Postdoctoral position in Strong Gravitational Lensing at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, Garching, Germany

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position in the Strong Gravitational Lensing Group led by Dr. Simona Vegetti at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics. The group focuses on using strong gravitational lensing observations to answer a broad range of scientific questions related to the nature of dark matter, star formation processes, AGN activity and the nature of magnetic fields in distant galaxies. 

We are looking for postdoctoral candidates with interests in new numerical approaches to gravitational lens modelling and/or the analysis of high-angular resolution data from optical imaging and radio/mm/sub-mm interferometeric observations. No previous experience in strong lensing is required.

As the successful candidate, you will join the vibrant research environment of the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (MPA) in Garching. With its 14 long-term staff members, 40 postdocs, and a similar number of PhD students, MPA is ideal for developing your science through stimulating interactions. The four departments and independent groups in our institute actively interact and collaborate. We meet each morning informally for science coffee, over lunch, or during various group meetings and seminars. You will also be invited to join the local and Max Planck wide postdoc network. You will have access to the institute’s excellent in-house computing facilities as well as those at the Supercomputer Centre of the Max Planck Society.  

We strive for excellent science, but also believe this can only be achieved with a healthy work-life balance. As an employee of the Max Planck community, you will also have access to extensive resources and support, see https://www.mpg.de/family-and-career

The position comes with a generous travel budget. Salaries are paid at German civil service rates. The position comes with 30 days holiday entitlement, social security insurance (e.g. health insurance), and social benefits according to the regulations for public service.

The position is available from September 2022, but the starting date is negotiable, with an earlier start also possible. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by sending a curriculum vitae, a publication list, a three-page statement of their scientific experience and interests to the email address [email protected] by 1 December 2021. The candidate should also arrange for three letters of reference to be sent separately to the same email address.