PhD position in Pulsar Astrophysics

We are inviting applications for a Ph.D. student position in Pulsar Astrophysics to help build a new research group at the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics in Hanover, Germany. The group will develop novel search methods to find pulsars using data from the latest generation of radio telescopes and high-energy space telescope missions. This position offers a high likelihood for exciting discoveries amidst a welcoming, enthusiastic and international working environment with diverse research interests.

Searching for pulsars can be an extreme computational challenge, utilising very large volumes of data and covering enormous parameter spaces. At the AEI in Hannover, the distributed volunteer computing system, Einstein@Home, offers a vast computing resource which can be utilised to perform the most sensitive possible searches facilitating the discovery of pulsars that would otherwise remain hidden. A small team at the AEI have been using Einstein@Home to search for radio pulsars in data from the Parkes and Arecibo radio telescopes, and gamma-ray pulsars in data from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, discovering 80 new pulsars to date. We are seeking applicants to expand this team from its current three members, group leader Colin Clark, postdoc Lars Nieder and director Bruce Allen, into a fully-fledged research group.

We are looking for a PhD candidate who has an interest in scientific data analysis and experience with computer programming. The initial appointment is for three years, with the doctorate being awarded by the Leibniz Universität Hannover.

The working language of the group is English.

Applications online. You will be asked to upload a cover letter, curriculum vitae and a 1-page personal statement. Applicants will need to indicate the names of three referees for recommendation letters. Referees will receive an email with instructions on how to upload their letters.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but all applications received before March 14th 2021 are guaranteed to be considered. The start date is flexible, but expected to be late summer 2021.

The Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics is an equal opportunity employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.

Please send any queries about the position or application process to
psr-jobs@aei.mpg.de.

The web site is https://www.aei.mpg.de/651662/job_full_offer_16473000?c=26171