Prize Postdoctoral Position in Astrophysical Relativity at the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS) of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), located in Bangalore, India. This position is supported by the Max Planck Partner Group in Astrophysical Relativity at ICTS, which operates in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics. The fellowship is offered broadly in the area of gravitational wave physics and astronomy, including analytical and numerical relativity, and theoretical astrophysics. All applicants will be automatically considered for the regular ICTS postdoc positions also.
ELIGIBILITY:
Applications are invited from highly motivated young scientists with proven track record. Candidates are expected to have a PhD in Physics, Astrophysics or Astronomy with excellent track record. Although PhDs in gravitational-wave physics, relativistic astrophysics, numerical relativity, etc., are preferred, candidates with strong analytical and computational skills, trained in other areas are also encouraged to apply.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
The initial appointment will be for two years, with possibility of extension up to a third year, based on the scientific activity of the Fellow. The position carries a monthly salary of Rs. 60,000 and housing allowance of Rs. 15,000. Fellows can also opt for free Institute accommodation in lieu of the housing allowance. Fellows receive health insurance and a research grant of Rs. 200,000 per year. Fellows will also have the opportunity to apply for additional travel and research grants offered by the ICTS as well as the national funding agencies.
ABOUT ICTS:
ICTS is a new initiative in Indian science, with a mandate to contribute to research excellence by providing a platform and resources to organize various programs in theoretical sciences at the forefront of knowledge. Apart from hosting a large number of visitor-driven academic programs, ICTS boasts a world-class in-house research program. The current in-house research focusses on astrophysical relativity, numerical linear algebra, computational sciences, data assimilation, dynamical systems, nonlinear dynamics, fluid mechanics, mathematical physics and geometry, physical biology, statistical mechanics and turbulence, condensed matter physics, and string theory. ICTS runs strong visitors and associates programs, a highly competitive graduate school as well as a strong postdoctoral program. Providing a vibrant academic environment, the ICTS’s state-of-the-art residential campus is located in Bangalore, the garden city of India, that boasts a pleasant and moderate climate. ICTS maintains close ties with the world-class scholastic ambience of the city
ASTROPHYSICAL RELATIVITY AT ICTS:
The Astrophysical Relativity group includes Parameswaran Ajith (faculty), Bala Iyer (Simons visiting professor), Archisman Ghosh, Chandra Kant Mishra, Nathan K Johnson-McDaniel, Arunava Mukherjee, Sumit Kumar (postdocs), Abhirup Ghosh, Ajit Kumar Mehta (graduate students) and several visiting undergrad students. K. G. Arun, Sascha Husa, Mark Hannam, Badri Krishnan and Tarun Souradeep are visiting associates. The group’s research interest include gravitational-wave source modeling, data analysis including parameter estimation, tests of general relativity using gravitational-wave observations and astrophysics. The group is an active member group in the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and the IndIGO consortium. The group hosts a 1000 core LIGO Tier-3 grid computing cluster and has access to other high-performance facilities at ICTS.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates can apply online with their CV, list of publications, a research proposal (not more than two pages) and a covering letter (PDF). The applicants also need to arrange at least three recommendation letters sent directly to the ICTS. The nominal deadline is June 15, 2016; but applications will be considered until the positions are filled. The nominal starting date of October 1, 2016 is negotiable.