The gravitational physics division at Nikhef, the National Institute for Subatomic Physics in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, invites applications for a PhD studentship at the University of Amsterdam in gravitational waves, with an emphasis on using signals from coalescing binary objects (neutron stars and/or black holes) as “standard sirens” for cosmological measurements. The successful candidate will work with the groups of Prof. Dr. C. Van Den Broeck (Nikhef and Utrecht University), and of Dr. S. Nissanke (Nikhef and University of Amsterdam). The gravitational physics division at Nikhef (led by Prof. F. Linde) has close ties with gravitational wave researchers at universities and institutes across the Netherlands, which apart from instrumentalists includes astronomers, astrophysicists, and theorists, such as Baumann, Bertone, Caudill, Groot, Hinderer, Jonker, Levan, Moesta, and Nelemans. There is also vibrant collaboration with individuals and groups around the world.

For more information and an application form, see the link provided. Please be prepared to upload a cover letter, research statement, and curriculum vitae. Also, please separately arrange for least one reference who is willing to send a letter of recommendation on your behalf. The deadline for full consideration is 15 January 2020, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Further information can be obtained from Prof. Dr. C. Van Den Broeck (vdbroeck[AT]nikhef.nl) or Dr. S.M. Nissanke (samaya.nissanke[AT]uva.nl)

The gravitational physics division at Nikhef, the National Institute for Subatomic Physics in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, invites applications for a PhD studentship in gravitational wave astrophysics, with an emphasis on data analysis of signals from binary neutron star and neutron star-black hole coalescences. The successful candidate will be part of the team of data analysts and phenomenologists led by Prof. Dr. C. Van Den Broeck and Dr. S. Caudill, which currently consists of 4 postdocs and 4 PhD students and will grow substantially over the next year. In addition, the gravitational physics division at Nikhef (led by Prof. F. Linde) has close ties with gravitational wave researchers at universities and institutes across the Netherlands, which apart from instrumentalists includes astronomers, astrophysicists, and theorists, such as Baumann, Bertone, Groot, Hinderer, Jonker, Levan, Moesta, Nelemans, and Nissanke. There is also vibrant collaboration with individuals and groups around the world.

For more information and an application form, see the link provided. Please be prepared to upload a cover letter, publication list, and curriculum vitae including a brief description of your research interests. Also, please separately arrange for three references who are willing to send a letter of recommendation on your behalf. The deadline for full consideration is 15 January 2020, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Further information can be obtained from Prof. Dr. C. Van Den Broeck (vdbroeck[AT]nikhef.nl).

PhD fellowship in Gravitational-Wave Astronomy, Valencia, Spain

The Relativistic Astrophysics Group at the University of Valencia (Spain) invites applications for a four-year PhD fellowship in the field of gravitational-wave astronomy. The fellowship is funded by the R&D project “Computational Relativistic Astrophysics” (PGC2018-095984-B-I00) supported by the Spanish R+D+i Plan under the program “Ayudas para contratos predoctorales para la formacion de doctores 2019”. The Valencia group is one of the largest groups in Spain working on relativistic astrophysics, has strong connections with a number of gravity groups worldwide, and is part of the Virgo Collaboration.

The successful applicant will carry out research in topics such as the modelling of gravitational-wave sources through numerical-relativity techniques (compact binaries, core-collapse supernovae, exotic compact objects), data analysis, and parameter estimation.

Call details:

Spanish:
http://www.ciencia.gob.es/portal/site/MICINN/menuitem.dbc68b34d11ccbd5d52ffeb801432ea0/?vgnextoid=14d767e8fd8cd610VgnVCM1000001d04140aRCRD&lang_choosen=es

English:
http://www.ciencia.gob.es/portal/site/MICINN/menuitem.dbc68b34d11ccbd5d52ffeb801432ea0/?vgnextoid=14d767e8fd8cd610VgnVCM1000001d04140aRCRD&lang_choosen=en

Candidate requirements and documentation:

Applicants must be enrolled or admitted to a doctoral program for the 2019/2020 academic year at the time the application is submitted or will be at the time of the signature of the contract (around May 2020, max).

