Postdoctoral Fellow in Fundamental Physics from Populations of Compact Object Mergers (2)

Ref. No. SU FV-3709-22

at the Department of Physics . Closing date: 15 Jan 2023.

The Department of Physics is one of the biggest departments within the Faculty of Science and supports a broad range of basic research in experimental and theoretical physics. It has about 250 employees of which 95 are PhD students. Many have been internationally recruited. The Department is part of the AlbaNova University Center, which apart from the Department of Physics houses the Department of Astronomy, the Physics Departments at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), and the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics (Nordita). 

The Department of Physics and Stockholm University is affiliated to Stockholm Dual Career Network (SDCN) that supports expat partners with professional events, career-related advice and by building a social network in their new hometown. www.sdcn.se/

Project description
We are searching for individuals to conduct original research on developing scalable gravitational wave data analysis methods for the efficient scientific exploitation of populations of compact object mergers in the LIGO A+ era. The candidate will work with Hiranya Peiris, Daniel Mortlock and external collaborator Samaya Nissanke (UvA). Up to two positions are available, funded by the Swedish Research Council and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. Applicants will be members of the European Research Council Advanced Grant CosmicExplorer project, led by Hiranya Peiris. They will also benefit from a vibrant local environment in multimessenger astrophysics and cosmology; faculty with related interests include Ariel Goobar, Stephan Rosswog, Jesper Sollerman and Anders Jerkstrand.

The candidates will be part of the Oskar Klein Centre for Cosmoparticle Physics (www.okc.albanova.se/ ) in Stockholm, a rich scientific environment that comprises more than a hundred researchers working in both theory and experiment in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics and particle physics at both Stockholm University and the Royal Institute for Technology. The OKC hosts a vibrant research program on dark matter, dark energy, transient and multimessenger astrophysics, galaxy evolution, structure formation, and related particle physics questions. Postdoctoral associates are also welcome to participate in Scientific Programs at Nordita, the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics, which bring together groups of leading experts to work on specific topics for extended periods.

Main responsibilities
The positions involve original research in gravitational wave and multimessenger astrophysics and cosmology, broadly related to testing fundamental physics in the LIGO A+era. Responsibilities will include the development and application of advanced statistical inference and machine learning techniques for the analysis of compact object merger populations, taking into account selection effects and systematic biases. A particular focus relates to the use of machine learning techniques for accelerating forward-modelling and density estimation. There will be opportunities to engage with the design of optical follow-up strategies with LSST and other facilities and derive the relevant EM selection functions.

Qualification requirements
Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria
The degree must have been completed at latest before the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the closing date. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances. Special reasons refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.
In the appointment process, special attention will be given to research skills in one or more of: gravitational wave data analysis, Bayesian inference, numerical methods and programming and machine-learning modelling.

Terms of employment
The position involves full-time employment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date by 1 October 2023 or as per agreement.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
Further information about the position can be obtained from the Head of the Department, Jan Conrad, telephone: +46 8 55 37 87 69, [email protected] , or Hiranya Peiris, [email protected] .

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, [email protected] , Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/Lärarförbundet), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, [email protected] , and [email protected] (SEKO).

Application
Apply for the position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills

Contact details for 2–3 references
Important: Your academic referees should send us recommendation letters via email to: [email protected] and state in the subject line: SU FV-3709-22 + name of the applicant.

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
• Research proposal (no more than 3 pages) describing:
  – why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement
  – why and how you wish to complete the project
  – what makes you suitable for the project in question
• Copy of PhD diploma
• Publications in support of your application (no more than 3 files).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position .

You are welcome to apply!

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.

URL to this page
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