"Postdoctoral Researcher in Gravitational Wave Astroparticle Physics (GRAPPA, University of Amsterdam)"

Job Description

Are you interested to work at the interface of general relativity, gravitational wave astrophysics, and dark matter phenomenology within the ERC Advanced Grant “De Tenebris”, led by Prof. Gianfranco Bertone? GRAPPA is looking for an ambitious Postdoctoral researcher. The successful candidate will help advance theory and computational modelling of compact binaries in astrophysical/dark matter environments, and contribute to the interpretation of current and future gravitational wave observations.

Join Us! GRAPPA is the centre of excellence in gravitation, astroparticle physics, and cosmology at the University of Amsterdam, located at Amsterdam Science Park, with a lively seminar culture and strong ties to LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA, LISA, and Einstein Telescope initiatives. The postdocs will collaborate with GRAPPA faculty (S. Ando, D. Baumann, G. Bertone, P. Decowski, B. Freivogel, A. Heijboer, S. Markoff, P. Moesta, S. Nissanke, J. Vink, A. Watts, C. Weniger), postdocs, and students, as well as external partners in the broader GW and dark matter communities.

What you will do

• Conduct independent and collaborative research on gravitational wave signatures of dark matter and related environments around black holes;
• Develop and validate theoretical and computational models to a standard suitable for robust data interpretation;
• Present results at group meetings, seminars, and international conferences; lead and co-author publications;
• Engage with and support students and the broader project team; contribute to open-science practices (documentation, reproducibility).

What we ask of you

You thrive at the interface of theory, computation, and data, and you enjoy collaborating across subfields. Your experience & profile: PhD in Physics, Astronomy, or a closely related discipline (at start); Strong background in General Relativity / GW astrophysics or cosmological/N-body simulations; Demonstrated expertise in scientific computing; Track record of research excellence commensurate with career stage (publications, talks). It is a preference if you additionally have experience with GW source/environment modelling, post-Newtonian/perturbative methods, cosmological simulations, or GW data analysis.

What we offer you

We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for a period of 24 months (2 years, full-time), with a possibility of extension subject to funding and performance. The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between €3,546 to €5,538 (Scale 10). In exceptional cases, if you can demonstrate that you have extensive and relevant experience; and during the selection process it becomes apparent that you are capable of performing the role at a more senior level, classification in scale 11 may be possible. The salary does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Postdoctoral researcher 4 (or 3) is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. This position there will be budget for travel, collaboration visits, computing, access to GRAPPA’s lively scientific environment and the Amsterdam Science Park research ecosystem.

You will work in this team

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain. The Institute of Physics (IoP) of the University of Amsterdam is located in the centre of the Amsterdam Science Park. The IoP – as part of the Faculty of Science –is housed in a modern building with excellent labs and technical facilities. Surrounded by several national research institutes and with our partners at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, the institute is part of a strong physics centre of international standing. You will be based at GRAPPA — an internationally recognized hub in gravitation, astroparticle physics, and cosmology. GRAPPA hosts experts in gravitational waves, numerical relativity, multimessenger astrophysics, and dark matter, and collaborates with LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA, LISA, and the Einstein Telescope communities.