Contact: rxh1[AT]psu.eduLocation: University Park, PA
The Institute for Gravitation and the Cosmos at The Pennsylvania State University is seeking to fill one or more Postdoctoral Scholar positions in the theoretical aspects of gravitational physics for the academic year 2020-2021. The successful candidate will participate in the research programs led by Professors Abhay Ashtekar and Eugenio Bianchi. These include projects in classical general relativity, especially gravitational waves and cosmology; loop quantum gravity with emphasis on semi-classical issues, spin foams and loop quantum cosmology; all aspects of quantum black holes with emphasis on entanglement entropy, singularity resolution and quantum evaporation; relation between loop quantum gravity and other approaches to quantum gravity; non-perturbative techniques in quantum field theory. We will also consider candidates for the project “The Quantum Information Structure of Spacetime” supported by the John Templeton Foundation. This is a cross-disciplinary project that aims to put the physics of quantum spacetime on an information theoretical basis.
The larger gravity and cosmology group faculty will include Chad Hanna, Viktoriya Giryanskaya, Donghui Jeong, David Radice, Sarah Shandera and B. Sathyaprakash. Successful candidates will be encouraged to interact also with mathematicians in the Center for Fundamental Theory and with members of the Center for Theoretical and Observational Cosmology. During the current academic year, the Institute has 22 post-docs (including Drs. Tommaso De Lorenzo, Anuradha Gupta, Rahul Kashyap, Juan Margalef, Debnandini Mukherjee, Javed Rana, Marc Schneider and Surabhi Sachdev in Gravitation.) For further information on the Institute, see the institute webpage under gravity.psu.edu.
A Ph.D. in physics or a related field is required, with a research record showing a strong background in general relativity, and at least one of the other areas listed above. While the primary responsibility of the successful candidate(s) will be to carry out research in some of these areas, we also expect successful candidates to interact strongly with the other researchers in the gravity and cosmology group at Penn State. The Institute for Gravitation and the Cosmos offers significant additional resources for research expenses to exceptional candidates. They can be used for academic travel, computers, software, books, etc, entirely at the Postdoctoral Scholar’s discretion.
Applicants must submit the Penn State electronic application and upload a CV to the Penn State system at the URL given. A cover letter, statement of research interests and CV (including publication list) should be submitted to Academic Jobs Online using the tag 14866. Applicants should also arrange for at least three letters of reference to be submitted to AJO. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until all positions are filled. Applications received by December 8, 2019 are guaranteed full consideration. This is a fixed-term appointment funded for one year from date of hire with excellent possibility of re-funding.
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