########################################### Table of Contents ########################################### 1. Conferences 1.1. BritGrav21, Dublin, Ireland 1.2. Quantum Gravity, Higher Derivatives and Nonlocality, (online) 1.3. XV Iberian Cosmology Meeting, Online 1.4. YITP long-term workshop "Gravity and Cosmology 2021", Kyoto, Japan 1.5. Yukawa International Seminar "Gravity -The Next Generation-", Kyoto, Japan 1.6. Current Challenges in Gravitational Physics, Trieste, Italy (online) 1.7. Tehran Meeting on Cosmology at the Crossroads, Tehran, Iran 2. Jobs 2.1. Postdoctoral position at UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico 2.2. PhD position in quantum gravity, Odense, Denmark 2.3. Several PhD positions "Quantum Universe" cluster, Hamburg, Germany 2.4. Postdoctoral Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Illinois at Chicago, USA 2.5. PhD and postdoctoral positions in "Observation and Astrophysics of Compact-binary Mergers", Hannover, Germany 2.6. Gravitational-wave positions at Ghent University, Belgium 2.7. PhD positions at SISSA, Trieste, Italy 2.8. Postdoctoral position in gravitational-wave detection with pulsar timing arrays, Caltech, Pasadena, USA 2.9. PhD position in Quantum Gravity at Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands 3. News 3.1. GRG Editor's Choice: Resolving the H_0 tension with diffusion 3.2. New book: Hermann Weyl, Space-Time-Matter 3.3. Living Reviews in Relativity: "Time-delay interferometry" ============================================== 1. Conferences ============================================== 1.1. BritGrav21, Dublin, Ireland --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=20675 Starting: 2021-04-12 to 2021-04-16 Location: University College Dublin, Ireland Additional Information: https://sites.google.com/view/britgrav21 Contact: britgrav21[AT]maths.ucd.ie The 21st BritGrav meeting will be hosted by the School of Mathematics and Statistics at University College Dublin. The meeting will be held online, with sessions scheduled for the afternoons of the week starting Monday 12 April 2021. The aim of this meeting is to bring together early-stage researchers working on all aspects of gravitational physics, including astrophysics, cosmology, general relativity, quantum gravity, gravitational-wave data analysis and instrumentation, in the spirit of collaboration and the free exchange of results and ideas. In keeping with BritGrav tradition, the meeting will consist of short talks with priority given to PhD students and early-career researchers. Registration is free, and the deadline for abstract submission is 14 March 2021. At the end of the meeting, we will award the Best Student Talk Prize, sponsored by the IOP Publishing Group. Local Organisers: Barry Wardell, Adrian Ottewill, Niels Warburton, Sarp Akcay, Vojtech Witzany, Conor O'Toole, Josh Mathews, Leanne Durkan, Benjamin Leather, Philip Lynch, Kevin Kiely, Jake Williams and Chris Devitt. For inquiries please contact us at britgrav21[AT]maths.ucd.ie. For further updates on this and other events, please consider signing up to the UK Gravity mailing list https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?SUBED1=IOP-GRAVITATIONAL&A=1 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.2. Quantum Gravity, Higher Derivatives and Nonlocality, (online) --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=20725 Starting: 2021-03-08 to 2021-03-12 Location: International Online Workshop Additional Information: https://www.qgrav2021.com/ Contact: buoninfante.l.aa[AT]m.titech.ac.jp The main objective of the international workshop "Quantum Gravity, Higher Derivatives and Nonlocality" is to assess our current understanding of the interplay between gravity and quantum mechanics by discussing what is the main role of higher derivatives and nonlocality in the quantization of gravity, and whether they are really necessary to describe Nature at the fundamental level. In addition to discussing formal aspects of several approaches, applications of higher derivatives and nonlocality will be also explored, especially in the context of cosmology and black-hole physics. Different schools of thought will be brought together, in such a way that everyone can benefit from fruitful discussions and learn from each other. In addition to individual talks, discussion sessions will help making the meeting more exciting and productive, so as to become the source of constructive debates and new insights, and to push our quantum-gravity community towards deeper understandings. