Positions to study the Lives, Deaths, and Afterlives of (Binary) Stars at MPA

We seek people to join the new stellar department, led by Selma de Mink, at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (MPA) to study questions related to the fascinating Lives, Deaths, and Afterlives of (binary) Stars. We welcome applications from anyone who can broadly fit in this theme, either from the theory and computational side and/or from the observational and data-oriented side.

Examples of expertise we are interested in include Stellar and Binary Evolution, Mass Transfer, Common Envelope Evolution, Mergers, Triple and Multiple Systems, Stellar remnants (White Dwarfs, Neutron Stars, Black Holes), Gravitational Wave Astrophysics, Stellar Transients, Progenitors of Supernovae and Gravitational Waves, Star formation, Stellar structure, Stellar Atmospheres, Stellar winds, Asteroseismology, Internal mixing, Stellar Hydrodynamics, Stellar feedback, Nucleosynthesis, Stellar Populations, Stars at high redshift... If your area of expertise is not mentioned here but you believe that this would be a stimulating department for you, please feel encouraged to apply and explain in your cover letter how you would fit in.

Positions will be available at different levels in the following years. The present call is primarily intended for fixed-term post-doctoral positions, either at the junior level (recent or expected PhD graduates) or senior (some years of post-doctoral experience). Possibilities to (co)-supervise students can be discussed. There will also be several possibilities to apply for independent money through various schemes (e.g. Humboldt, Marie Curie, DFG,..). For suitable candidates, we may also consider hiring in science support positions (e.g. developers). Feel free to state your preferences in your cover letter.

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. We are specifically interested in people who can contribute to the collaborative and supportive scientific environment in the institute.

The MPA is located 10 km north of the city of Munich and is well connected to central Munich by subway. The institute is part of one of the largest centers of astrophysical research in the world, with the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) and the headquarters of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) next door. The MPA has 14 long-term staff who work with about 40 post-doctoral researchers and a somewhat larger number of PhD students. The Institute runs a vigorous visitor program and is housed in an attractive, specially designed building with excellent library and computer facilities. It also has privileged access to supercomputer facilities at the neighboring Supercomputer Centre of the Max Planck Society. Further information may be found on our web page http://www.mpa-garching.mpg.de.

Salaries are paid at German civil service rates (gross annual pre-tax including health and Christmas gratification) are currently in the range of 55.000 EUR to 65.000 EUR, depending on post-doctoral experience.

Interested people are invited to apply electronically via

https://wwwmpa.mpa-garching.mpg.de/machform/view.php?id=48062

Candidates are requested to provide (1) a cover letter briefly stating their expertise and why they believe MPA would be a good fit [1-2 pages], (2) a research statement explaining their interests and experience [3-5pages], (3) a publication list highlighting 1-3 most relevant publications, (4) a CV. The page limits are an indication. Candidates will not be disqualified for exceeding these. If you have alread applied for the MPA fellowship and like to be considered for this position too, only a cover letter stating this will be sufficient.

Late applications will be accepted until the posts are filled. The candidates should also arrange for three confidential reference letters to be uploaded on the same site by the same date.

The MPA is actively committed to equal opportunity in employment.

For data protection regulations, please see https://www.mpa-garching.mpg.de/dpjobmpa.