ERC-funded postdoctoral position in Strong Gravitational Lensing and Numerical Simulation

Applications are invited for postdoctoral positions funded through the ERC AdG project "COSMICLENS: cosmology with strong gravitational lensing" (PIs: F. Courbin - EFPL, Switzerland / D. Sluse - Uni. Liège, Belgium) and focusing on cosmography with time delays in lensed quasars and supernovae.

 The project is based on 1- massive lens monitoring at various telescopes, 2- lens modeling (incl. development based on sparsity methods) 3- analysis of ancillary data with e.g. VLT, HST, JWST, 4- lens finding in existing surveys as well as in Euclid, 5- testing lens model degeneracies with hydro simulations. Eventually, combining all 5 points above will yield to a full cosmological analysis, in the context of the COSMOGRAIL and H0LiCOW programs. 

 The successful candidate(s) will be based at the STAR institute of University of Liège, in Belgium and will work mostly on quantifying the impact of lensing degeneracies on cosmological and astrophysical inference, through the development of a complete lens simulation framework, and analysis of simulated and real data sets. He/she will join a team of 8 researchers in extragalactic astrophysics (incl. 2 PhDs). Close collaboration with F. Courbin at EPFL (Switzerland) is expected, especially in connection with point #2 above.

The STAR institute gathers more than 100 researchers carrying out cutting-edge research in extragalactic astrophysics, astro-particles, planetology, stellar physics and instrumentation. It has direct access to the full suite of ESO observing facilities, and excellent computing facilities. Both D. Sluse and F. Courbin are involved in the ESA, Euclid satellite mission, as will be the successful applicant.

Applicants should submit a CV, publication list, and a research statement, via email to [email protected] (1 single pdf file) together with three reference letters before Dec 1st, 2019. The position(s) is (are) initially for 2 years, with possible extensions up to 3 years and comes with competitive salary, benefits and generous travel funding. Earliest possible start: 1 February 2020.