Applications can be submitted from October 17 to November 7, 2019. They have to be submitted online at the website of the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades:

https://sede.micinn.gob.es/ayudaspredoctorales/

Electronic signature of the application is mandatory for applicants residing in Spain.

The following documents must be included in the online application:

a) Copy of passport (only for non-Spanish citizens not living in Spain)
b) Curriculum Vitae (either in Spanish or English)
c) Academic degree certificate. It must list the qualifications obtained and the corresponding dates for all subjects. For certificates issued by foreign centers, it must also be stated which are the maximum and minimum qualifications within the corresponding evaluation system and what is the minimum qualification to pass. If the academic certification is issued in a language other than Spanish or English, it must be accompanied by the corresponding official translation into one of these two languages.

d) Statement that no predoctoral training has been initiated with other grants from previous calls of the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades and of not being in possession of a PhD degree, issued by any Spanish or foreign university.

e) Statement that the applicant has not been contracted as a PhD student for more than twelve months prior to the submission of his/her application.

For further information, please contact Prof. Jose Antonio Font (j.antonio.font[AT]uv.es).

PhD Fellowships in the High Energy Physics, Cosmology & Astrophysics Theory (HEPCAT) group at the University of Cape Town, South Africa

The High Energy Physics, Cosmology and Astrophysics Theory group in the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at the University of Cape Town (UCT) seeks highly qualified postdoctoral candidates to start in 2019. The group has 2 core faculty members – Amanda Weltman and Shajid Haque and associate members include Jeff Murugan, Jon Shock, Julien Larena, Will Horowitz and Kurt van der Heyden.

We will consider all eligible candidates, however the priority research areas will be 21 cm cosmology, FRBs, probing modified gravity theories with gravitational waves.

The successful candidate(s) will have the opportunity to join and train on the Hydrogen Intensity and Real-time Analysis eXperiment (HIRAX), a new radio telescope array currently under construction in South Africa, that has science goals of 21cm cosmology, transients, pulsars, and hydrogen absorbers. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to work on a combination of radio hardware design and integration, instrument characterisation, simulations and forecasting, and analysis techniques for large data sets. There are additional opportunities to perform joint work within other group research areas, including amplitudes in astrophysics, machine learning and theoretical cosmology more broadly.

A Masters degree in a related field (physics, astronomy or applied mathematics) is a prerequisite.
Applicants should please send 1 pdf file including your CV, publications if any, academic transcripts and a brief statement of your research interests, and arrange to have three letters of reference e-mailed to Professor Amanda Weltman – Amanda.weltman[AT]uct.ac.za by 15 July, 2019, for full consideration.

The University of Cape Town: reserves the right to disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications, and reserves the right to change the conditions of award, and/or to make no awards at all. UCT is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress. Our Employment Equity Policy is available
http://www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/about/policies/eepolicy.pdf

Theory Group in National Centre for Nuclear Research invites applications for Ph.D. student positions in gravity and cosmology. The positions are supposed to be filled after 1st of October 2019 and last for up to 4 years. The positions are funded by the National Science Centre, Poland with decision 2018/30/E/ST2/00370. The successful candidates will work in the area of classical and quantum cosmology with emphasis on such aspects as perturbation theory in anisotropic cosmological backgrounds, singularity resolution, semiclassical methods and use of observational data. The goal of the funded project is to develop a novel model explaining the origin of the primordial Universe and its structures. The monthly stipend is 4500PLN (not subject to income tax, a small sum will be deducted to cover health insurance). Necessary resources including some travel funds will be available to the appointees.