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.3. XV Iberian Cosmology Meeting, Online --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=20727 Starting: 2021-03-29 to 2021-03-31 Location: Portugal (online) Additional Information: https://ibericos2021.math.tecnico.ulisboa.pt Contact: ibericos15.2021[AT]gmail.com The XV Iberian Cosmology meeting will be held online via Zoom from the 29th to the 31st of March 2021. The meeting is jointly organised by the University of Coimbra and Instituto Superior Tecnico, University of Lisbon. Registration is now open in the conference webpage. The invited speakers are: - Alessandro Melchiorri (Universita' di Roma La Sapienza), "Planck evidence for a closed universe and a possible crisis for Cosmology" - Jerome Martin (CNRS/Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris), "The quantum origin of the galaxies" - Jose Senovilla (Universidad del Pais Vasco), "Mathematics in Cosmology" and there will also be a special talk in tribute to the life and work of John Barrow by - Jose Mimoso (Universidade de Lisboa). These meetings aim to encourage interactions and collaborations between researchers working in cosmology and related areas in Portugal and Spain. Researchers working in other countries are also most welcome. Please feel free to send this announcement to other scientists that may be interested in attending. The meetings are informal and there is no registration fee. All participants wishing to give a talk may submit a title and abstract when they register. The deadline for abstract submission is March 6, 2021 and a preliminary program will appear on the webpage shortly after. Moreover, these meetings are not restricted to a single topic but are open to cosmologists in the broadest sense, from mathematical cosmology and theoretical particle physics to observational astrophysics. They are also designed to encourage the presentation of work in progress. We look forward to seeing you! The local organizing committee Alexandre Correia (Univ. Coimbra) Artur Alho (IST, Univ. Lisboa) Filipe Mena (IST, Univ. Lisboa) Joao Rosa (Univ. Coimbra) Miguel Zilhao (IST, Univ. Lisboa) Nuno Peixinho (Univ. Coimbra) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.4. YITP long-term workshop "Gravity and Cosmology 2021", Kyoto, Japan --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=20764 Starting: 2022-01-31 to 2022-03-04 Location: Kyoto, Japan Additional Information: https://www2.yukawa.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~gc2022/index.php Contact: gc2022[AT]yukawa.kyoto-u.ac.jp We previously announced a long-term workshop "Gravity and Cosmology 2021" (GC2021) to be held in May-June 2021 at Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics (YITP), Kyoto, Japan. However, given the covid-19 situation, we decided to postpone it to January 31 - March 4, 2022 and to rename it to "Gravity and Cosmology 2022" (GC2022). This is one of series of long-term workshops held at YITP. The aim of the workshop is to gather researchers playing the leading roles in gravity and cosmology, and to have active discussions on the current problems and future directions. The registration will open around August 2021 at the GC2022 website. We look forward to having you in Kyoto. SOC: Masaki Ando (Tokyo), Emanuele Berti (Johns Hopkins), Rong-Gen Cai (ITP CAS), Vitor Cardoso (CENTRA), Antonio De Felice (YITP), Claudia de Rham (Imperial), Nathalie Deruelle (APC), Ruth Durrer (Geneva), Roberto Emparan (Barcelona), Ruth Gregory (King's College London), Renata Kallosh (Stanford), Eiichiro Komatsu (Max-Planck Inst.), Andrei Linde (Stanford), Shinji Mukohyama (YITP, Chair), Lisa Randall (Harvard), Misao Sasaki (IPMU), Masaru Shibata (AEI/YITP), Alexei Starobinsky (Landau Inst.), Masahiro Takada (IPMU), Takahiro Tanaka (Kyoto), Atsushi Taruya (YITP), Jean-Philippe Uzan (IAP), David Wands (Portsmouth) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.5. Yukawa International Seminar "Gravity -The Next Generation-", Kyoto, Japan --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=20765 Starting: 2022-02-14 to 2022-02-18 Location: Kyoto, Japan Additional Information: https://www2.yukawa.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~gc2022/YKIS/index.php Contact: gc2022[AT]yukawa.kyoto-u.ac.jp We previously announced the symposium "Gravity -The Next Generation-" to be held in June 2021 at Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics (YITP), Kyoto. However, given the covid-19 situation, we decided to postpone it to February 14 - 18, 2022. We aim for comprehensive but intensive discussion on the rapidly expanding frontiers of physics of gravity and cosmology. The symposium also serves as the Yukawa International Seminar for the fiscal year (YKIS 2022a). The registration will open around August 2021. Invited Speakers (*to be confirmed): Masaki Ando (Tokyo/KAGRA), Emanuele Berti (Johns Hopkins), Patrick Brady (UWM/LIGO), Rong-Gen Cai (ITP CAS), Vitor Cardoso (CENTRA), Paolo Creminelli (ICTP)*, Karsten Danzmann (AEI/LISA), Claudia de Rham (Imperial), Nathalie Deruelle (APC), Ruth Durrer (Geneva), Roberto Emparan (Barcelona), Renata Kallosh (Stanford), Eiichiro Komatsu (Max-Planck Inst.), Andrei Linde (Stanford), Enrico Pajer (Cambridge)*, Tsvi Piran (Hebrew), Lisa Randall (Harvard), Misao Sasaki (IPMU), Leonardo Senatore (Stanford), Masaru Shibata (AEI/YITP), Alexei Starobinsky (Landau Inst.), Masahiro Takada (IPMU), Jean-Philippe Uzan (IAP)*, Johannes van den Brand (Nikhef/Virgo), David Wands (Portsmouth) Organizers: Katsuki Aoki (YITP), Antonio De Felice (YITP), Francesco Di Filippo (YITP), Tomohiro Fujita (ICRR), Mohammad Ali Gorji (YITP), Kunihito Ioka (YITP), Sugumi Kanno (Kyushu), Takeshi Kobayashi (KMI/SISSA), Sachiko Kuroyanagi (IFT), Shinji Mukohyama (YITP, Chair), Atsushi Naruko (YITP), Takahiro Nishimichi (YITP), Kazufumi Takahashi (Kobe/YITP), Takahiro Tanaka (Kyoto), Atsushi Taruya (YITP) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.6. Current Challenges in Gravitational Physics, Trieste, Italy (online) --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2021/01/28/current-challenges-in-gravita... Starting: 2021-04-21 to 2021-04-28 Location: Trieste, Italy (online) Additional Information: https://grams-815673.wixsite.com/gravityworkshop Contact: jgonzale[AT]sissa.it This workshop aims to connect different communities and research areas in gravitational physics by covering observational and theoretical topics. More specifically, the focus will be on tests of gravity, gravitational waves, numerical simulations and data analysis, and theoretical models (including modified gravity). Each of the six days provides a series of invited talks by leading experts along with generous time for discussion. Due to the ongoing pandemic, this workshop will take place online. The program will run in the European afternoons to maximize participation across time zones. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.7. Tehran Meeting on Cosmology at the Crossroads, Tehran, Iran --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=20791 Starting: 2021-02-22 to 2021-02-25 Location: Tehran, Iran Additional Information: http://physics.sbu.ac.ir/conferences/tmcc2021/ Contact: tehran.meeting.2021[AT]gmail.com LambdaCDM is astonishing! It provides us with a simple and beautiful picture of the universe that (almost!) successfully explains observations at a vast span of cosmic scales and times! However, it is facing yet unexplained challenges, with different levels of significance, that call for modifications and extensions. At Tehran Meeting on Cosmology at the Crossroads 2021 (TMCC2021) we take advantage of the constraints imposed by the Covid19 pandemic to virtually host experts (including Nobel and Gruber laureates) from all over the globe to discuss these challenges and possible avenues out of it. TMCC2021 is the third in the series of Tehran Meetings on Cosmology. In addition to the invited talks, the meeting also hosts sessions of contributed talks dedicated to the ongoing research by young cosmologists. You can join us by either contributing to the talks or participating as the audience. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ============================================== 2. Jobs ============================================== 2.1. Postdoctoral position at UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=20679 Deadline: 2021-01-13 Location: Mexico City, Mexico Additional Information: https://www.nucleares.unam.mx/depto_gravitacion.php Contact: celia.escamilla[AT]nucleares.unam.mx The Department of Gravitation and Field Theory at the Institute for Nuclear Sciences of UNAM, has openings, twice a year (middle January and May each year), for postdoctoral fellows in its fields of study. The positions are for one year, renewable for a second one, depending upon funding and performance, and they carry a competitive monthly stipend, as well as basic health insurance for the postdoctoral fellow and her/his dependents. Applicants with interests in any of the following areas are encouraged to apply:: classical and quantum aspects of gravitation, numerical relativity, theoretical and precision cosmology, mathematical physics, quantum field theory, lattice QCD, biophysics, and complex systems. The permanent members are Miguel Alcubierre, Wolfgang Bietenholz, Yuri Bonder, Chryssomalis Chryssomalakos, Celia Escamilla-Rivera, Jemal Guven, Dario Nunez, Nestor Ortiz, Hernando Quevedo, Marcos Rosenbaum, Marcelo Salgado, Christopher Stephens, Daniel Sudarsky, Roberto Sussman and Alexander Turbiner - there is also a number of postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. We encouraged to the applicants to contact one of the above researcher depending their field interest. Applications (full CV, publication list and research statement) should be send via the email to celia.escamilla[AT]nucleares.unam.mx (with copy to fengari[AT]nucleares.unam.mx) by the closing date. Applicants should also arrange for up to three reference letters to be sent by email, to arrive by the same date. Succesful applicants will be expected to have a PhD in Theoretical Physics (no longer than 3 years before the starting date of the position) and be particularly knowledgeable of recent progress or activity in this area. Applicants will also be required to work independently, have strong analytical skills and be an effective team player. Informal enquiries should be addressed to Dr Celia Escamilla-Rivera (Head of the Department), email: celia.escamilla[AT]nucleares.unam.mx +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.2. PhD position in quantum gravity, Odense, Denmark ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=20684 Deadline: 2021-02-10 Location: Odense, Denmark Additional Information: https://www.sdu.dk/da/service/ledige_stillinger/1136644 Contact: eichhorn[AT]cp3.sdu.dk The research team led by Astrid Eichhorn at the Centre for Cosmology and Particle Physics Phenomenology (CP3-Origins) at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense invites applications for one PhD position. The position is expected to be filled in the