VIDA Prize Postdoctoral Fellowship in Multimessenger Astrophysics

The Vanderbilt Initiative in Data-Intensive Astrophysics (VIDA) announces the 2019 Prize Postdoctoral Fellowship opportunity in Multi-messenger Astrophysics (MMA). 

Position details

Successful VIDA Prize Fellows will be expected to conduct original research in theoretical, computational, or observational astrophysics and to disseminate this research through high-impact publications. Fellows are free to work on any of the diverse research efforts within VIDA. In the current cycle we expect to appoint at least one Fellow specifically in gravitational-wave astrophysics and data analysis in Professor Stephen Taylor’s VIPER Group (Vanderbilt Initiative in Probes of Extreme Relativity); candidates in these areas are particularly encouraged to apply, although exceptional candidates in all areas will be considered. VIDA Prize Fellows are appointed to renewable one-year terms, up to a total of three years. The VIDA Fellowship comes with an attractive salary commensurate with other prestigious prize fellowships in astrophysics, full benefits, and a competitive research budget. 

VIDA operates within the vibrant Department of Physics & Astronomy at Vanderbilt University, and includes faculty at the forefront of research in Gravitational Waves (Taylor, Holley-Bockelmann), Supermassive Black Holes (Runnoe, Taylor, Holley-Bockelmann), Galaxies & Dark Matter (Berlind), Star Formation (Weintraub), and Stellar Astrophysics & Exoplanets (Stassun). Faculty are world-leaders within MMA collaborations such as NANOGrav, the International Pulsar Timing Array, LISA, SDSS, and LSST. VIDA research is focused on the burgeoning arena of astro-informatics, which confronts the challenges of Big Data analytics, often employs simulation-based methods and machine learning, and lives at the interface of astrophysics, data science, and statistics. Vanderbilt (ranked 15th in 2020 US News & World Report Rankings) houses the state-of-the-art Advanced Computing Center for Research and Education (ACCRE) cluster with ~10,000 cores and bleeding-edge GPU resources, as well as a new Data Science Institute (DSI) with strong faculty connections in the Department of Physics & Astronomy. Nashville is ranked amongst the top 20 cities to live in the US, with thriving scenes in music, art, entertainment, education, and technology.

Application details

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, or equivalent, by the date of appointment. Applicants should ensure that all of the following are sent directly to [email protected], with the subject line “VIDA Fellow 2019, LASTNAME FIRSTNAME”, and received by 11.59pm Central US Time on November 30th 2019. 

• A cover letter stating the applicant’s overall goals, motivation for applying, and how their research aligns with the position (1 page; LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_Cover.pdf)
• A curriculum vitae including a list of publications and talks. (LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_CV.pdf)
• A description of research accomplishments and future plans (3 page limit, 1 inch margins, 12 pt font; LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_Research.pdf)
• Names and contact details of three professional references (LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_References.pdf)
• Three letters of recommendation to be sent directly to [email protected]. 

Candidates interested in further details are encouraged to contact Professor Stephen Taylor ([email protected]). 

VIDA and Vanderbilt University engage in significant efforts to increase diversity and equity in STEM through the Fisk-Vanderbilt Bridge Program. VIDA Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in these efforts. Vanderbilt University is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women and underrepresented minority candidates are encouraged to apply.