The deadline for applications is 31 July 2019. Applications should be submitted via the Doctoral School online application portal https://gs.ncbj.gov.pl. The applicant will need to provide CV, College diploma, College transcripts, a statement of research interests and achievements, and optionally other information that may strengthen his or her application. In the application form one should indicate either “Modelling the Evolution of the Primordial Universe” or “Quantum origin of the primordial structure in the Universe” as the research topic.

For details please visit the Doctoral School webpage http://gradschool.ncbj.gov.pl or contact the PI, dr. Przemyslaw Malkiewicz Przemyslaw.Malkiewicz[at]ncbj.gov.pl.

The new Research Training Group (RTG) 2522 “Strong Dynamics and Criticality in Quantum and Gravitational Systems” jointly hosted at the Institutes for Theoretical Physics at Friedrich Schiller University Jena and at Leipzig University offers 12 PhD positions, available 1 October 2019 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The RTG 2522 offers a structured PhD program on the basis of a research program at the interface of quantum field theory and gravitational theory. Preferably, the candidates should have a strong background in quantum field theory and/or general relativity and corresponding theoretical, mathematical, and computational methods. Participating principal investigators of the RTG include M. Ammon, S. Bernuzzi, B. Bruegmann, D. Cadamuro, H. Gies, S. Hollands, R. Meinel, B. Rosenow, R. Verch, and A. Wipf. More information about the research program of RTG 2522 can be found on the website: http://RTG2522.gitpages.tpi.uni-jena.de/portfolio/, see also https://www.physik.uni-jena.de/tpi (TPI Jena) and http://www.physik.uni-leipzig.de (ITP Leipzig).

Employment conditions: to qualify for the position, applicants must hold a Master’s degree or a Diploma in Physics or Mathematics.

Applicants should submit (preferably via E-mail and as a single PDF document) a curriculum vitae, a brief description of research interests, a transcript of records, a certificate of the master’s degree (or a statement concerning when it is due), and arrange for 1-2 reference letters. Important: In your cover letter, please state your preferences for one or more principal investigators, acting as supervisors for the corresponding PhD projects.

Selected candidates will receive a three-year position according to the German public service salary scale (E13 TV-L 65%). The RTG wants to promote women in science and is particularly looking forward to receiving applications by qualified female candidates. Applications of handicapped people will be given preference in the selection among equivalently qualified competitors.

Correspondence address:
Prof. Dr. Holger Gies, TPI, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, D-07743 Jena, Germany, E-mail: RTG2522[AT]uni-jena.de.

The Relativistic Astrophysics group of the University of Valencia (Spain) offers a three-year PhD fellowship funded by the “Programa Santiago Grisolia – Generalitat Valenciana” to carry out research on gravitational-wave astronomy. The candidate is expected to work in the study of gravitational waves from fundamental bosonic fields and exotic compact objects. PhD supervisors will be Drs. Jose Antonio Font and Pablo Cerda-Duran.

Candidates must hold a University Degree in Physics issued by a non-Spanish institution. The degree must have been obtained after January 1st 2015. Foreign degrees/diplomas must be recognised by the Spanish Higher Education system. Good knowledge of either Spanish or English is mandatory. Previous experience on numerical relativity is highly recommended, particularly in the context of the research topic.

Deadline for application: May 20, 2019.

Call details (in Spanish):

https://www.uv.es/uvweb/servicio-recursos-humanos-pas/es/personal-investigacion/convocatorias/investigador-formacion/cpi-19-145-1285931506678/ConvPASInves.html?id=1286075091060

For additional information please contact:

Prof. Jose Antonio Font, j.antonio.font[AT]uv.es

GSI Helmholtzzentrum fuer Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt operates one of the leading particle accelerators for science. In the next few years, the new FAIR (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research) one of the world’s largest research projects, will be built in international cooperation. GSI and FAIR offer the opportunity to work together in this international environment with a team of employees committed to ensuring each day to conduct world-class science.

In the division of “Theory” we are looking for a Physicist (m/f) in the field of Theoretical Astrophysics part time (66%) Posting ID:1840-19.53 to strengthen our team.

