The Vanderbilt Initiative in Data-Intensive Astrophysics (VIDA) announces the 2022 Postdoctoral Fellowship opportunity in Gravitational-wave Astrophysics.
Successful VIDA 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 with experience in PTAs, LISA, or ground-based GW detectors are particularly encouraged to apply. VIDA 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, Jani), Supermassive Black Holes (Runnoe, Taylor, Holley-Bockelmann, Lupsasca), Star Formation (Weintraub), and Stellar Astrophysics & Exoplanets (Stassun). Faculty are world-leaders within multi-messenger astrophysics collaborations such as NANOGrav, the International Pulsar Timing Array, LISA, LVK, SDSS, LSST, and EHT. 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 13th in 2023 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 Data Science Institute (DSI) with strong faculty connections in the Department of Physics & Astronomy, and the Vanderbilt Initiative for Gravity, Waves, & Fluids. Nashville is ranked amongst the top 25 cities to live in the US, with thriving scenes in music, art, entertainment, education, and technology.
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in physics, astronomy, 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 2022, LASTNAME FIRSTNAME”, and received by 11.59pm Central US Time on December 7th 2022.
- 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] with subject line “VIDA Fellow 2022: reference letter for LASTNAME FIRSTNAME”.
Candidates interested in further details are encouraged to contact Professor Stephen Taylor ([email protected], https://my.vanderbilt.edu/stephentaylor/).
VIDA and Vanderbilt University engage in significant efforts to increase diversity and equity in STEM through the Fisk-Vanderbilt Bridge Program, as well as our new NSF Research Traineeship Programs, EMIT (Establishing Multi-messenger astronomy Inclusive Training) and NISE (Neurodiversity Inspired Science & Engineering). 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.
