PostDoc position at University of Potsdam, Germany

The University of Potsdam was founded in 1991 and has firmly established itself within the scientific landscape and developed into an outstanding economic factor and growth engine for the region. The University of Potsdam excels in acquiring third-party funds, has received multiple teaching awards, has a very service-oriented administration, and has been honored several times for its family-friendly culture. About 22,000 students and 3,000 employees study and work at three campuses – Am Neuen Palais, Griebnitzsee and Golm – at one of Germany’s most scenic institutions of higher education.

The Faculty of Science, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, Experimental Astroparticle Physics at the University of Potsdam invites applications for the following position for two years, which will be filled as soon as possible:

Academic Staff Member (w/m/d) ID no. 371/2023

The successful candidate will work 40 hours per week (100 %). The position is classified within remuneration group 13 of the collective wage agreement among the German states (TV-L). The fixed term of employment is in accordance with Section 2 subsection 1 of the German Act on Limited Scientific Contracts (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz or WissZeitVG).

Your Field of Work:

The Institute of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Potsdam supports a broad range of research in observational and theoretical astrophysics. It has close links with the neighboring Leibniz-Institute for Astrophysics (AIP), the Albert Einstein Institute (AEI), and DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron), which is one of the world’s leading research centers for particle and astroparticle physics.

The Experimental Astroparticle Physics group at the University of Potsdam is actively involved in the H.E.S.S. and CTA experiments. Our research focusses on complex data analysis, the interpretation of gamma-ray measurements on global scales, including their multi-wavelength context, as well as on technical developments for current and future experiments. In CTA we hold the responsibility for the development of the Transients Handler as the component that initiates transient follow-up observations based on multi-wavelength/multi-messenger alerts. We offer excellent research opportunities through close cooperation with research groups and major institutions in the field.

The Scope of Your Responsibilities:

The applicant is expected to work on the software development for the Transients Handler of CTA and conduct research in the field of experimental astroparticle physics. Attending to mas- ter and doctoral students is self-evident.

At least one-third of working hours is available for in-depth scientific work.

Your Qualifications:

Applicants should hold a PhD in physics with specialization in astrophysics or astroparticle physics, have strong programming skills with an emphasis on Python, and should have one or more of the following skills:

• Specialized knowledge in astrophysics or astroparticle physics

• Experience in the analysis and interpretation of gamma-ray data

• Ability to work independently and in a structured manner as well as together in a team

• Good command of the English language

• Beside the specialist skills social skills are expected too

  What We Offer:

  As a university, we combine the developmental strength of a teaching and research institution with the attractive working conditions of the public sector. The University of Potsdam is a reliable employer that supports its employees with a variety of offers and benefits:

  • Develop yourself and your professional as well as interdisciplinary competencies in various continuing education and networking opportunities offered by the University of Potsdam.

  • All locations have good transport connections. They can receive a monthly subsidy for the public transport job ticket and use campus bicycles.

  • Benefit from a company pension plan, a special annual payment and asset-building services.

  • Take advantage of the diverse offers from occupational health management as well as university sports.

  • To improve work-life balance, the University of Potsdam offers its employees flexible working hours and proportional home office hours. You have 30 vacation days per year and are also exempt from work on December 24 and 31. Our service for families can advise you on issues relating to the reconciliation of work and family life.

    You can find more information about working at the University of Potsdam at

    https://www.uni-potsdam.de/de/arbeiten-an-der-up/arbeitgeberin/uebersicht

For further questions please contact Dr. Kathrin Egberts, kathrin.egberts@uni-potsdam.de.

Your Application

Please send us your application (including a CV, a statement of current and future research interests, a list of publications, and the contact information of at least 3 references) by the deadline of July 07, 2023 and provide the ID no. 371/2023, preferably by email to ines.tietgen@uni-potsdam.de.

The University of Potsdam values the diversity of its community and pursues the goals of equal opportunity regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation and identity. Applications from abroad and from persons with an immigrant background are expressly encouraged. The university strives for a balanced gender ratio in all employment groups; in areas where women are underrepresented, women are given preference in case of equal suitability (Section 7 paragraph 4 of the Brandenburg Higher Education Act). People with disabilities are given preferential consideration in cases of equal qualifications. In aptitude tests and selection interviews, individual disadvantage compensations are granted that are appropriate to their disability. If a person with a disability would like to make use of individual disadvantage compensation, please state this in the application letter.