Postdoctoral and PhD Positions in the Lise Meitner / ERC group lead by Maria Bergemann at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) in Heidelberg

Our offer

We are offering two post-doctoral and two PhD positions to pursue innovative projects within the research group Stellar Spectroscopy and Stellar Populations at MPIA. The projects will be funded from the Lise Meitner grant of the Max Planck Society and from the ERC grant ELEMENTS. The scientific interests of the group cover a wide range of scientific areas, including radiation transfer and radiation hydrodynamics, exoplanet hosts, clusters and stellar evolution, nuclear astrophysics, evolution of the Milky Way galaxy and extragalactic stellar populations. The group is involved in large international collaborations, including PLATO, 4MOST, and WEAVE. The starting date is as soon as possible, but no later than Fall 2022. For inquiries, please contact Maria Bergemann ([email protected]).

Postdoc positions (ref no 334)
The applicants will strengthen the group’s main research directions: 3D Non-LTE spectral modeling, fundamental stellar parameters, and exploitation of 4MOST and WEAVE survey data. The focus of the ERC grant is on studies of trans-iron elements and nucleosynthesis in supernovae and compact binary mergers. The Lise Meitner grant supports activities related to the exploitation of observational datasets from various facilities, including TESS, VLT, JWST, and the development of novel diagnostic techniques for stellar astrophysics. We also welcome applications from researchers with interest in using stellar data in other areas, including exoplanet studies or galaxy evolution.

PhD positions (ref no 335)
We offer several PhD projects in complementary research areas, including (a) stellar physics with open clusters, (b) exoplanet host stars, and (c) chemical structure of the Galaxy and sources of s- and r-process elements. The applicants may choose to focus on observations, modelling, and/or phenomenology. The projects will be carried out in close collaboration with other group members.

Your application

Postdoc applications shall be submitted to [email protected] before November 10, 2021 and include a cover letter, CV, publication list, and a 2-page statement of research interests and plans. The applicants shall arrange for three letters of reference to be provided separately by the same date.
PhD applications shall be submitted via the IMPRS Heidelberg: https://www.imprs-hd.mpg.de/3192/Application before November 10, 2021. A copy of the application material shall be submitted to [email protected] by the same date.

MPIA researchers have privileged access to the 8.4m Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) in Arizona, the 2.2m MPG telescope on La Silla, the Calar Alto 2.2m telescope, and the IRAM millimeter facilities. MPIA astronomers make frequent use of all ESO facilities, including the VLT and ALMA. MPIA also offers access to a range of local computing clusters and external super-computing resources. The institute is involved in a number of large science collaborations and surveys, including Gaia, SDSS-V, 4MOST, VRO (formerly: LSST), JWST, and Euclid. MPIA aims to provide a stimulating and supportive work environment. The successful candidates can draw on funds for publications, computing, travel, training, etc. Postdocs: the remuneration is based on the German collective wage agreement for the public sector (TVoeD) depending on qualification and experience in level E13/E14. Remuneration for PhD students will be according to the German public sector scale TVöD 65% E 13.

The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer and strives for a diverse community of employees. Applications from historically underrepresented or disadvantaged groups are particularly encouraged. MPIA supports its employees in their search for suitable child care. For questions concerning promoting equal opportunity for all employees and prospective employees at MPIA, please contact Thavisha Dharmawardena ([email protected]) and regarding disabilities guidelines and regulations please contact Ralf Launhardt ([email protected]).