The project is funded by the Collaborative Research Center 881 “The Milky Way System” (CRC881). The CRC881 aims at a better understanding of the evolution of the Milky Way components including their nucleosynthetic enrichment by heavy elements. The successful candidate will perform numerical simulations of neutron star mergers using a general relativistic hydrodynamics tool to understand the contribution of these events to the Galactic enrichment. The project offers collaborative work with other groups at GSI and other institutes in Europe and the possibility of preparing a PhD thesis. The group is closely connected to the Heidelberg University (https://www.uni-heidelberg.de), where the candidate will be offered to defend his/her doctoral work.

Requirements: The candidate has successfully completed a scientific study of physics, diploma or Master of Science or equivalent. Verg good skills in programming and scientific computing are expected. Experience in neutrino physics, hydrodynamics, radiation transport, general relativity and/or nuclear physics is very desirable.

The position is limited to a term of 3 years. Salary is equivalent to that for public employees as specified in the collective agreement for public employees (TVoeD Bund). In an international research environment, we offer competent supervision and contribution to a very interesting research field.

GSI supports the vocational development of women. Therefore women are especially encouraged to apply for the position.

Handicapped persons will be preferentially considered when equally qualified.

For any questions please contact PD Dr. Andreas Bauswein (a.bauswein[at]gsi.de; Tel. 0 61 59 / 71 2693).

Further information about FAIR and GSI is available at www.gsi.de and www.fair-center.eu.

If you find this position interesting and challenging and would like to work in an exceptional, international, scientific environment, please submit your CV with two referee contacts, with information of your earliest possible starting date and the reference number above to the following address by 24.05.2019 to

GSI Helmholtzzentrum fuer Schwerionenforschung GmbH
ABTEILUNG PERSONAL
PLANCKSTRASSE 1
64291 DARMSTADT

or by email to: bewerbung[at]gsi.de

We are seeking for an outstanding, highly motivated PhD candidate for a joint CFisUC, Universidade de Coimbra (Coimbra)/ CENTRA, Instituto Superior Tecnico (Lisbon) position under the supervision of Dr. Violetta Sagun and Prof. Ilidio Lopes on equation of state of compact stars, properties of strongly interacting matter and its phase transitions.

Interested candidates should upload through the IDPASC Network (https://www.idpasc.lip.pt) a curriculum vitae, a motivation letter, other documents that the candidate may consider relevant (diplomas, certificates etc..) and and up to three contacts for reference letters. The reference letters will be directly uploaded by the referees. Applicants will not have access to the letters content but they will be able to check if the reference letters have been uploaded and when. The Referees can upload the letters during the whole period of the Call.

Candidates should hold either a pre-Bologna degree, or a pre-/post-Bologna Master’s degree at the time of application. Students must complete the Master degree until 07th June, 2019.

Foreign degrees/diplomas are required to be recognised by the General Directorate of Higher Education or by a Portuguese higher education institution, in accordance with the Decree Law no. 341/2007, of 12 October and the Decree Law no. 283/83, of 21st June. http://www.dges.mec.pt/en/pages/naric_pages/academic_recognition/recognition_foreign_qualifications.html

Deadline for application: 18th April, 17h00 (Lisbon time).

Call details: https://idpasc.lip.pt/uploads/call/terms_file/9/IDPASC_Call_2019.pdf

For additional information:
Dr. Violetta Sagun, violetta.sagun[AT]uc.pt

Two fellowships are available for Ph.D. studies at the Institute for Theoretical Physics, Wroclaw University, Poland. These fellowships require that the candidate fulfills the requirements for being accepted as a Ph.D. student at the Faculty of Physics of the Wroclaw University and that of International Max Planck Research School in Dresden, Germany.

