The University Observatory in the Faculty of Physics of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
Munich announces the opportunity for one or multiple Postdoctoral Fellowships in
observational, theoretical or computational astrophysics in all areas of cosmology, structure
formation, plasma physics, galaxy evolution, star formation and extrasolar planetary science.
Scientists with a PhD degree in physics, astrophysics, or related fields, who are seeking an
opportunity to develop an independent and innovative research program in these areas, are
encouraged to apply.
Successful applicants will be paired with a primary and a secondary mentor to support their
research program and their development as a scientist. The position includes opportunities
for mentoring student researchers from the university's bachelor and master programs in
physics and astrophysics, and may include teaching opportunities as well.
We aim for the fellowship to commence by October 2021, with an initial appointment of 2+2
years for recent graduates and 3+2 years for experienced researchers. Different
arrangements may be negotiated between successful applicants and their mentors. This
year, the following mentors are available:
● Prof. Ralf Bender, research group Extragalactic Astrophysics & Instrumentation
● Prof. Til Birnstiel, research group Protoplanetary Disks & Planet Formation
● Dr. Klaus Dolag, research group Computational Astrophysics
● Prof. Barbara Ercolano, research group Theoretical Star and Planet Formation
● Prof. Daniel Gruen, research group Astrophysics, Cosmology & Artificial Intelligence
● Prof. Joseph Mohr, research group Cosmology and Structure Formation
● Dr. Stella Seitz, research group Gravitational Lensing
● Prof. Jochen Weller, research group Physical Cosmology
The University Observatory of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität is part of Munich’s vibrant
and growing astrophysics research community that includes the European Southern
Observatory headquarters, the Max Planck Institutes for Astrophysics, for Physics, for
Extraterrestrial Physics, and for Plasma Physics, and the DFG Origins Excellence Cluster
ORIGINS . Researchers at LMU have access to observing programs including the Dark
Energy Survey, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time, Euclid,
the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Experiment, 4MOST and other future ESO projects, the
South Pole Telescope, e ROSITA, MeerKAT, CMB-S4 and the department’s 2m-Telescope
i n the Bavarian alps. Besides these, fellows will have access to the Computational Center for
Particle and Astrophysics of the ORIGINS cluster and the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre of
the Bavarian Academy of Science and Humanities.
This Fellowship program is intended to provide aspiring researchers at the postdoctoral
level with support by multiple mentors that will help them develop a research program
connecting to and complementing research interests at the University Observatory. For
observationally oriented fellows, it is named after Joseph von Fraunhofer, who performed the
first ever spectroscopic observations with an astronomical observatory at Munich. For
theoretically oriented fellows, it is named after Karl Schwarzschild , who was a graduate
student and senior postdoc at LMU while first raising the hypothesis that the geometry of the
Universe could be non-Euclidean.
Salary and benefits are paid according to the German public service pay agreement TV-L
E13. The advancement of women in science is an integral part of the university‘s policy.
Therefore, women are especially encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities will be given
preference to other applicants with equal qualifications. German language skills are not
required.
Applicants should prepare a cover letter and the following documents: CV, publication list,
and a 3-page statement of research interests and plans. Further, applicants are asked to
arrange at least three letters of recommendation. All documents should be submitted
through
https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo?edeli... by November 8, 2020, for
full consideration. Please enter the names of two or more potential mentors as “info about
the package” in step 2 of the application form. Applications may also be considered for other
postdoctoral opportunities at the University Observatory Munich.