Contact: gf.bertone[AT]gmail.comLocation: Amsterdam, NL
A tenure track position for gravitational-wave astrophysics is available in the Gravitation and AstroParticle Physics Amsterdam group (GRAPPA), at the interface of the National Institute for Subatomic Physics (Nikhef) and the Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy (API) of the University of Amsterdam (UvA). GRAPPA is a joint effort between the Institute for High Energy Physics, the Anton Pannekoek Institute, and the Institute for Theoretical Physics. It consists of nine faculty members – S. Ando, D. Baumann, D. Berge, G. Bertone (spokesperson), M.P. Decowski, B. Freivogel, S. Markoff, J. Vink and C. Weniger – whose research interests include black holes, cosmic rays, neutrinos, dark matter, dark energy, early universe cosmology, and string theory. In addition, there are about 15 affiliated GRAPPA faculty who are involved with experimental work on Antares/KM3NeT, ATLAS, CTA, LIGO/VIRGO, LOFAR and XENON100/XENON1T, as well as theory.
Project description
The Anton Pannekoek Institute and Nikhef are currently in the process of strengthening their efforts in gravitational-wave astrophysics. Nikhef is a member of the LIGO/Virgo consortium and it has strong expertise in detector construction and in the detection and interpretation of gravitational-wave signals. API has one of the world-leading groups in the astrophysics of compact objects, strong gravity, and evolution of massive stars. The research of both institutes has become more strongly linked since the founding of GRAPPA five years ago; the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in connecting the research in gravitational-wave astrophysics of the two institutes further. Nikhef and API are embedded locally and nationally in a strong and vibrant research environment: the Science Park Amsterdam campus houses national research institutes in many areas of Physics and Computational Science, the Faculty of Science of UvA, the joint BSc and MSc degrees in physics and astronomy of UvA and VUA, and has strong ties to small business incubators and major research companies. Nationally, Nikhef is the home base for the Dutch involvement in CERN, and API is a member of NOVA, the national home base for research at ESO, and has close ties to SRON and ASTRON, the national institutes for Space Science and Radio Astronomy. API has over 30% female faculty, and more than half of the recent hires in physics and astronomy have been female.
The candidate should bring and further develop an independent research program in the field of gravitational-wave astrophysics. This program should be complementary to and synergetic with the ongoing research at Nikhef and API. Acquisition of external funding for building a research group is part of the position, as are enthusiastic participation in the teaching program both on Bachelor and Master level. All staff members at the UvA also have functions in the self-administration and management of the institution.
Requirements
We are looking for a candidate with an exceptionally strong research program and a strong interest in excellent teaching in the areas of interest of GRAPPA, with a strong preference for candidates working in gravitational-wave astrophysics. For a balanced composition of GRAPPA, we also have a strong preference for female candidates.
The candidate is required to have a PhD in (astro-)physics, an excellent scientific track record, and the proven capability to attract funding. The candidate should have the capabilities to build up a research group of internationally outstanding level and to initiate and carry out scientific research. The candidate should also be able to develop and provide allotted cohesive academic course components for a wide range of target groups, based on the faculty’s curriculum, so that students may meet the course objectives in terms of knowledge, understanding, skills, competence and attitude.
Appointment
The initial appointment will be for a period of six years. Based on performance indicators agreed on at the start of the appointment, the tenure track position will lead to a tenured position in a period of maximally 5 years. In the fifth year of the appointment the tenure decision will be taken. These conditions can be tailored appropriately for candidates that have somewhat greater seniority. Exceptional candidates may be directly considered for a tenured position.
The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel. Based on a full time appointment (38 hours per week) the maximum salary is EUR 5,405 gross per month. This is excl. 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% end of year bonus. Favourable tax agreements may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities is applicable.
Within the Faculty of Science, newly appointed staff follow a didactic training trajectory, which should lead up to completion of a certificate qualifying yourself for academic teaching (basiskwalificatie onderwijs, BKO) within two years. Foreign teaching qualifications/certificates are assessed in compliance with the faculty’s regulations.
Job application
Applications must include:
cover letter;
curriculum vitae including full list of electronically accessible publications;
research statement;
teaching statement.
You will also need to provide contact details for 3 referees. They will be contacted directly.
Application deadline 1 December 2017