Postdoctoral positions on 21-cm cosmology with LOFAR

Submission Information
Publish Date: 
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Archive Date: 
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Job Summary
Job Category: 
Post-doctoral Positions and Fellowships
Institution Classification/Type: 
Large Academic
Institution/Company: 
University of Groningen
Department Name: 
Kapteyn Astronomical Institute
City: 
Groningen
State/Province: 
Groningen
Country: 
Netherlands
Announcement
Job Announcement Text: 

The Kapteyn Astronomical Institute of the University of Groningen invites applications for two postdoctoral positions in the group of Prof. dr. Léon Koopmans to work on (1) the analysis of LOFAR 21-cm signal observations, and on (2) the forward data modelling of the 21-cm signal from ground-based instruments such as LOFAR and NenuFAR.

The positions are part of the research program CoDEX, funded by an ERC-advanced grant. The program combines observational, instrumental, theoretical, and data-science facets of ground-based radio telescopes (such as LOFAR/AARTFAAC, NenuFAR) and space-based instruments (such as NCLE, currently in Lunar L2). The first position focuses on the processing and analysis of several petabytes of LOFAR redshifted 21-cm observations, using a newly acquired and dedicated petaflop computing system. The second position focuses on developing a detailed forward data model of 21-cm signal data, including all currently known effects (e.g. instrumental, ionospheric) that can corrupt the data. The postdocs will be part of a world-leading 21-cm cosmology team and based at the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute. The postdocs will also regularly visit the nearby radio-astronomy institute, ASTRON.

The Kapteyn Astronomical Institute is part of the Netherlands Research School for Astronomy (NOVA) and is recognized worldwide for the quality of its research in multiple areas of astronomy. With around 15 faculty, 50 PhD students and 25 postdocs, it is the second-largest astronomical institute in the Netherlands. Groningen, a historic town in the northern Netherlands, occupies a strategic place in Dutch astronomy, hosting the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute and the low-energy astrophysics division of the Netherlands Institute for Space Research (SRON) and the NOVA sub-mm lab. In addition, the Kapteyn Institute has a strong connection with the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON) in Dwingeloo, a European centre of radio astronomy research. Staff and PhD students at the Kapteyn Institute frequently collaborate with SRON and ASTRON scientists and engineers. There are also strong interdisciplinary connections with other institutes in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. English is the common language spoken at the institute.

We seek excellent candidates with a strong background in the physical sciences and/or engineering who desire to work at a world-class university (ranked 64 on the Shanghai list). A successful candidate must have obtained a PhD degree by the position's starting date or fulfilled all criteria to obtain one within three months after starting. Significant experience in one or more of the fields of high-redshift 21-cm cosmology, coding, radio data processing/analysis, signal processing, is desirable. 

The postdoctoral researcher positions are paid according to the CAO Dutch Universities, which means that they earn competitive salaries (the current annual gross salary, including allowances, starts from about €47,500) and are eligible for both social security and retirement benefits. The positions are offered for the duration of two years with the option of a one-year extension, depending on performance and funding.

A complete application consists of a single PDF file with a motivation/cover letter (max. two pages), a CV, and a summary of previous research (max. three pages). Three letters of reference must be sent before the deadline. Informal inquiries are welcome and should be sent to [email protected]. All application material and reference letters must be sent to the same email address before the deadline. Files names of application and reference letters must start with the surname of the applicant.

The application deadline is February 20, 2022, at midnight (CET), after which the selection of candidates will start, until the position is filled.

Included Benefits: 

The postdoctoral researcher positions are paid according to the CAO Dutch Universities, which means that they earn competitive salaries (the current annual gross salary, including allowances, starts from about €47,500) and are eligible for both social security and retirement benefits. The positions are offered for the duration of two years with the option of a one-year extension, depending on performance and funding.

Application Deadline: 
Sunday, February 20, 2022
Selection Deadline: 
Sunday, March 6, 2022
Current Status of Position: 
Accepting Applicants
Apply to Job
Attention To: 
L.V.E. Koopmans
Title: 
Prof. dr.
Institution/Company: 
University of Groningen
Department Name: 
Kapteyn Astronomical Institute
Country: 
Netherlands
Inquiries About Job
Attention To: