Researcher in Astrophysics with focus on evolved stars - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Are you interested in working with observational astrophysics, with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favourable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a postdoctoral position at Uppsala University.

The research conducted at the Department of Physics and Astronomy covers a wide range of physics subjects, divided into ten departments. Research in astronomy and astrophysics in the Division of Astronomy and Space Physics places particular emphasis on combining observations made with state-of-the-art instrumentation with advanced modelling based on the fundamental principles of physics. The division has a broad teaching programme at undergraduate and postgraduate level, participates in leading national and international research projects, has access to observational and computational infrastructure and actively contributes to popular science activities. For more information, please visit http://www.astro.uu.se.

Duties/project description

Evolved stars play a crucial role for the cosmic matter cycle and the origin of life. Critical chemical elements, like carbon, are produced inside luminous cool giant stars, transported to the surface by turbulent gas flows, and ejected into interstellar space by massive outflows of gas and dust. The current knowledge of stellar winds is incomplete, and does not allow us to fully understand their effects on the evolution of stars, and how they enrich their surroundings with newly produced elements and cosmic dust. Project EXWINGS (https://www.astro.uu.se/exwings), funded by the European Research Council with an ERC Advanced Grant, aims at a breakthrough in understanding the winds of cool giant and supergiant stars. Recently, we have developed a new type of models: global dynamical star-and-wind-in-a-box simulations, in full 3D geometry. State-of-the-art astronomical instruments, which give images and spectra of the stellar atmospheres where the winds originate, allow us to test the new models.

The researcher will be a member of the EXWINGS team, working together with Susanne Höfner, Bernd Freytag, and other team members. The main task will be to compute synthetic spectra based on dynamic models for Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) and red supergiant (RSG) stars, and comparing them to state-of-the-art observations.

Requirements
To qualify for an employment as a researcher you must have a PhD degree or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in Astronomy or Physics. Furthermore, candidates should be fluent in English and have the capacity to work both independently and in collaboration with the team. Applications should include a brief description of research interests and relevant experience, CV, certificates and diplomas, and contact details for at least one reference person. 

Additional qualifications

Practical experience with simulations of radiative transfer in stellar atmospheres and winds, linking their dynamics to observable spectra, or with relevant observational techniques (in particular spectroscopy at infrared wavelengths) applied to AGB and RSG stars, as well as a good working knowledge of relevant opacity data, will be considered a merit. Candidates will also be assessed on their potential for performing the relevant duties and contributing to the positive development of the research environment.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position, 6 months. Scope of employment 100%. Starting date 1 September. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Susanne Höfner (susanne.hoefner@physics.uu.se), Professor of Theoretical Astrophysics.

Please submit your application by 20 June 2024, UFV-PA 2024/2132.

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