The new Faculty of Science consists of six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information and Computing Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Mathematics. The Faculty is home to 3500 students and nearly 2000 staff and is internationally renowned for the quality of its research. The Faculty's academic programmes reflect developments in today's society.
The Astronomical Institute, part of the Dutch Research School for Astronomy (NOVA), has an international reputation in the areas of high-energy astrophysics, stellar evolution and theoretical astrophysics.
PhD-researcher in Computational Astrophysics (1 fte)
Job description
A position is available at the Astronomical Institute of Utrecht University for a PhD-student interested in Theoretical and Computational Astrophysics.
This position is a shared position between the Dutch Research School for Astronomy (NOVA) and the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO Exact Sciences.
The student is expected to work in the field of high-energy astrophysics and in particular on the subject of relativistic shocks in magnetized astrophysical plasmas.
Such shocks are essential ingredients in any theory of Gamma Ray Bursts and in the powerful jets associated with Active Galactic Nuclei. They are believed to be responsible for the acceleration of particles to high energy. These particles power the observed non-thermal emission from Gamma Ray Bursts and Jets, and may contribute to the flux of Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays that is observed at Earth.
This work will involve the development of the theory of these shocks through analytical work, and by direct numerical simulation using the AMRVAC code. This state-of-the-art software package can accurately handle magnetized plasma flows with very high Lorentz factors, and its grid-adaptivity and parallel implementation will allow a study of Active Galactic Nuclei jets and their interaction with interstellar clouds.
The numerical work will be done in close cooperation with Prof. Rony Keppens of the Centre for Plasma-Astrophysics of Leuven University (KUL, Belgium) and the FOM-Institute for Plasma Physics Rijnhuizen (Nieuwegein).
As is customary, the candidate is expected to complete a PhD thesis at the conclusion of his/her employment.
Qualifications
The candidate should have successfully completed a study in Physics, Applied Mathematics or Astronomy, holding a MSc degree from a reputable institution. Experience with modern numerical methods as used in numerical (Magneto-) hydrodynamics is an advantage.
It is expected that the PhD student will spend part of his time in Leuven for this purpose.
Terms of employment
The candidate is offered a full-time position for the period of four years, subject to review after the first year. The gross salary is in the range between € 2,000.- per month in the first year and increases to € 2,558.- per month in the fourth year of employment.
The salary is supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 6,4% per year. In addition we offer: a pension scheme, a partially paid parental leave, flexible employment conditions in which you may trade salary for vacation days or vice versa. Conditions are based on the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities. The research group will provide the candidate with necessary support on all aspects of the project.
Further details
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from: Prof. A. Achterberg, Telephone + 31 30 253 5211, e-mail: a.achterberg@astro.uu.nl.
How to apply
Please send your application (including a letter of motivation, curriculum vitae and contact details of at least two references) before May 15th 2008 to P&O Bèta, Postbus 80.010, 3508 TA Utrecht, e-mail: Science.Peno@uu.nl. Please mention vacancy number 63802.
Publication date
01-04-2008
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