Post-doctoral position in Computational Astrophysics at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research

The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Goettingen (Germany) invites applications for a post-doctoral position in Computational Astrophysics. The successful candidate will work in the project UniSDyn (“Building up a Unified Theory of Stellar Dynamos”) based on an ERC Consolidator Grant, and is expected to contribute to the development of the setup and methods, and take part in the production runs, of global magnetoconvection simulations of late-type stars with convective envelopes of variable thickness. Our aim is to better reproduce the solar rotation profiles, overcoming the convection conundrum, hence arriving at more realistic dynamo solutions, and extend these successful models to other stars with varying activity level.

The tasks include in particular:

• Designing and utilization of improved semi-global DNS-type models to reproduce the solar rotation profile with solar rotation rate;
• Study the role of shear layers for the dynamos of stars with partial convection zones;
• Study the transition from inactive (solar-like) to active stars’ behaviour with models employing the Yin-Yang grid;
• Model the observationally poorly known stellar rotation profiles with/without shear layers and study the consequences for stellar dynamos;
• Perform a systematic study of the interaction of large- and small-scale dynamos in presence of shear layers and rotation.

The candidate should have a Ph.D. degree in astrophysics with emphasis in computational magnetohydrodynamics and its application to astrophysical objects, and a record of successful research. In addition, experience in data analysis (development and/or usage of tools) for large datasets is a major benefit. Experience in code development, in particular for parallel computing, is an advantage.

The full-time position is available as early as May 1, 2019 and offered for a period of 2 years, with the possibility of an extension. The remuneration will be according to grade E13 of the TVoeD scale of the German civil services. The social benefits are in accordance with the regulations of the civil service.

Applications, including a CV, a short description of past research activities, a publication list and names of two potential referees should be sent as one pdf file to [email protected], quoting the reference „SOLSTAR“. Review of applications will start on 1 April 2019 and continue until the position is filled. For further information or questions, please contact Maarit Käpylä (kapyla at mps.mpg.de).

The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. The Max Planck Society is committed to employing more persons with disabilities and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals.