Postdoc: Nuclear Astrophysics and Dense Matter with Gravitational Wave and Multi-messenger Datasets

Are you exceptionally interested in gravitational wave and multi-messenger astrophysics to constrain nuclear physics using neutron star binary mergers? We are seeking a postdoctoral research fellow to lead an interdisciplinary research program on nuclear physics using gravitational wave and multi-messenger observations. The successful candidate will be embedded in the GRAPPA center of excellence in gravitation and astroparticle physics, be an active member of the NWO ENW-XL collaboration on “Looking at the strong nuclear interaction from all angles” and be an active member of the Virgo Collaboration and various time domain surveys (Rubin Observatory etc).

What are you going to do?

You are expected to perform exciting innovative research in the field of nuclear astrophysics using gravitational wave and multi-messenger datasets. You are expected to publish your results in peer-reviewed international journals. Teaching and the supervision of Bachelor and Master students will not be part of your duties, but you will have the opportunity to interact with a vibrant community of young researchers, and to give guest lectures for students at the MSc level if you wish to do so.

Candidates should have PhD, or expect to obtain it before January 1st, 2025. They should also have a strong publication record, professional command of English, and have demonstrated excellent research skills. Candidates with previous research experience in gravitational wave astronomy and/or nuclear astrophysics, as well as with a track record in interdisciplinary research will be given additional consideration.

Your profile

Your experience and profile:

• PhD in astronomy/astrophysics/gravitational physics;

• committed researcher, demonstrated by publications in international refereed academic journals and academic publishers;
• interest in requiring funding for research projects through government agencies or the private sector;
• flexible, readiness to participate in interdisciplinary cooperation and multidisciplinary development (verifiably focused on collaboration with astronomers, gravitational wave theory and data analysis, X-ray and other time-domain astronomical observations, high energy physics theory and phenomenology, nuclear astrophysics);
• professional command of English

Our offer

We offer a temporary employment contract for  38 hours per week for a period of 23 months (with a probationary period of two months). The preferred starting date is as soon as possible.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,345 to € 5,278 (scale 10).This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

About us

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Institute of Physics (IoP) is located in the center of the Amsterdam Science Park. The IoP – as part of the Faculty of Science – is housed in a modern building with excellent labs and technical facilities. Surrounded by several national research institutes and with our partners at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the institute is part of a strong physics center of international standing. One of the institutes that the IoP has very close ties to is Nikhef, the national institute for subatomic physics in The Netherlands. The present vacancy is embedded in the Nikhef gravitational wave group.

The center of excellence in Gravitation and Astroparticle Physics (GRAPPA) is connected to the Institute of Physics and the Anton Pannekoek Institute at the University of Amsterdam as well as Nikhef. GRAPPA researchers have wide research interests, including dark matter phenomenology, cosmic rays, high-energy astrophysics, cosmology, black holes physics, gravitational waves, and string theory. It also includes experimental physicists active in the Antares/KM3NeT, ATLAS, CTA, LOFAR, and XENON1T collaborations. The successful candidate would be an active member of the LISA consortium and work closely with colleagues in GRAPPA, Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy, the gravitational wave group and GRASP Institute at Utrecht University. In addition, the successful candidate would be a member of the Nikhef gravitational wave group, and has the possibility to be a member of the Virgo Collaboration and the Einstein Telescope Collaboration, the LISA consortium, the Rubin Observatory/LSST collaborations, as well as have ample opportunities to collaborate with various time-domain observational groups.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Dr Samaya Nissanke, associate professor in gravitational wave and multi-messenger astrophysics,
• Email: s.m.nissanke@uva.nl

Job application

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. We accept applications until and including 20 October 2024.

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):

• a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
• a letter of motivation;
• a list of publications;
• the names and email addresses of three references who can provide letters of recommendation.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.
(for details: national knowledge security guidelines)

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

The interviews will be held in the course of November 2024.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.