Leiden Observatory, the Kapteyn Laboratory (Groningen), and the Astronomical Institute in Nijmegen announce the continuation of the Nova Postdoctoral Fellowship Program and invite applications for fellowships to begin in the fall of 2013, or earlier.
The NOVA fellowship supports outstanding postdoctoral astronomers who are working in the general fields of galactic Structure, distant and nearby galaxies, the intergalactic medium or cosmology. The research may be observational, theoretical, or instrumental. The fellowship is open to applications from all nationalities. The fellowship will be tenable for three years, subject to a review during the second year. It is to be held at either Leiden Observatory, the Kapteyn Institute, or the Astronomical Institute in Nijmegen.
The NOVA fellowships are prestigious postdoctoral positions. NOVA fellows have the freedom to pursue their own research within the programme and will be provided with generous funding for travel and computers. Candidates should have a proven record of excellence in their research.
Astronomers in the Netherlands have access to a wide range of facilities, including ESO VLT, Alma, Westerbork, LOFAR, ING La Palma, HST, EVN, JCMT, Chandra, XMM, Spitzer, the national supercomputer, as well as comprehensive networks of workstations at their host institutes. Dutch astronomy has been selected as one of six `Top Research Schools' by the Dutch government, resulting in significant new funding. This is being used to invest in a vigorous new astronomical instrumentation programme, in staff positions, and to fund postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers .
Interested candidates should seek a sponsor at the host institution of their choice, and write a short (3-page) description of their proposed research programme. Together with CV, publication list and a description of past and present research, this should be submitted at http://jobs.strw.leidenuniv.nl/2012/nova. Applicants should arrange for three letters of recommendation to be submitted at the same address by the closing date for applications.
Further information, including descriptions of the research taking place at the participating institutes may be found at the websites listed below, or may be obtained by contacting Prof. Marijn Franx.
Applications will be accepted until December 17, 2012