The research themes are:

* Spectral Functions for Strongly Coupled Superfluids: from Ultra-Cold Gases to Dense Quark Matter
* Relativistic Hydrodynamics from Projection Operator Formalism

The applicants should submit for pre-selection a CV and other credentials to: asedrakian[AT]itf.uni.wroc.pl

The School of Physics at UNSW Sydney has two openings for PhD positions in Theoretical Cosmology.
The successful PhD candidates will work under the supervision of Dr. Ema Dimastrogiovanni on topics in theoretical cosmology, including primordial gravitational waves, inflation, reheating and cosmic microwave background physics.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and a curriculum vitae, and arrange for two letters of recommendation to be sent to the same email address. Applicants must also provide evidence of English ability that meets the UNSW English language requirements (see https://www.unsw.edu.au/english-requirements-policy).

The internal selection deadline for application and recommendation letters is April 22.

The Department of Mathematics at Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands) is seeking an outstanding, highly motivated PhD candidate to work on a project in geometric analysis and mathematical general relativity. In particular, you will consider (weak) solutions of the Einstein equations and their global geometry. The position is part of a larger research programme and associated with Dr. Annegret Burtscher. You should hold an MSc in Mathematics (or a related discipline with a strong mathematical component) by the starting date. Applications from candidates with a suitable background in analysis, differential geometry and/or general relativity are particularly welcome. Proficiency in spoken and written English is essential.

The duration of the contract is 4 years and includes a light teaching load. Upon successful completion you will be awarded a PhD from Radboud University. You will be encouraged to attend and contribute to international scientific meetings.

The Department of Mathematics is part of the Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics (IMAPP). IMAPP has a friendly and open atmosphere, and a strong expertise in mathematical physics and analysis.

Please submit your application by April 14, 2019 through the online form on the webpage and include a letter of motivation, a CV, a transcript of records, an abstract of your Master’s thesis (if applicable) and contact details of two academic reference writers: https://www.ru.nl/werken/details/details_vacature_0/?recid=601898

We encourage applications from underrepresented groups in STEM. The starting date of the position is expected in August 2019, but negotiable.

Interviews are likely to be held in April 2019, but applications will be considered until the position is filled.

For additional information:
Dr. Annegret Burtscher, burtscher[AT]math.ru.nl
IMAPP, https://www.ru.nl/imapp

The LESIA department of Paris Observatory is strongly involved in the GRAVITY project, aiming at observing the surroundings of the Galactic center black hole Sgr A* with exquisite astrometric precision by means of combining the infrared light collected by the 4 unit telescopes at the Very Large Telescope. The main scientific goal of this instrument is to explain the flares of Sgr A*, these bursts of radiation frequently observed in the vicinity of Sgr A*. Flares are certainly a perfect probe of the extreme astrophysics that takes place close to supermassive black holes, and might also be used as a probe of the strong curvature of spacetime close to Sgr A*.

The GRAVITY team at LESIA is offering a PhD position for working on the development of models of Sgr A* flares that will be used for interpreting the current and near-future GRAVITY data. All details on the topic and how to apply can be found at this URL: http://www.adum.fr/as/ed/voirproposition.pl?langue=fr&site=aaif&matricule_prop=23606

Note that funding of this PhD topic is not yet secured, and depends on the quality of the candidates. The final choice depends on the Paris Doctoral School for Astronomy and Astrophysics. Deadline for application is April 26th 2019.

Cosmology models the behaviour of our universe in terms of a small set of descriptive variables; the scale factor, Hubble parameter, relative shear expansions etc. From Einstein’s equations, we can calculate the equations of motion of these systems and find their evolution. The complete behaviour can be described in terms of dynamical systems arising from a Hamiltonian and expressed as a flow on phase space. All these descriptions rely upon factors which cannot be explicitly measured by an observer within the universe at all times. In recent work, I have shown that under certain conditions these can be extended beyond the initial singularity. One key aspect of your project will be to examine the nature of singularities in relational systems.