area of quantum gravity, with a focus on asymptotically safe quantum gravity. We are looking for outstanding and highly-motivated candidates with a clear potential to excel in fundamental physics, who are looking to join a dynamic, diverse and curiosity-driven research group. CP3-Origins offers a stimulating research environment, with research topics ranging from quantum gravity, black-hole physics and gravitational waves, cosmology, dark matter to strongly-interacting field theories and formal aspects of quantum field theory. The appointment will be for a term of three years at a very competitive salary and is expected to start in the spring of 2021 (exact starting date is flexible). Funding for travel to conferences, workshops and PhD-schools is also available. Application deadline: 10 February 2021. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.3. Several PhD positions "Quantum Universe" cluster, Hamburg, Germany ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=20722 Deadline: 2021-02-14 Location: Hamburg, Germany Additional Information: https://www.qu.uni-hamburg.de/jobs/pool-call-phd.html Contact: rafael.porto[AT]desy.de As a University of Excellence, Universitaet Hamburg is one of the strongest research universities in Germany. As a flagship university in the greater Hamburg region, it nurtures innovative, cooperative contacts to partners within and outside academia. It also provides and promotes sustainable education, knowledge, and knowledge exchange locally, nationally, and internationally. The Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Center in Hamburg for Astro-, Mathematical and Particle Physics invites applications for several PhD positions in the cluster, including the topic "from quantum field theory to gravitational waves" (TH8). See link for more information. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.4. Postdoctoral Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Illinois at Chicago, USA ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2021/01/16/postdoctoral-fellow-in-philos... Deadline: 2021-03-05 Location: Chicago, USA Additional Information: https://jobs.uic.edu/job-board/job-details?jobID=141437 Contact: huggett[AT]uic.edu Call for Applications: postdoc position in Phylosophy of Cosmology and Quantum Gravity. The philosophy of physics group at the Department of Philosophy at UIC solicits applications for a one-year postdoctoral research position, starting August 2021. The position is contingent on confirmation of anticipated funding. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the Cosmology Beyond Spacetime project's research by pursuing their own research in the philosophy of cosmology and quantum gravity and by collaborating on existing research efforts within the UIC group led by Professor Nick Huggett. They will be expected to participate in weekly project meetings during term, help with the administration and organization of the group's activities, and contribute to the group's outreach efforts. The project is one half of a collaboration between UIC and the University of Geneva, where Professor Christian Wuethrich is the group leader. More information on the project and the research groups is available at www.beyondspacetime.net. Applicants with experience in either the philosophy or the foundations of cosmology and quantum gravity broadly construed will be preferred, but we will also consider applicants with backgrounds in other areas of philosophy of physics, foundational research in physics, or metaphysics, who are willing to devote their efforts to the project. All work toward the Ph.D. must be completed before the starting date and must be awarded no earlier than 2017. The position is anticipated to be for one year. The salary will be competitive. Research funds for travel to relevant conferences and to the group at the University of Geneva will be provided. Please complete the online application and include the names and email addresses of three references at https://jobs.uic.edu. Applications must contain a cover letter detailing the pertinent experience for the position, a CV, a one page research statement describing the work to be accomplished during the postdoc including publication plans, and one or two writing samples. For fullest consideration, please apply by 3/5/21. Review of the files will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For more information, please contact Professor Nick Huggett at huggett[AT]uic.edu. The University of Illinois at Chicago is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching in a multicultural environment. We strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and covered veterans. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=1411899 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.5. PhD and postdoctoral positions in "Observation and Astrophysics of Compact-binary Mergers", Hannover, Germany ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2021/01/19/phd-and-postdoctoral-position... Deadline: 2021-02-15 Location: Hannover, Germany Additional Information: https://www.aei.mpg.de/627275/phd-and-postdoctoral-positions-in-observation-... Contact: alex.nitz[AT]aei.mpg.de The Division of Observational Relativity and Cosmology at the Albert Einstein Institute in Hannover invites applications from outstanding graduate students and postdoctoral scientists interested in using open gravitational-wave data to further our understanding of astrophysics, gravity and the Universe. The division is led by Prof. Bruce Allen and senior scientist Dr. Alexander Nitz. The Albert Einstein Institute in Hannover plays an active role in the analysis and interpretation of gravitational-wave data, and provides a lively and friendly environment and world-class computing facilities. More information can be found at http://www.aei.mpg.de/obs-rel-cos. The ideal candidate should have an excellent academic track record and experience with computer programming. Prior experience in gravitational wave data analysis would be helpful but is not a requirement. Applications including a CV, publication list and a brief research statement should be submitted by email to jobs-gw-han[AT]aei.mpg.de by Feb 15th, 2021. Candidates should also arrange that three letters of reference be sent to jobs-gw-han[AT]aei.mpg.de by the referees. Applications will be considered as they are received and the start date is flexible. We value diversity and therefore welcome all applications - irrespective of gender, nationality, skin colour, origin, religion and ideology, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.6. Gravitational-wave positions at Ghent University, Belgium ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2021/01/20/gravitational-wave-positions-... Deadline: 2021-02-12 Location: Ghent, Belgium Additional Information: https://inspirehep.net/jobs/1841649 Contact: archisman.ghosh[AT]ugent.be The Ghent Gravity Group in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Ghent University is seeking applications for PhD and postdoctoral positions. The newly-formed group is led by Archisman Ghosh and Dirk Ryckbosch. Research interests of the group span analysis of Advanced LIGO/Virgo and KAGRA data, cosmology and strong-field gravity using gravitational-wave observations, future observatories including the Einstein Telescope, and instrument science for the ETpathfinder project. The group is embedded within the Experimental Particle Physics division of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. We benefit from the local neutrino observations (IceCube, SoLid), astronomy and theory groups. We form a network with neighbouring universities in Belgium (Antwerp, Leuven, Louvain, Brussel, Bruxelles, and Liege) and are also closely connected with institutes in the Netherlands (Nikhef, University of Amsterdam, Utrecht University, Leiden University, and Maastricht University). We are seeking the following profiles. 1. A PhD student to work on gravitational-wave data analysis supervised by Archisman Ghosh. The topic of research will include (but not necessarily be limited to) standard-siren cosmology using gravitational-wave observations. The position is available immediately, and could start at any convenient date, preferably no later than 01 September 2021. PhD positions in Belgium are for a duration of 4 years. 2. A postdoc to work on the ETpathfinder project. Depending on the expertise of the postdoc, this could be an independent position, or one co-supervised jointly between Stefan Hild (Maastricht University) and members in Ghent (Dirk Ryckbosch and Archisman Ghosh). There would be the option to spend up to 60% of the time in Maastricht. Emphasis of the work will be on aspects of the ultra-high vacuum systems and cryogenics aspects of the ETpathfinder project. The position is available immediately (the starting date is negotiable), and will be for a duration of 3 years. 3. Subject to funding, an additional postdoc to work on gravitational-wave data analysis to complement the current expertise of the group. The position will be for 3 years. For the PhD position, applications should include: (i) a statement of interest (up to two pages), (ii) a brief academic CV, (iii) a list of grades, (iv) title and abstract of masters thesis (if applicable), and additionally (v) two letters of reference (to be sent directly by the referees). For the postdoctoral positions, applications should include: (i) an application letter, (ii) an academic CV, (iii) a list of publications, (iv) a statement of past and proposed research, and additionally (v) three letters of reference (to be sent directly by the referees). The deadline for applications is 12 February 2021, but the positions are available until filled. Applications including letters of reference are to be sent to gravity[AT]ugent.be. The language of communication in the research groups is English, and there are no special language requirements for the advertised positions. Information on international life in Ghent is available at The Square.Gent. For more information about the positions, please contact Archisman Ghosh (archisman.ghosh[AT]ugent.be). +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.7. PhD positions at SISSA, Trieste, Italy ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2021/01/28/phd-positions-at-sissa/ Deadline: 2021-02-26 Location: Trieste, Italy Additional Information: https://www.sissa.it/app/phdsection/admission.php Contact: phd[AT]sissa.it The astroparticle group at SISSA is soliciting applications for PhD fellowships in a range of topics including gravitational wave physics and astrophysics. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply. More information on the Astroparticle Physics group can be found here: www.sissa.it/app The International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) is a leading research and training institution (PhD School) based on the beautiful sea coast of Trieste in Italy. It offers first rate facilities (also for High Performance Computing) and has close relations with the other scientific institutions in the area. In particular, together with the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), SISSA is a founding member and supports the Institute for Fundamental Physics of the Universe (IFPU), Trieste, a newly born institute aiming at hosting and promoting a vigorous and innovative multi-disciplinary research program focused on investigating the fundamental laws of Nature under a Cosmological and Astrophysical perspective. The selection will take place following an admission exam to be held online. Application will be accepted until February 26, 2020, and should be submitted through the external link provided. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.8. Postdoctoral position in gravitational-wave detection with pulsar timing arrays, Caltech, Pasadena, USA ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=20786 Deadline: 2021-02-21 Location: Pasadena (CA), United States Additional Information: http://nanograv.org Contact: Michele.Vallisneri[AT]jpl.nasa.gov The Caltech/JPL Low-Frequency Gravitational-Wave Group seeks a qualified individual for a postdoctoral appointment in support of the effort to detect and characterize GWs using radio timing observations of pulsars. The position will be funded through the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav), an NSF Physics Frontier Center (http://nanograv.org). The group, which currently includes Profs. Katerina Chatziioannou, Gregg Hallinan and Vikram Ravi, JPL scientists Curt Cutler, Joseph Lazio, and Michele Vallisneri, as well as Drs. Jean-Baptiste Bayle, Alvin Chua, and Arianna Renzini, conducts research on a broad range of topics in GW science across the spectrum, including the analysis of NANOGrav data, and preparations for the planned space mission LISA. The ideal candidate will have the skills to contribute to the development of NANOGrav's data-analysis framework (including its statistical formulation and the Enterprise software package); they will have interests that bridge the GW spectrum between the nanohertz probed by NANOGrav and the millihertz proved by LISA; and they will be committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the astronomical community. The postdoctoral researcher will be part of a diverse community of NANOGrav members in the United States and Canada and will benefit from collaboration with researchers at a range of institutions. The postdoctoral researcher will also play a role in the work of the International Pulsar Timing Array and will have ample opportunities for international travel and collaboration. The initial appointment is for one year with expected renewal for two additional years, and could start as early as September 2021. To apply, please send a CV, publication list, short statement of research, and have three letters of reference e-mailed to Michele Vallisneri (Michele.Vallisneri[AT]jpl.nasa.gov, mentioning "NANOGrav postdoc" in the subject) by February 21, 2021. Caltech is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. To read more about Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to https://www.eeoc.gov/employees-job-applicants. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.9. PhD position in Quantum Gravity at Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=20799 Deadline: 2021-03-24 Location: Nijmegen, The Netherlands Additional Information: https://www.ru.nl/english/working-at/vacature/details-vacature/?recid=113868... Contact: t.budd[AT]science.ru.nl We are looking for: a PhD candidate who is curious about the fundamental description of the gravitational force and the structure of space-time and excited about developing the mathematical and numerical methods necessary to build and analyse models of microscopic space-time geometry. From submillimetre to cosmological scales, the gravitational force is accurately described by the dynamical geometry of space-time, governed by Einstein's classical laws of general relativity. Inevitably these laws lose their validity when space-time is examined at extremely small length scales, where quantum effects come into play. Constructing a quantum theory of space-time geometry that is consistent and predictive in this regime is a central aim of research in quantum gravity. This is a challenging problem in many ways. Under the hypothesis that space-time geometry is fundamental and meaningful at arbitrarily small scales, such a theory must be able to handle superpositions of geometries that are wildly curved by quantum fluctuations. This requires a mathematical basis that is yet to be fully developed. During your PhD under the supervision of