Job Offers

For doctoral positions please see "Graduate Study".

String Cosmology

The 'String Cosmology' group at the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute) invites applications for a postdoctoral position starting in the fall of 2012.

This new research group is currently being set up and will be headed by J.-L. Lehners. The aim will be to analyse current cosmological models from the point of view of string theory, and to explore the implications of new string theoretic ideas for our understanding and modeling of the early universe. Topics of interest include: observational signatures in the CMB of stringy models of inflation as well as of the cyclic universe, conceptual differences between inflation and cyclic theories, inflationary model building in the various incarnations of string theory, cosmological bounces via the AdS/CFT correspondence and violations of the null energy condition. Applicants need not have research experience in both string theory and cosmology, but should have a strong interest in both disciplines. It is anticipated that there will be close interactions with the 'Quantum Gravity and Unified Theories' division (H. Nicolai, S. Theisen, A. Kleinschmidt). .

The appointment will be for two or three years (to be determined) and will start at or around the beginning of the academic year 2012. There is no formal deadline for applications - however, applicants are encouraged to submit by early December when the first round of applications will be considered. Women and people from minority backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply. For further information contact J.-L. Lehners at jlehners@princeton.edu or jlehners@perimeterinstitute.ca.

To apply please submit a curriculum vitae, list of publications and statement of research interests electronically via the website.

https://lotus1.aei.mpg.de/job-form.nsf/applyQG.xsp

Contact:
Frau Christine Gottschalkson
Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik
Albert-Einstein-Institut
Am Mühlenberg 1
D-14476 Golm
Germany
email: christine.gottschalkson@aei.mpg.de

This postdoc search is conducted in collaboration with the research division "Quantum Gravity and Unified Theories" (Nicolai, Theisen, Kleinschmidt) at the AEI as well as the groups “Quantum Field Theory beyond the Standard Model and String Theory” (Plefka) and “Mathematical Physics of Space, Time and Matter” (Staudacher) at Humboldt University Berlin and “Mathematical Physics” (Beisert, Gaberdiel), topic: integrable models, at ETH Zürich. Only one application is necessary for consideration in all of these groups.

Quantum Gravity and Unified Theories

The Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute) invites applications for research positions in the following areas.

• Unified field theories, in particular supersymmetric quantum field theories, supergravity and Kaluza Klein theories
• Superstring theory
• Supermembranes and matrix theories
• Canonical quantisation of gravity, in particular loop and spin foam quantum gravity
• Path integral and discrete approaches to quantum gravity
• Conceptual issues of quantum gravity
• Infinite-dimensional symmetries in gravity
• Classical and quantum cosmology
• Quantum field theory in curved backgrounds
• Aspects of the AdS/CFT correspondence

The division “Quantum Gravity and Unified Theories” (Nicolai, Theisen, Kleinschmidt) is concerned with the unification of general relativity and quantum mechanics into a theory of quantum gravity which should also incorporate the other fundamental forces in nature in a consistent fashion. This is the research area where the most exciting insights can be expected in our picture of how Nature ‘works’ at the most fundamental level. Because there is at this time no generally accepted theory of quantum gravity that would meet all the requirements, the division aims to represent the major approaches, and therefore encourages diversity of as well as ‘interdisciplinary’ ansätze towards a solution of the problem of quantum gravity.

There are close interactions with the research divisions “Astrophysical Relativity”, “Geometric Analysis and Gravitation” and the research groups “Microscopic Quantum Structure and Dynamics of Spacetime” and “String Cosmology” at the Albert Einstein Institute, as well as with the universities in Berlin and Potsdam.

Postdoctoral appointments typically are for two years, usually starting at the beginning of the academic year in October. In exceptional cases, and depending on performance, extensions beyond two years may be possible. There is no formal deadline for applications, as positions will be filled on the basis of availability. Applicants are, however, encouraged to submit by early December when the first round of applications is considered for the following academic year. Women are especially encouraged to apply. For further information contact H. Nicolai, S. Theisen or A. Kleinschmidt at
http://www.aei.mpg.de.

A limited number of PhD-scholarships is available, compare also the website of our
International Max Planck Research School

To apply please submit a curriculum vitae, list of publications and statement of research interests electronically via the website
https://lotus1.aei.mpg.de/job-form.nsf/applyQG.xsp.