The goal of this project will be to develop a complete description of cosmological systems which relies only upon relational measurements and find their cosmological completions. You will develop skills in differential geometry (particularly symplectic geometry) and numerical methods alongside a strong understanding of physical systems. You will gain significant insight into the nature of singularities in general relativity and the geometry of mathematical physics.

The Physics Department is the holder of an Athena SWAN Silver award and JUNO Championship status and is strongly committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our department.

The PhD starting date is 1 October 2019. Funding is for 3.5 years and is available to citizens of the UK and the European Union.

SISSA (International School for Advanced Studies, Trieste, Italy) invites applications for several PhD positions in astrophysics, cosmology and astroparticle physics. Application may be submitted here

https://www.sissa.it/bandi/concorso-lammissione-ai-corsi-di-phd-della-sissa-lanno-accademico-201920-announcements

See also announcement here: https://www.sissa.it/system/files/bandi/Bando%20English%20201920%20general%20.pdf

Candidates interested in the astrophysics of LISA and pulsar timing arrays, in LISA data analysis, and more generally in gravitational wave physics are especially encouraged to apply for the ***Astroparticle physics*** positions. The deadline for applications is March 12, with oral and written exams on March 25-26, 2019.

The numerical relativity group at the University of Jena invites applications for a PhD position starting in April 2019.

The position is associated with the research group of Prof. Bernd Bruegmann at the Theoretical Physics Institute. It is part of the recent research initiative of the Michael Stifel Center Jena (MSCJ) for Digitization in the Sciences. The candidate is expected to work on the topic of “Deep Learning for Gravitational Wave Data Analysis”. There is the opportunity to participate in a wide range of research activities. Candidates with a background in gravitational wave science or associated computational and mathematical methods including machine learning are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants should have a strong background in at least one of the above topics, and be strongly motivated to learn the others.

Applications should consist of a single PDF file including: (i) a letter of interest and (ii) a brief CV. Please submit your application per email with Reg.-Nr. 029/2019-P6 as the subject until February 15th, 2019, to
Lisann Schmidt, lisann.schmidt[AT]uni-jena.de

Interviews are likely to be held in February 2019, but applications will be considered until the position is filled.

For additional information:

Theoretical Physics Institute
http://www.tpi.uni-jena.de

Michael Stifel Center Jena for Data-Driven and Simulation Science
http://www.mscj.uni-jena.de/

The High-Energy Astrophysics group of the Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Tuebingen (IAAT) invites applications for a

PhD position (3 years, starting date 01.05.2019)

in the context of indirect dark matter search program performed at the University of Tuebingen.

Within the program, we analyze all-sky searches for a signal from astrophysical decaying / annihilating dark matter in the X-ray and gamma-ray bands. The project is focused on searches of two main dark-matter candidate particles, namely sterile neutrino and massive WIMPs, and includes both, theoretical and data analysis aspects.

The successful candidate is expected to participate in the development of the model of expected emission from decaying/annihilating dark matter. The project also includes the analysis of the data of modern X-ray and gamma-ray satellites (including XMM-Newton and Fermi/LAT) and the interpretation of obtained results.

Applicants are required to have a diploma, master or equivalent university degree in astrophysics or physics.

The position is available starting May, 1st, 2019, a later starting date can be negotiated. The salary is based upon the German federal public service scale (50% of E13 TV-L). The process of hiring the selected candidate is handled by the Central Administration of the University.

The University seeks to raise the number of women in research and teaching and therefore urges qualified women to apply. Severely handicapped persons will be preferentially considered in case of equivalent qualifications.

