Contact: maarten.meent@nbi.ku.dkLocation: Copenhagen, Denmark
The Center of Gravity at the Niels Bohr Institute (NBI) invites expressions of interest for a PhD fellowship in gravitational-wave theory and solutions to the relativistic 2-body problem under the supervision of Maarten van de Meent. The preferred starting date is Fall 2025. To receive full consideration, interested candidates should upload the material requested below before December 31st, 2024. The search will remain open until the optimal candidates are found.
Successful candidates will join the GWSKy project, funded by an ERC Synergy Grant. We are particularly interested in hiring creative and highly motivated candidates who can work collaboratively in a vibrant, welcoming, and synergistic group. The ERC-funded project called “Making sense of the unexpected in the gravitational-wave sky (GWSky)” is led by PIs Maarten van de Meent (NBI, Copenhagen, Denmark), Enrico Barausse (SISSA, Trieste, Italy), Zvi Bern (University of California, Los Angeles, US), and Alessandra Buonanno (Albert Einstein Institute, Potsdam). Given the synergistic aspect of the GWSky project, we anticipate the possibility of PhD students having a co-supervisor at one of the other nodes, and for them having the opportunity to have extended visits there.
The aim of the GWSky project is to use gravitational-wave measurements by existing and future observatories on the Earth and in space as precision laboratories for fundamental physics, cosmology, and astrophysics. This includes the current LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA detectors, as well as the future ground-based observatories Cosmic Explorer and Einstein Telescope, and the space-based detector LISA. By leveraging the PIs and their team’s expertise, the GWSky project aims to develop a groundbreaking framework capable of solving the highly nonlinear equations of Einstein’s General theory of Relativity, creating waveform models with unprecedented accuracy, and translating these results into practical tools for interpreting the data.
Possible topics include: development of gravitational self-force methods at second order in the mass-ratio; incorporation of environmental and/or beyond GR effects in the self-force formalism; and utilization of self-force data to enhance effective-one-body waveform models.
The team will be hosted at the Center of Gravity, a new DNRF Center of Excellence located in the historical Niels Bohr Institute premises. This is part of a vigorous expansion at the Niels Bohr Institute into the field of Gravitational Physics, bringing together a number of scientists from several areas of theoretical physics and astrophysics and addressing some of the most burning questions related to gravity.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes expressions of interest from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background. PhD students at the University of Copenhagen receive a competitive salary (including pension) and funds for travel and computing. Generous parental leave, state-subsidized childcare, vacation, and full medical care are provided to employees in Denmark.
For any inquiries, kindly send an email to Maarten.Meent[AT]nbi.ku.dk, with email subject “PhD Fellowship in Gravitational Self-Force”
Expressions of interest can be filed here: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/29282