Strasbourg Observatory (Observatoire astronomique de Strasbourg, ObAS) invites applications for two postdoctoral positions in the fields of dark matter and Galactic archaeology, both on the theoretical (simulations) and observational side.
The successful applicants are expected to work with B. Famaey, R. Ibata, N. Martin, and other members of the Galhecos team in the context of the ERC project GreatDigInTheSky and the ANR project Pristine, focusing on the modeling of the Milky Way in the Gaia era and the mapping the metal-poor Milky Way with the Pristine survey.
The successful applicant on the theoretical position is expected to devise the observational consequences of various exotic dark matter scenarios for stellar streams and the dynamics of the Milky Way in general. Ideally they should have some experience with numerical simulations in the context of self-interacting dark matter, fuzzy dark matter, alternative gravity frameworks, or more generally in the context of hydrodynamical simulations of galaxy evolution. All applicants with experience in related areas will be considered.
The successful applicant on the observational position is expected to work on the mapping of the metal-poor Milky Way with the Pristine survey. Based on a narrow-band photometric survey currently being conducted at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, soon to be complemented by systematic follow-up with the WEAVE spectroscopic survey, Pristine focuses on the search for the first stars and mapping out the (sub)structures of the Milky Way halo. Experience in observational Galactic physics, Galactic dynamics, and/or stellar chemical analysis will be favored, but all applicants with experience in related areas will be considered.
The successful candidates will join the "Galhecos" team at the ObAS. Galhecos is a dynamic and growing team, with many recent and future postdoctoral recruitments, particularly on topics related to the dynamics of galaxies and stellar systems. The ObAS is located on the premises of Strasbourg University - one of the major universities in France - in historical buildings surrounded by a botanical garden, and within walking distance of the medieval city center.
The theoretical position is for 2+2 years, and the observational position for at least 2 years. The starting date is flexible but is expected to be in the fall of 2020. The offered remuneration (starting from a monthly gross salary of 2643.22€, depending on experience) includes French health care for the applicant and their family, together with at least 5 weeks paid annual leave. Funds for travel and research will be available, as well as easy access to computing facilities.
Applications to the theoretical position should be made here:
https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR7550-RODIBA-002/Default.aspx?lang=EN
Applications to the observational position should be made here:
https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR7550-NICMAR-003/Default.aspx?lang=EN
Applicants are requested to submit a CV including a list of publications, a description (2 pages) of past/future research and accomplishments.
Three letters of reference should be sent by January 13 2020
to [email protected] for the theoretical position
to [email protected] for the observational position