Description:

THE DARK MATTERS PROJECT AT THE INSTITUT D'ASTROPHYSIQUE DE PARIS

Starting in 2011, several postdoctoral positions will be available at the Paris Institute for Astrophysics (IAP) to work with Professors Joe Silk and Pierre Fayet, together with senior visiting group members Celine Boehm (Durham), Marco Cirelli (Saclay) and Pedro Ferreira (Oxford) and colleagues. The research will focus on questions in particle astrophysics centered around the themes of dark matter and dark energy, and include topics such as particle phenomenology, early universe cosmology, the cosmic microwave background, large-scale structure and galaxy formation.

The positions are funded by the European Research Council and will have a duration of between two and three years, with possible extension to 5 years in exceptional circumstances. Successful candidates will have access to the unparalleled research environment at IAP and in the Paris region, excellent computing infrastructure, as well as generous travel and research funds. IAP is the leading institute in France for cosmology, gravitation, and astrophysics with more than 60 associated researchers, plus postdocs and PhD students, and an extensive international visitors program. IAP members participate in leading roles in a wide range of cosmology research programs, including BOSS, Planck, CFHTLS, and the proposed EUCLID and CORE space missions.

Please apply by e-mail (subject: 'ERC positions') to Ms. Chantal Le Vaillant (vaillant@iap.fr) and arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent to the IAP by December 10, 2010. The application should include brief statements of research accomplishments and interests (not exceeding 2 pages each), a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and a list of publications. Late applications will also be considered until the positions are filled.

The Dark Matters project will be coordinated with a parallel project on Astrophysical Cosmology led by Professor Ben Wandelt, funded by the Agence Nationale de Recherche, and also hosted at the IAP. All applicants for these 'Excellence Chair positions' will be included in the applicant pool for the 'ERC positions': in this case, an email expression of interest will suffice.

Contact:

Letters of Reference should be sent to: silk@astro.ox.ac.uk