Contact: nyunes[AT]illinois.eduLocation: Urbana-Champaign, United States
The Illinois Relativity Group at the Department of Physics of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign invites applications for two 3-year postdoctoral research fellow positions (starting in summer 2022) with a focus on extreme gravity.
The first fellowship is intended for work on astrophysical signatures of dynamical Chern-Simons gravity through gravitational wave observations. The successful candidate should have strengths in one or more of the following topics: inspiral models in post-Newtonian theory, quasi-normal modeling with black hole perturbation theory, extreme mass-ratio inspirals through self-force calculations, parameter estimation and Bayesian model selection as it concerns either ground-based or space-based instruments.
The second fellowship is intended for work on generic tests of general relativity with ground-based and space-based gravitational wave detectors. The successful candidate should have strengths in one or more of the following topics: inspiral-merger-ringdown modeling in model-independent tests of general relativity, parameter estimation of real gravitational wave data and general Bayesian statistics in the context of stacking or systematic errors, modeling of spin-precession and eccentric inspirals.
For both fellowships, the successful candidate must demonstrate research experience and creativity, breadth and depth of knowledge in extreme gravity, high productivity and high quality publications, and mastery of written and oral communication. A Ph.D in physics, astronomy, or a related discipline is required by the start of employment.
The successful candidate will join Professor Nico Yunes and his large research group in the study of extreme gravity topics related to the above descriptions. In addition to Professor Yunes, the Illinois Relativity Group is also composed of Professor Stu Shapiro, Asst. Professor Helvi Witek, and their research groups. The Illinois Relativity Group maintains close interactions with other UIUC colleagues in Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics and the NCSA, as well as collaborators across the globe. The successful candidate will also become a member of the Illinois Center for Advanced Studies of the Universe (ICASU), with access to its many resources and with access to interactions with its many faculty members. In particular, we envision the successful candidate may interact with ICASU member Professor Charles Gammie, Professor Gil Holder, Assoc. Professor Peter Adshead, Assoc. Professor Jorge Noronha, Asst. Professor Jaki Noronha-Hostler, Assoc. Professor Jessie Shelton, and Asst. Professor Yonatan Kahn.
Interested candidates will submit an application at https://my.physics.illinois.edu/submit/go.asp?id=1622, which must include the following separate documents:
– A curriculum vitae.
– A list of publications, with a summary of total papers published, number of citations to papers and h-index as determined by the Inspire search engine.
– A list of presentations given outside of the candidate’s research group.
– A brief research statement (3-page limit, 1-inch margins, 12 pt font).
– The names and contact information for three references, who will be asked to write letters of recommendation.
Please contact Nico Yunes (nyunes[AT]illinois.edu) if you have any questions about the position itself, or Brandy Koebbe (bkoebbe[AT]illinois.edu) if you have any questions about the application form. Applications should be posted by DEC 1, 2021 for full consideration. The starting date of the position is summer, 2022.
Any offer for this position is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check process in accordance with the University of Illinois Background Check Policy. The University of Illinois is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or criminal conviction history. Illinois welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity.
(www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu).