Contact: bejger[AT]camk.edu.plLocation: Warsaw, Poland
Recent direct gravitational-wave detections open a completely new and exciting observational window to our Universe: gravitational-wave astronomy. The network of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo interferometric detectors is gathering the most sensitive data to date, in a broad range of frequencies corresponding to the emission of gravitational waves by binary systems of black holes, neutrons stars, supernova explosions, rotating neutron stars and instabilities related to them. The potential for fundamental new discoveries in this field is substantial.
The PhD study project under the supervision of dr Michał Bejger is divided into two parts: first is the design and implementation of data-analysis algorithms for gravitational wave detectors aimed at the transient gravitational-wave phenomena related to neutron stars (in close collaboration with the Polish Virgo group, full member of the LIGO-Virgo collaboration) with the use of modern data-analysis techniques: deep-learning neural network methods implemented on graphical-processing units (GPUs). Second, complementary part of the project is related to the construction of realistic theoretical models of neutron stars – sources of the gravitational-wave emission – to be used in the gravitational-waves data analysis, and in order to put constrains on their physical properties and their very dense matter equation of state (in collaboration with Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center neutron-star group members).
The Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center is one of the leading astronomical institutes in Poland, and the neutron star group is involved in cutting edge research on the neutron star equation of state, neutron star superfludity, gravitational wave detection and pulsar glitches.The neutron star group is currently composed of 4 staff members, 2 postdocs and 2 students. Applications must be received by the Nicolaus Copernicus Center before March 19th 2017 (details in https://www.camk.edu.pl/en/phd/ , the announcement https://www.camk.edu.pl/media/uploads/studia_doktoranckie/2017/recruitment2017.pdf). Applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisor (bejger[AT]camk.edu.pl) well in advance to discuss the project.