Please send your application before February, 20th, 2019 together with a CV, copies of diploma, M.A., or related certificates, and the names and email addresses of two references electronically to Prof. Andrea Santangelo (andrea.santangelo[at]uni-tuebingen.de ) and Dr. Denys Malyshev (denys.malyshev[at]astro.uni-tuebingen.de)

GRAPPA, the center of excellence in Gravitation and Astroparticle Physics of the University of Amsterdam has an opening for a PhD position in Gravitational Wave physics in Dr Samaya Nissanke’s group. The group is active in diverse sub-field including multi-messenger astronomy, data analysis, theory, and modeling, and is involved in the Virgo collaboration, the LISA consortium, and 3G science case, and several international electromagnetic follow-up groups. The successful candidate will work primarily on topics in source modeling with Drs. Tanja Hinderer and Samaya Nissanke, with the focus of the projects being open and depending on the candidate’s interests.

Projects can range from theoretical perturbative approaches to relativistic two-body dynamics, waveform modeling through combining information from analytical and numerical relativity, tests of General Relativity, black holes, neutron-star matter, dark matter, exotic objects and physics beyond the standard model, multi-messenger astrophysics and cosmology. The successful applicant will also work in close collaboration with the groups of Dr Philipp Moesta (multimessenger astrophysics), Prof. Daniel Baumann (cosmology), Prof. Gianfranco Bertone (dark matter), and Prof. Anna Watts (neutron stars). We encourage applications from underrepresented groups in STEM.

The University of Bonn, Germany, invites applications for a PhD fellowship in history and philosophy of physics. The position will provide an outstanding early-career scholar with a unique opportunity to pursue research in collaboration with the other members of the new Lichtenberg group in integrated history and philosophy of physics.

The focus of the group during the first five years will be an analysis of the history and conceptual foundations of gravitational physics since Einstein found the field equations of general relativity in 1915; a particular focus will be on black hole physics and gravitational wave physics.

Applications from candidates with a suitable background in philosophy of physics, history of physics or indeed gravitational physics itself, would be particularly welcome.

The newly formed Emmy Noether research group at the University of Tuebingen, is seeking applications for a PhD position starting in Fall 2019. The group is part of the Theoretical Astrophysics section (TAT) at Tuebingen. The research focus of the successful applicant will be on testing strong-field regime of gravity with gravitational waves; models and dynamics of neutron stars and black holes in modified theories of gravity. The position is for three years.

The topic of the Emmy Noether research group is on “Gravitational waves from compact objects – a tool for testing strong gravity and nuclear matter at extreme densities ” with a group leader Dr. Daniela Doneva. In a broader perspective, the activities of TAT group, led by Prof. Kostas Kokkotas, are related to the study of sources of gravitational waves with emphasis on the dynamics of neutron stars and black holes. The TAT group currently consists of four (4) post-doctoral researchers, three (3) PhD students and seven (7) MSc students.

Further information on the Theoretical Astrophysics Group can be found here.

The salary will be paid according to the German public service scale. Applications, including curriculum vitae, list of publications (if any), statement of research interests and experience, and the names (address, e-mail) of two potential referees should be sent via email to

Dr. Daniela Doneva
E-mail: daniela.doneva[AT]uni-tuebingen.de

The deadline for full consideration is February 15th, 2019, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

University of Tuebingen seeks to increase the fraction of female scientists in research and teaching and particularly encourages applications from women. Disabled candidates are given preference if equally qualified.

The Laboratory of Theoretical Physics at the Institute of Physics of the University of Tartu, Estonia is looking for candidates to apply for a 4-year PhD / doctorate position. The topics of interest focus upon extensions to general relativity and modified gravity, including:
— mathematical foundations of gravity,
— modifications to the geometry of spacetime,
— gravity theories based on Finsler, Cartan, Weizenboeck or Riemann-Cartan geometry,
— gravity theories including multiple metrics,
— gravity theories including torsion,
— (multi-)scalar-tensor and related gravity theories,
— phenomenology of modified gravity, including gravitational waves, black holes, galaxies,
— cosmological aspects of modified gravity.
The position depends on external funding and the applications will be processed in two stages. In the first stage, all applications will be reviewed by the gravity research group at the University of Tartu. Then the selected candidates and the University of Tartu will apply for funding. The final decision on the funding will be made by the respective agencies.

