Postdoctoral Position on Fast Radio Burst in the AstroFlash Group

We invite applications to join the AstroFlash research group as a 2-year junior postdoctoral researcher at the Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy (API) of the University of Amsterdam, advised by Dr. Ziggy Pleunis. This position could be extended up to a maximum of 4 years in total, if additional funds will become available in the research group.

The AstroFlash group is focused on the study of the fast radio bursts (FRBs), which are impulses of radio waves that last for only a fraction of a second and that are detectable over extragalactic distances. The origin of FRBs remains elusive, though various types of highly magnetized compact objects, e.g. magnetars, are favoured candidate sources. A small fraction of FRBs has been observed to repeat and the most hyperactive of repeating FRB sources produce up to hundreds of detectable bursts per hour.

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher who is excited about revolutionizing our understanding of how the local environments of FRBs are connected to their activity and burst properties, which will both help understand the nature of FRBs and make them better astrophysical tools to study the Universe at large.

You will have the opportunity to join the CHIME/FRB collaboration and make use of world-class data from the CHIME/FRB experiment and its "Outriggers" upgrade and/or contribute to commensal searches for fast radio transients with the LOFAR 2.0 telescope.

Though our focus is on radio observations, we also welcome applications from more theoretically minded astrophysicists that could support observational activities in the research group with theoretical or computational modeling of FRBs and their environments.

What are you going to do?

You will be a member of the AstroFlash research group, which is hosted at API/UvA as well as McGill University (Canada), ASTRON (Netherlands), and JIVE (Netherlands);

• You will devise a research plan together with your advisor, conduct research, and publish research results in the area of fast radio transients;
• You will collaborate with other faculty members, postdocs, and students in the AstroFlash research group as well as international collaborators;
• You will have the opportunity to co-advise research projects of PhD, MSc and BSc students;
• You will write or assist in writing research proposals;
• You will contribute to creating an open, safe and inclusive working environment.

Your profile

• A completed PhD in radio astronomy and/or high-energy astrophysics or a related field on arrival;
• A committed researcher, demonstrated by previous research experiences, publications and  presentations at international conferences;
• The ability and willingness to collaborate and adapt in a team;
• Good communication skills in oral and written English.

Our offer

We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for a period of 12 months, to be started no later than 1 September 2025, that will be extended for another 12 months upon satisfactory performance. 

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 UFO profile Onderzoekers  is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and stimulating 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;

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 Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy  (API) furthers research, teaching and public understanding of astronomy. It conducts astronomical research and trains astronomers from bachelor to postdoctoral level, aiming at world-leading levels and activities.

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: Ziggy Pleunis, Assistant Professor, z.pleunis@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 29 November 2024.

Applications should include the following information (all files including 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 list of publications, conference proceedings, and presentations;
• a letter of motivation (up to 1 page);
• a research statement, which describes past and current research and your scientific interests (up to 1 page);
• Two letters of reference to be sent via email to z.pleunis@uva.nl

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 December.