Contact: LE10920[AT]maths.cam.ac.ukLocation: Cambridge, UK
Applications are invited for two Postdoctoral Research Associate positions in the Relativity and Gravitation Group and the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology within the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics. The successful candidates will work with academic staff (John Barrow, Anthony Challinor, Mihalis Dafermos, Anne Davis, James Fergusson, Gary Gibbons, Stephen Hawking, Harvey Reall, Jorge Santos, Paul Shellard, and Ulrich Sperhake) and research staff (Tobias Baldauf, David Marsh, and Ewald Puchwein) on theoretical and computational projects related to CMB observations and inflation, scalar fields, and black holes and gravitational physics. The specific projects are:
The first position focuses on advancing the confrontation between observational CMB and large-scale structure data and the standard inflationary paradigm. The research programme includes developing robust predictions from inflationary models for the distribution of galaxies through quantitative developments in gravitational perturbation theory, as well as obtaining insights in inflationary theory, in light of observational information about higher-order correlators and tensor modes.
The second post will study black holes and gravitational physics. The purpose is to model the dynamics of astrophysical system containing black holes and neutron stars and their gravitational wave emission in the framework of Einstein’s general relativity and generalizations of the theory.
The positions are expected to be available from 1 April 2017, but the start date is flexible and can be delayed until October 2017. Applicants should have, or be about to obtain, a PhD in a relevant area of theoretical physics, and have an established track record of original research and experience of working in collaboration.
Duties will include developing and conducting individual and collaborative research objectives, proposals and projects. The role holders will be expected to plan and manage their own research and administration, with guidance if required, and to assist in the preparation of proposals and applications to external bodies. The successful candidates must be able to communicate material of a technical nature and be able to build internal and external contacts. They may be asked to assist in the supervision of student projects, the development of student research skills, provide instruction or plan/deliver seminars relating to the research area.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for up to 3 years in the first instance.
Further information about the Relativity and Gravitation Group can be found at http://damtp.cam.ac.uk/research/gr/
Informal enquiries may be made to Paul Shellard (LE10920[AT]maths.cam.ac.uk).
To apply, please go to http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/12331/
Please indicate the contact details of three academic referees on the online application form and upload a full curriculum vitae and a description of your recent research (not to exceed three pages). Please ensure that at least one of your referees is contactable at any time during the selection process, and is made aware that they will be contacted by the Mathematics HR Office Administrator to request that they upload a reference for you to our Web Recruitment System; and please encourage them to do so promptly.
Please quote reference LE10920 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity. The Department would particularly welcome applications from women, since women are, and have historically been, underrepresented on our research staff.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.