PhD & Postdoc positions at Radbound University, Nijmegen, NL

Several PostDoc and PhD positions in astrophysics, radio astronomy
and astroparticle physics at Radboud University in Nijmegen, the
Netherlands.

Due to a large grant from the European Research Council (ERC) and
other national sources (NWO/NOVA), several PostDoc and PhD positions
covering a wide range of topics are or are expected to be available
over the next year.

The radio astronomy and astroparticle physics of the Radboud
University group is heavily involved in commissioning and
exploitation of the new low-digital radio telescope LOFAR, the
biggest of its kind in the world. Also, the group is a collaborator
of the Pierre Auger observatory.

The LOFAR activities focus on three of the main Key Science
projects. In particular the positions are available in the following
areas: 1) the direct detection of Ultra-High energy cosmic rays
(UHECRs) and neutrinos in air and on the moon, 2) the search for
sources of ultra-fast astrophysical radio bursts, and 3) all-sky
radio surveys of radio sources with particular emphasis on potential
UHECR sources.

The Auger activities involve the design and construction of a newly
funded radio detector array for Auger as well as composition and
clustering analysis of UHECRs.

We are looking for exceptional candidates who are strongly motivated
to pursue a rigorous research program with top international
astrophysical facilities. The candidates are expected to have a
solid background in physics, astrophysics, and/or astroparticle
physics and be able to work and interact in a multidisciplinary
international team. Additional skills such as software development
(c++/python), Monte Carlo simulations, radio astronomy data
analysis, or electronics design and development can be useful.

The campus of the Radboud University, hosting 17.500 students, is
located within a few biking minutes of the downtown area of the
lively city of Nijmegen, the oldest in the Netherlands. The city is
close to the German border and major city centers in the Netherlands
and Germany (e.g., Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, the Ruhrgebiet,
Cologne) are within about an hour's drive. The young and rapidly
growing astronomy department at the Radboud University offers a
pleasant and collegial work environment. It is firmly embedded in
the NL astronomy community through the national top research school
NOVA. There are strong ties with the local high-energy physics
department, as well as with national research institutes in
Astronomy and particle physics, such as ASTRON, NIKHEF, and KVI.

Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a publication list,
a brief (1 page max.) statement of research interests, and two
letters of reference to be sent separately. Review of applications
will begin on Nov 1st and continue until all positions are filled.
The salary will be on the standard Dutch university scale, which
will start from an average 2042 Euros gross/month for PhD positions
and an average ranging from 2850 to 3300 gross/month for PostDoc
positions depending on experience (taxes roughly being 20%-30%; some
special agreements for foreigners exist).

Please submit resumes preferentially by email to pz@science.ru.nl or
by postal mail to Mw. M. Nelemans, Afdeling P & O, Radboud
Universiteit Nijmegen, Postbus 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The
Netherlands. Please refer to jobnr. 62.81.08 for a PhD position and
to jobnr. 62.80.08 for a PostDoc position.

Closing date is December 15, 2008. Search will continue until all
positions are filled.

Further information can be obtained from the group leader, Prof.
Heino Falcke, h.falcke@astro.ru.nl.