Postdoctoral Fellow in Astrophysics

at the Department of Astronomy. Closing date: 12 January 2024.

The Department of Astronomy at Stockholm University invites applications for three Postdoctoral Fellows in transient astrophysics (reference number SU FV-3815-23). The Department of Astronomy has around 80 employees. The main research areas are; Computational astrophysics, Galaxies, Supernovae, Solar physics, and Planet and Star formation. It is part of the AlbaNova University Center, which also houses the Department of Physics, the Physics Departments at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), and the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics (Nordita), which all host research groups relevant to transient astrophysics.

Project description
The postdoctoral fellows will conduct original research on time-domain astronomy, with an emphasis on our upcoming involvement in the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). One position, with Ragnhild Lunnan, is funded by an ERC starting grant; the other two positions, with Jesper Sollerman, is funded by a Wallenberg Foundation research grant and will also involve participating in transient classification with the Nordic Optical Telescope as part of Stockholm University’s in-kind contributions to the LSST project.

The successful candidates will be part of the Oskar Klein Centre (OKC; www.okc.albanova.se) in Stockholm, a rich scientific environment that comprises more than a hundred researchers working in both theory and experiment in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics and particle physics. The OKC hosts a vibrant research program on dark matter, dark energy, transient and multimessenger astrophysics, galaxy evolution, structure formation, and related particle physics questions. Postdoctoral fellows are also welcome to participate in Scientific Programs at the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics, Nordita.

Main responsibilities
The positions involve original research in the fields of time-domain astronomy, which includes work on supernovae, kilonovae or other transients. OKC are part of ZTF and of the upcoming LS4 for discovering transients, and are members of the Rubin LSST. The positions are aimed to prepare for and take advantage of the upcoming LSST transient stream, for which the OKC will deliver classifications with the Nordic Optical Telescope.

Qualification requirements
Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria
The degree must have been completed at latest before the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the closing date. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances. Special reasons refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

In the appointment process, special attention will be given to research skills in astronomical data analysis, observational experience and programming. A suitable background is a PhD in Astronomy or Physics.

Terms of employment
The position involves full-time employment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date 2024-09-01 or as per agreement.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
Further information about the position can be obtained from Dr. Ragnhild Lunnan, ragnhild.lunnan@astro.su.se, and from Prof. Jesper Sollerman, jesper@astro.su.se.

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, and seko@seko.su.se (SEKO).

Application
Apply for the position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references
  Important!: Recommendation letters (2-3) should be sent separatley to: fv-3815-23.refletters@astro.su.se

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
• Research proposal (no more than 3 pages) describing:
  – why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement
  – why and how you wish to complete the project
  – what makes you suitable for the project in question
• Copy of PhD diploma
• Publications in support of your application (no more than 3 files).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

You are welcome to apply!

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