Author: Marcus Mohring

The determination of the equation of state and composition of ultra-dense matter from multi-messenger astrophysical observations remains a central challenge in nuclear physics and high-energy astrophysics. Within this context, the LuTH-Caen theory group, as part of the Virgo collaboration, itself part of the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA consortium, has established a recognized expertise in the theoretical modeling of ultra-dense stellar matter and the development of advanced statistical methods for quantifying theoretical uncertainties and their impact on the confidence intervals of astronomical observables.

Application Deadline: March 27th 2025

This postdoctoral project aims to generate quantitative predictions for the key parameters governing the emission of detectable gravitational wave signals from compact objects, incorporating the uncertainties inherent in the underlying microphysics. Specifically, the successful candidate will focus on parameter estimation in one of two contexts: neutron star binary coalescence, either during the inspiral or post-merger phase, or the continuous gravitational waves emitted by isolated neutron stars.
Within this framework, the successful candidate will contribute to the interpretation of signals from past and ongoing LVK observational campaigns, as well as to the preparation for third-generation interferometers, including post-O5 and the Einstein Telescope. The research will specifically aim to constrain the microscopic properties of dense hadronic matter, such as the nuclear equation of state, and to identify potential signatures of deconfinement phase transitions.

Activities

The successful postdoctoral fellow will be responsible for maintaining and further developing the Bayesian analysis tools for equation-of-state inference within the LPC theory group. This work will be carried out in close collaboration with group members from GANIL and the Strasbourg Observatory, the latter being conducting numerical relativity simulations of post-merger remnants. Depending on the candidate’s previous research experience and interests, there may also be opportunities to contribute to the group’s theoretical developments related to the modeling of dense and superfluid matter in neutron stars. The candidate is expected to contribute to research activities and topics such as:

• Development of the CUTER tool for the improvement of parameter estimation using microphysics informed equations of state, see https://zenodo.org/records/10781539
• Numerical simulations for the physics case prospects of third generation interferometers
• Theoretical modelling of the zero and finite temperature nuclear equation of state and its possible phase transitions, with both effective and microscopic models
• Development and analysis of neutron star cooling simulations and applications to the measurable properties of the neutron star crust

Skills

The successful candidate must have a PhD in theoretical nuclear physics, gravitational wave data analysis or numerical hydrodynamics. Proficiency in scientific programming (C, C++, Python) and numerical simulations is expected. Familiarity with software development tools such as git and gitlab, while not essential, would be an advantage.

Work Context

The successful candidate will be assigned to the theory and phenomenology team, within the Corpuscular Physics Laboratory of Caen.
The team has a longstanding experience in theoretical nuclear modelling. Since 2020, it is part of the Virgo collaboration within a theoretical group including researchers from the astronomical observatory in Strasbourg, and the GANIL laboratory in Caen.
The LPC CAEN, with about 100 staff, is a joint research unit (UMR 6534) under the supervision of three institutions: the CNRS, the University of Caen Normandy (UCN) and the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Ingénieurs de Caen (ENSICAEN). It is located on Campus 2 of the University of Caen (Campus Côte de Nacre) and is part of the research park of ENSICAEN (www.lpc-caen.in2p3.fr/).

Please find here full details.

DESY-Fellowships in Experimental Particle Physics; Remuneration Group 13; Limited: 2 years; Starting date: after Agreement; ID: FHFE001/2025; Deadline: 31.03.2025; Full-time/Part-time.

DESY, with more than 2900 employees at its two locations in Hamburg and Zeuthen, is one of the world’s leading research centres. Its research focuses on decoding the structure and function of matter, from the smallest particles of the universe to the building blocks of life. In this way, DESY contributes to solving the major questions and urgent challenges facing science, society and industry. With its ultramodern research infrastructure, its interdisciplinary research platforms and its international networks, DESY offers a highly attractive working environment in the fields of science, technology and administration as well as for the education of highly qualified young scientists.

We participate in leading roles in particle physics projects on our campus and in international laboratories such as CERN or KEK. We develop technologies for detectors and accelerators, and work on scientific computing. We operate important infrastructures such as the Tier2 centre or the test beam facility at DESY.

DESY Fellowships in Experimental Particle Physics are selected twice a year. Interested applicants who have recently completed their PhD are requested to submit their application including the scientific background and the usual documents (letter of motivation, research interest, CV, list of publications, copies of university degrees, three letters of reference) for the respective selection round via our application portal. The statement of future research should include both, physics analysis as well as detector or performance related interests. Application Deadline: March 31st, 2025.

The decision on the awarding of a fellowship for the 1/2025 selection round is presumably made on May 31.

About your role:

You are invited to take an active role in one or more of the following projects in Hamburg:

• The ATLAS and CMS experiments at CERN or the Belle II experiment at KEK
• Experimental activities on-site (ALPS II and preparation of future on-site experiments at DESY)
• Preparations for future particle physics experiments, in particular detector and technology development
• Scientific computing
• Accelerator development (plasma wakefield)

Good reasons to join:

Look forward to a unique working environment on our international research campus. Respectful cooperation and the well-being of our DESY employees are particularly important to us. Gender equality is an important aspect for us. To support work life balance we offer flexible working hours, variable part-time, job-sharing models and participation in mobile work (up to 50%). You will benefit from our family-friendly and collegial atmosphere, our established health management and occupational pension provision. As a public funded employer, we offer you a secure workplace and facilitate your individual career with our comprehensive training and development opportunities. Remuneration is according to the regulations of the TV-AVH. DESY offers its employees a financial supplement for a German job ticket (Deutschland-Ticket) at both locations.

About you:

Ph.D. in physics (To be eligible, you have to take up the position at the latest 5 years after your doctorate)
Interest in particle physics, accelerator/detector development or scientific computing
Expertise relevant in at least one of the areas listed above

Further informations about the DESY-Fellowship can be found here: http://www.desy.de/FellowFH

Please arrange for three letters of reference to be sent to the DESY human resource department by using our online tool: Additional application documents.

Please find here full details.