Vacancy for a Research and development team
-- PostDoc, Programmer and PhD student --
the VICI project The Final Parsec
Institution: Astronomical Institute 'Anton Pannekoek' and
Section Computational Science, University of Amsterdam
Programmer vacancy number: not yet available
Software engineer vacancy number: not yet available
PhD student vacancy number: not yet available
Description:
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Join our research team and help us simulate what happens when two
galaxies collide within the VICI project The Final Parsec
The objective is to study the merging of super-massive black holes in
the central regions of galaxies throughout the process in which two
galaxies merge. Our theoretical understanding of the circumstances
under which super-massive black holes (SMBHs) coalesce is poorly
developed, in particular if the host galaxies contain little gas. The
research will be conducted using hierarchical and hybrid simulation
environments in with Barnes-Hut Tree-code and direct N-body
integration methods will be combined in order to solve the equations
of motion of the galaxies and their central black holes. The
calculations will be run on a cluster graphical processing units. The
available positions require frequent interactions within the research
team and with international collaborators. Successful candidates
should have an advanced degree in computational science, astrophysics
or a related field. Experience in software development and programming
in Python, C/C++ and CUDA are an advantage, as is an interest and
experience in galaxy mergers, the dynamics around super-massive black
holes and stellar dynamics in general.
We have currently 3 job openings:
one PostDoctoral (3 years),
one Programmer (2 years) and
one PhD (4 years)
The aim for the Postdoctoral fellow is to simulate the
mergers of galaxies with sufficient resolution to resolve the moment
that the SMBHs form a hard binary, at a separation of about one
parsec. He or she will will support the development of the hybrid
N-body code (see the Final Parsec Document for studying galaxy
mergers and carry out simulations of dry mergers. These simulations
will be used to study the dynamics of the central portion of
amalgamated galaxies. The Postdoc should start as soon as the project
starts.
The objective for the PhD student is to understand the
dynamics of single and binary SMBHs in galactic nuclei. This will be
achieved in assisting the development of the hybrid N-body code (see
the Final Parsec) and by studying the dynamical processes within the
sphere of influence of the SMBH.
The aim for the programmer is to supervise the building of a
GPU-based computer (see the Final Parsec
Document) and assist in porting the software to the special
architecture. By building a parallel computer with GPUs, we gain the
flexibility, communication characteristics and the raw super-computer
power required for the large scale simulations. programmer will
support the construction of the hardware and support the further
developments, optimization and parallelization of various algorithms
needed for the project. The programmer should start as soon as
possible and work closely with the two postdoctoral researchers.
The successful candidate will participate in the research team to
study the physics of galaxy mergers.
Position requirements:
---------------------
We are looking for: 1 PhD student, 1 software engineer and 1
postdoctoral researcher. Each candidate should have an advanced
degree in computational science, astrophysics or a related field.
Experience in software development and programming in Python or C/C++
are an advantage. You will be working as a problem solver in an
international research team. The candidate need to perform on a
scientific level.
An interest in astrophysics and numerical applications is an
advantage, as is experience in any of the astronomical applications
(stellar dynamics, stellar evolution, hydrodynamics or radiative
transfer). Are you interest in research and would like to use your
unique skills to support the development of our problem solving
environments this may be the job for you.
Organization:
------------
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is a university with an
internationally acclaimed profile, located at the heart of the Dutch
capital. As well as a world center for business and research,
Amsterdam is a hub of cultural and media activities. The University of
Amsterdam is a member of the League of European Research Universities.
The Faculty of Science at the Universiteit van Amsterdam is one of
Europe's foremost institutions of higher education and research in its
chosen fields of specialization. It plays an active role in
international science networks and collaborates with universities and
industry. The Faculty has approximately 2,000 students and 1,500 staff
members spread over four departments and ten research institutes. Each
institute has its own research program, a substantial part of which
is externally funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific
Research (NWO), the Dutch government, the EU and various private
enterprises.
Details of appointment:
----------------------
The appointment will be on a temporary basis for a period of two
(Programmer), three (PostDoc) and 4 (PhD student) years. The salary
will be in accordance with the University regulations for academic
personnel (Collective Labor Agreement) and is fixed for the PhD
student, the programmer and Postdoc salaries depend on previous
experience and range from € 2.379,- to a maximum of € 4.374,- gross
per month based on a full-time appointment and depending on
qualifications and previous experience. The salary will be increased
with 8 % holiday allowance and 8,3 % end-of-year bonus.
Interested candidates should send their resume, cover letter and three
letters of recommendation (Postdoc and Software engineer only) to the
above address or email to application-science@uva.nl (write VICI in
the subject heading).
Submit resumes to: drs. S.H.M. Jongerius
Universiteit van Amsterdam,
Faculty of Science (Office of Personnel)
Kruislaan 403
1098 SM Amsterdam
the Netherlands
email: application-science@uva.nl
For more information:
---------------------
Dr. S. Porteiges Zwart
email S.PortegiesZwart@uva.nl
Tel. +31 20 525 7491/7492
FAX: +31 20 525 7484
URL1: http://staff.science.uva.nl/~spz/ (P.I. Homepage)
URL2: http://modesta.science.uva.nl/ (Modeling Dense Stellar Systems project page)
The closing date for receipt of applications: 1 March 2009