Department : Theoretical Physics
Vacancy ID : 018841
Closing Date : 02-Jan-2023

The Role

Maynooth University is committed to a strategy in which the primary University goals of excellent research and scholarship and outstanding education are interlinked and equally valued.

The Department of Theoretical Physics at the Maynooth University is inviting applications for a postdoctoral fellowship position in computational and theoretical astrophysics. The successful applicant will join the Research Group led by Dr John Regan and is expected to develop their own independent research program within the confines of a research project investigating the formation, growth, and demographics of Black Holes in the early Universe. The group, currently consisting of four PhD students and one additional postdoctoral researcher, are currently engaged in numerous research topics with the goal of understanding early black hole formation. In line with this we are currently implementing an ambitious research project using the EnzoE exascale class code to run large volume, high resolution simulations focused on the first billion years of black hole formation. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute significantly to this research effort but are free to pursue their own research lines under this remit.

We are seeking an excellent candidate with a minimum of two years postdoctoral experience. A solid knowledge of theoretical astrophysics and a background in numerical astrophysics and/or studies of early black hole formation would be highly advantageous. The research group actively collaborates with researchers in the United States, Finland, Canada and Switzerland and the position will include ample funding for travel together with access to European super-computing facilities via EuroHPC time.

Applicants should have a PhD in astronomy, astrophysics, or a closely related field. The appointment will be for a period of three years. The nominal starting date is expected to be September 2023, but earlier starting dates are also possible. The successful candidate will join a vibrant academic environment at Maynooth University.

The Department of Theoretical Physics consists of six permanent staff as whole a host of graduate students and postdocs. Apart from the theoretical astrophysics research group led by Dr John Regan there is also a large theoretical cosmology research group led by Prof. Peter Coles. Additionally the successful candidate will join the newly formed Centre for Astrophysics and Space Sciences Maynooth (CASM) which encompasses astrophysics and astronomy staff, students, and postdocs from across the Departments of both Theoretical Physics and Experimental Physics.

Post-Doctoral Researcher (2022) Salary Scale: €41,209 to €47,477 p.a. (6 Points)
Senior Post-Doctoral Researcher (2022) Salary Scale: €48,813 to €53,091 p.a. (4 Points)

Appointments will be made in accordance with public sector pay provisions.

Closing Date: 23:30hrs (local Irish time) on Monday, 2nd January 2023.

Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified above.

Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. Late applications will not be accepted.

Maynooth University is an equal opportunities employer

The position is subject to the Statutes of the University