The position will be held in conjunction with the Estonian centre of excellence in research “The Dark Side of the Universe” (TK133) and the grants “Gauge gravity: unification, extensions and phenomenology” (PRG356) and Energy conditions and singularities in the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity (MOBJD423), and aligned with the “Cosmology and Astrophysics Network for Theoretical Advances and Training Actions” (CANTATA).

The PhD position is supported with a scholarship of 1100 EUR per month. The supervisor of the PhD position will be Tomi Koivisto. Applicants must have a masters degree or equivalent. Applications for the postdoctoral position must include:
— curriculum vitae,
— diploma of masters degree or equivalent,
— summary of research experience and a statement of interests up to two pages,
— one letter of recommendation (to be sent separately).

The deadline for the PhD application is Monday, 15. January 2019, 05:59 GMT.

All applications for the aforementioned position must be submitted electronically via the form on the linked homepage. All documents from the applicant, except for the recommendation letters, must be combined into a single PDF file of at most 8 MB size. The recommendation letters must be uploaded separately, and also in the PDF format.

The Theoretical Astrophysics section (TAT) at the University of Tuebingen has an opening for one PhD position starting from 1st of October 2019.

The successful applicant will carry out original research focusing on the dynamics of rotating and/or magnetized neutron stars in relation to the emission of gravitational waves.

The position is for three years. The salary will be paid according to the German public service scale. The research activities of TAT are related to the study of sources of gravitational waves with emphasis on the dynamics of neutron stars and black holes. The group currently consists of four (4) post-doctoral researchers, three (3) PhD students and seven (7) MSc students.

PhD positions in “Extreme Gravity and Matter” at AEI-Potsdam

The Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute, AEI) in Potsdam, Germany, announces the opening of several PhD positions in “Extreme Gravity and Matter”.

Successful candidates will pursue research in the “Astrophysical and Cosmological Relativity” division, led by Alessandra Buonanno, and the newly established “Computational Relativistic Astrophysics” division, led by Masaru Shibata. Currently the two divisions are composed of about 30-35 scientists, including group leaders, Jonathan Gair (as of Spring 2019), Kenta Kiuchi (as of January 2019) and Harald Pfeiffer, about 22 postdoctoral scholars and 6 graduate students. The divisions also host several long and short-term visitors

Given the breadth of research in those divisions, PhD theses will cover a variety of topics in gravitational-wave astrophysics and fundamental physics, such as: i) theoretical gravitational dynamics and radiation (within post-Newtonian theory, post-Minkowskian theory, gravitational self-force, black-hole perturbation theory, and effective-one-body theory), ii) compact-object binary simulations, iii) waveform modelling at the interface between analytical and numerical relativity, iv) gravitational-wave observations and astrostatistics, v) cosmological and astrophysical interpretation of gravitational waves, vi) tests of General Relativity, vii) neutron star mergers and high-energy astrophysics, viii) neutron-star equation of state, ix) formation of compact objects, and x) multi-messenger astronomy.

The two divisions have close partnerships with the Department of Physics at the University of Maryland and the Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics at Kyoto University. Members of the groups have the opportunity to join the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and the LISA Consortium through Buonanno’s membership, and also participate to build the science case for third generation (3G) ground-based detectors (Einstein Telescope and Cosmic Explorer).

The two research divisions at the AEI operate three high-performance computer clusters to carry out source modeling and data-analysis studies, and to run numerical-relativity simulations of binary black holes, compact objects with matter, and the core collapse of massive stars.

Successful applicants will conduct their research projects at the AEI in Potsdam, and they will have to enrol and receive their PhD degree from either the University of Potsdam or the Humboldt University in Berlin. The expected duration of the PhD program is three years, and can be extended to four years in cases of exception. Applicants are required to have a Masters degree by the start of the PhD program.

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The deadline for full consideration is January 14th , 2018. Applications will be considered until all positions are filled.

The Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics is an equal opportunity employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.