Please also arrange for three letters of recommendation to be written on your behalf. Referees will be asked to upload the letters following your application. Alternatively, they can be e-mailed to qgpostdocs@aei.mpg.de or mailed to

Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik
Albert-Einstein-Institut
Frau Christine Gottschalkson
Am Mühlenberg 1
D-14476 Golm
Germany

This postdoc search is conducted in collaboration with the research groups “String Cosmology” (Lehners) at the AEI as well as the groups “Quantum Field Theory beyond the Standard Model and String Theory” (Plefka) and “Mathematical Physics of Space, Time and Matter” (Staudacher) at Humboldt University Berlin and “Mathematical Physics” (Beisert, Gaberdiel), topic: integrable models, at ETH Zürich. Only one application is necessary for consideration in these groups.

Postdoctoral Position (Gravitational Wave Group)

New round of calls for applications coming soon ...

POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS IN GEOMETRIC ANALYSIS AND GRAVITATION

The Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute) will fill research positions in the areas

• Mathematical Relativity
• Geometric Analysis
• Geometric Measure Theory

Research programs concern the mathematical foundations of general relativity and related physical theories, they are based in analysis, geometry and numerical analysis. In particular, nonlinear partial differential equations are a common theme of our research.

The Einstein field equations model both the behaviour of global cosmological models and of isolated gravitating systems such as stars, black holes and galaxies. Our research addresses the qualitative and quantitative properties of solutions with respect to their local and global behaviour, singularity formation and numerical simulation and investigates the close correspondence between geometrical structures and physical concepts. Other field equations arise from string theory and the consideration of matter in modern mathematical models in elasticity, fluids, electromagnetism and gauge theories.

Several mathematical projects are concerned with the geometrical structure of space and time. They involve geometrical variational principles characterizing specific models in geometry and physics as well as geometric evolution equations like the mean curvature flow of surfaces and the Ricci-flow of Riemannian metrics.

The Max Planck research group “Geometric Measure Theory” is centred round geometric regularity questions concerning singular submanifolds of Euclidean space. This study is often based on a strong connection to elliptic partial differential equations.

There are close interactions with the research sections "Astrophysical Relativity" and "Quantum Gravity and Unified Theories" in the Albert Einstein Institute, as well as with the universities in Berlin and Potsdam.

Postdoctoral appointments typically are for two years, starting September 2012 or earlier.

A limited number of PhD-scholarships is available, compare also the website of our "International-Max-Planck-Research-School", http://www.aei.mpg.de/imprs/index.html.

To apply please fill out this form: https://lotus1.aei.mpg.de/job-form.nsf/math-rel-jobs.xsp

or submit a curriculum vitae, list of publications and statement of research interests, and arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to math-rel-jobs@aei.mpg.de.

Contact:
Frau Anne Lampe
Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik
Albert-Einstein-Institut
Am Mühlenberg 1
D-14476 Golm
Germany
Email: math-rel-jobs@aei.mpg.de

The deadline for applications in the initial round of appointments is 15. December 2011. The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer, therefore women are especially encouraged to apply. The Max Planck Society is also committed to employ more handicapped individuals and especially encourages them to apply.
For further information please contact L. Andersson, G. Huisken, U. Menne or A. Rendall at the address http://www.aei.mpg.de.

Scientific positions in Hannover

In 2007, the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute, AEI) in Hannover, Germany launched a new research division "Observational Relativity and Cosmology" under the direction of Prof. Dr. Bruce Allen. The Hannover branch of the AEI is a joint undertaking of the LEIBNIZ University Hannover and the MPG. It has approximately 80 scientists and support staff, state-of-the-art electronics and mechanical workshops, optics labs, and other specialized facilities.

The initial focus of the new division will be the search for gravitational waves, as part of the LIGO, VIRGO, and LIGO scientific collaborations. By the end of 2007 the division will have dedicated computing facilities (400TB storage and 2500 CPU cores) optimized for data analysis and Monte Carlo simulations, and core technical staff including programmers and system administrators.

The division is seeking to fill approximately ten scientific positions at the postdoctoral to senior level, including visiting, fixed term (2-5 year) and permanent appointments. Applications are welcome at any time. They should include a short cover letter and a statement of research interests. Applicants for postdoctoral positions should have three letters of reference sent directly; applicants for other positions should include contact information for at least three references. Materials should be sent electronically to office-hannover@aei.mpg.de with Subject "New hires". Further information about the AEI may be found at http://www.aei.mpg.de/.

The Max Planck Society wants to raise the proportion of women in areas where they are under-represented. Women are therefore especially encouraged to apply. The Max Planck Society also wishes to employ more severely challenged persons, whose applications are also encouraged.

Job offer as PDF [41 KB]