Two 3-year postdoctoral fellows in galaxy formation and evolution

Applications are invited for two 3-year postdoctoral fellows to work with Assist. Prof. John McKean in the area of galaxy formation and evolution at the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen. 

One of the fellows (observational) will work on the analysis of high angular resolution radio observations and other multi-wavelength data for galaxy-scale gravitational lenses. The second postdoctoral fellow (theoretical) will work on interpreting these data by comparing the results with hydro-dynamical simulations of galaxy formation. The aim of the project is to investigate the abundance of low mass structure within lensing galaxies and place important constraints on models for galaxy formation and dark matter. These positions are funded through a joint NWO (Netherlands) and CAS (China) research initiative on radio astronomy, and both fellows will collaborate with Prof. Leon Koopmans at the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute and spend some part of their time visiting and working with Prof. Shude Mao at NAOC/Tsinghua University, Beijing.

The postdoctoral fellows will join the vibrant research environment at the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, which currently has 46 PhD students, 26 postdocs and 17 academic staff. The gravitational lensing group (led by academic staff Koopmans, McKean and Verdoes Kleijn) currently has 2 postdocs and 6 PhD students. The positions come with a generous salary and social security benefits. There will also be extensive funds available for travel and computing.

The envisaged start date for both positions is October 2018, although dates before and after this are possible. Interested candidates are invited to apply by sending i) a cover letter expressing their motivation and interest in one or both of the positions, ii) a two-page statement on their scientific interests/skills and research experience, and iii) a curriculum vitae (including publication list) to the email address [email protected]. The candidates should also arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent by their authors to the same address.

The review of applications will begin on 2018 January 12, but late applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.