Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research position to work on problems related to the initial mass function of stellar populations of galaxies at the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute.
This position combines work on the X-Shooter Spectral Library (XSL) project, an ESO Large Programme collecting NUV-optical-NIR moderate-resolution spectra of roughly 800 stars with the X-Shooter spectrograph at ESO's VLT, with work on the separation of dark and luminous mass in early-type galaxies using X-Shooter (the XLENS survey). XSL is led by Trager and Peletier (Kapteyn), Lancon (Strasbourg), and Vazdekis (IAC), and the XLENS survey is led by Koopmans, Spiniello, and Trager (Kapteyn). The successful candidate will collaborate with the group of Trager on making models of the spectra of galaxies in which both the initial mass function of (low-mass) stars and the chemical composition of the stars can vary, based on the XSL spectra. Experience in stellar atmosphere and/or stellar population modeling is strongly desirable.
The appointment will be for two years initially but can be renewed for a third year in case of satisfactory performance. The successful candidate must have a PhD by the (negotiable) starting date of 1 September 2013. Please submit applications electronically to S.C.Trager@astro.rug.nl. Applicants should send an application letter, CV including a list of publications, and a brief research statement. Candidates should also arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent directly to the above email address. The application review process will begin 15 January 2013 and will continue until the position has been filled.
Full benefits will be provided at the level of Dutch civil servants (scale 11: see http://www.vsnu.nl/web/file?uuid=7249f77b-2a75-41b8-863b-f9cce24d5f65&ow...).
