The Infrared Group of the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Garching (near Munich), Germany invites applications for postdoctoral research associates. Our research centers on near-infrared, far-infrared and millimeter, high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy of the Galactic Center and star forming galaxies in the early Universe, and on extragalactic infrared and millimeter interferometric CO surveys. We study star formation, gas content, physical properties and dynamics of high-z galaxies, and black hole formation and evolution. This research is supported by a major program of innovative infrared instrumentation development. We have built the SPIFFI NIR integral-field spectrograph for SINFONI, the PARSEC Laser and are participating in KMOS, the upcoming near-IR multi-IFU all for the ESO VLT. We are commissioning and routinely using LUCIFER, twin NIR camera/spectrographs with MOS capability for seeing- and diffraction-limited observations at the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). We are the PI institute for the PACS far-infrared camera/spectrometer for Herschel. We are investing substantial developmental effort in interferometry and adaptive optics, where we are the PI institute for GRAVITY, an ESO NIR VLTI instrument for precision astrometry and interferometric imaging of faint objects, and ARGOS, a ground layer AO system for the LBT. We encourage applicants with interests in the field of galaxy dynamics and evolution, AGN, or IR/submm instrumentation. The flexible starting date could be as early as summer 2013, with a nominal date of Oct 2013. Applicants should have a PhD in astronomy or related field before starting. The post comes with a generous travel allowance and the opportunity to spend time at UC Berkeley as part of an international exchange program in astrophysics between the Max Planck Society and UCB.
Please send a letter of application, a brief description of research interests, a curriculum vitae including bibliography, and three letters of reference by February 28, 2013 to the above address.
The MPE encourages applications from women, minorities, and disabled persons.
