Contact: walter.simon[AT]univie.ac.atLocation: Vienna, Austria
“Gravitational wave astronomy” provides an indirect confirmation of the mathematical concepts of gravitational collapse developed about 50 years ago. A key model for a black hole horizon is the so-called “marginally outer trapped surface” which has become the standard tool in determining the wave output during a merger via numerical simulations. However, the mathematical understanding of such a merging process is still incomplete and subject of this thesis project.
A good background on “Mathematical General Relativity” (in particular differential geometry, functional analysis and second order PDEs) is a basic requirement for the position. Riemannian aspects (metrics with positive signature and elliptic PDEs) will play a more important role than Lorentzian (hyperbolic) ones. As the black hole merging process is a bifurcation phenomenon, some acquaintance with bifurcation theory and calculus of variations would be an advantage. While the project will draw heavily upon information coming from recent numerical analysis, the candidate is not required to do numerical work herself/himself.
The advertised position is supervised by Walter Simon at the Faculty of Mathematics of the University of Vienna. The extent of employment is 30 hours per week for 3 years, starting June 1, 2022 or later.
The candidate must have a master degree (or equivalent) in Mathematics (or Theoretical/Mathematical Physics).
The application documents should contain a letter of motivation; the scientific CV with list of publications; higher education certificates/diplomas; and letter(s) of recommendation. Applications have to be sent to office[AT]vsmath.at, if possible in a single PDF file. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2022.