Dr T. Budd, you will actively develop this basis by combining insights from various research areas: lattice simulations of quantum gravity, the mathematics of random geometry, as well as renormalisation group methods in quantum field theory. The position is funded as part of the NWO VIDI grant "Quantum Geometry: space-time at the tiniest of scales". As is standard for PhD programmes in the Netherlands, this position will carry a light teaching load, amounting to about 10% of your work time. We ask: * A Master's degree in Physics or Mathematics, including courses on General Relativity and Quantum Field Theory as a minimum. * A strong mathematical background and/or good programming skills. * Good command of spoken and written English. We are: You will join the Gravity section of the High Energy Physics department at Radboud University. The Gravity section currently consists of six staff scientists and about twice as many PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers, with research topics ranging from black holes and gravitational waves to lattice quantum gravity, the functional renormalisation group and random geometry. We have close ties to gravitational research in both the Astrophysics department (including a large involvement in the Event Horizon Telescope) and Mathematics department (including mathematical relativity and noncommutative geometry), with whom we share the Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics (IMAPP). Our diversity and broad expertise in gravity combined with many regular activities provide a stimulating environment for young researchers. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ============================================== 3. News ============================================== 3.1. GRG Editor's Choice: Resolving the H_0 tension with diffusion ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2021/01/27/grg-editors-choice-resolving-... Additional Information: https://www.springer.com/gp/livingreviews/relativity/grg-editors-choice In each volume of the journal General Relativity and Gravitation (GRG), a few articles are marked as "Editor's Choice". The primary criterion is original, high-quality research that is of wide interest within the community. This recent publication deserves special attention: Perez, A., Sudarsky, D. and Wilson-Ewing, E., "Resolving the H_0 tension with diffusion", Gen Relativ Gravit 53, 7 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10714-020-02781-0 Please, browse all Editor's Choice articles at: https://www.springer.com/gp/livingreviews/relativity/grg-editors-choice Frank Schulz Publishing Editor GRG ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 3.2. New book: Hermann Weyl, Space-Time-Matter ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2021/01/29/new-book-hermann-weyl-space-t... Additional Information: http://www.minkowskiinstitute.org/mip/books/weyl.html The latest book by Minkowski Institute Press - a new publication of Hermann Weyl's book Space-Time-Matter, which was first published in German in 1919 and the English translation appeared in 1922. What makes it invaluable is that, in addition to his masterfully presented lectures on special and general relativity (starting with a helpful introduction to tensor analysis), he was the first (and essentially the only one so far) who tried to reconcile two seemingly unreconcilable facts - Minkowski's discovery (deduced from the failed experiments to detect absolute motion) of the spacetime structure of the world (that it is a static four-dimensional world containing en bloc the entire history of the perceived by us three-dimensional world) and the inter-subjective fact that we are aware of ourselves and the world only at one single moment of time - the present moment (the moment now) - which constantly changes. Weyl reached the conclusion that it is our consciousness (somehow "traveling" in the four-dimensional world along our worldlines) which creates our feeling that time flows. Unfortunately, Weyl's reconciliation of the above facts has not been rigorously examined so far; the apparent contradiction that the consciousness "travels" in the "frozen" four-dimensional world - spacetime - is not an excuse because Weyl had surely been aware of it and nevertheless "went public" with his proposed resolution. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 3.3. Living Reviews in Relativity: "Time-delay interferometry" ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2021/01/30/living-reviews-in-relativity-... Additional Information: https://www.springer.com/gp/livingreviews/relativity The open-access journal Living Reviews in Relativity has published an updated review article on 15 December 2020: Massimo Tinto and Sanjeev V. Dhurandhar, "Time-delay interferometry", Living Rev Relativ 24, 1 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1007/s41114-020-00029-6 This article is a revised version of https://doi.org/10.12942/lrr-2014-6 Major revision, updated and expanded (for details see Appendix B). Please, visit frequently our relativity channel (https://www.springer.com/gp/livingreviews/relativity) at http://livingreviews.org for other news. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++