################################################################# Table of Contents ################################################################# 1. Conferences 1.1 From Nuclei to White Dwarfs and Neutron Stars 1.2 RUSGRAV-14: International Conference on Gravitation, Cosmology and Astrophysics 1.3 Hot topics in Modern Cosmology - Spontaneous Workshop V 1.4 Grav11 (First Announcement) 1.5 27th Pacific Coast Gravity Meeting 1.6 The Chalonge School 15th Paris Cosmology Colloquium 2011 1.7 Chalonge School CIAS Workshop 2011 "Warm Dark Matter in Galaxies: Theoretical and Observational Progresses" 1.8 Microphysics in Computational Relativistic Astrophysics at PI 2. Jobs 2.1 Postdoctoral Position in Gravitational-Wave Physics at Tübingen 2.2 Leader of Max Planck Research Group in conjunction with Professorship for Geometric Analysis (W2) 2.3 Postdoctoral positions at SISSA Astrophysics 2.4 Postdoc and PhD Position in Numerical Relativity at Jena 2.5 Postdoctoral positions at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 2.6 International Relativistic Astrophysics PhD: 2011 Announcement 3. News 3.1 Problem Book in Relativity and Gravitation available online ================================================================= 1. Conferences ================================================================= 1.1 From Nuclei to White Dwarfs and Neutron Stars ------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@AEI: http://hyperspace.aei.mpg.de/2010/12/31/from-nuclei-to-white-dwarfs-and-neut... Starting Sun, Apr 03, 2011 to Sat, Apr 09, 2011 Location: Les Houches, France Additional Information: http://www.icranet.org The meeting is directed by David Arnett and Remo Ruffini within the ERASMUS MUNDUS and ICRANet activities in the International Relativistic Astrophysics Ph. D. Program. Lectures will be presented by leading Physicists and Astrophysicists working in the interface of Nuclear Physics, White Dwarfs, Neutron Star Physics and Black Holes Physics. Special attention is being devoted to the new scenarios presented by the observations of Gamma Ray Bursts. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.2 RUSGRAV-14: International Conference on Gravitation, Cosmology and Astrophysics ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@AEI: http://hyperspace.aei.mpg.de/2010/12/30/14th-russian-gravitational-conferenc... Starting Mon, Jun 27, 2011 to Sat, Jul 02, 2011 Location: Ulyanovsk, Russia Additional Information: http://rusgrav14.ulspu.ru The 14th Russian Gravitational Conference - International Conference on Gravitation, Cosmology and Astrophysics – RUSGRAV-14 is to be held in Ulyanovsk at Ulyanovsk State Pedagogical University, on June 27 – July 2, 2011. The program of the conference and the school-seminar will include plenary and sectional reports, poster session for young scientists, graduate students and undergraduates. Featured also are informal discussions on such issues as: the latest developments in the theory of gravitation, quantum gravity and cosmology, theories with extra dimensions, theoretical and observational cosmology and astrophysics, gravitational experiments, fundamental constants and related topics. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.3 Hot topics in Modern Cosmology - Spontaneous Workshop V ----------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@AEI: http://hyperspace.aei.mpg.de/2010/12/20/hot-topics-in-modern-cosmology-spont... Starting Mon, May 09, 2011 to Sat, May 14, 2011 Location: Cargèse, France Additional Information: http://www.cpt.univ-mrs.fr/~cosmo/SW_2011/SW5.html Spontaneous Workshop (SW) brings together specialists on recent insights in Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology. The aim is to stimulate debates on common topics in views of providing us with innovating ideas. The workshop will take place in Cargèse (France), on 9 - 14 May 2011. The workshop’s organization is based on an optimal number of concise presentations and enough space for discussions on emergent problems in order to favour interactions among participants. SW5 topics includes : * Cosmological parameters – Anomalies in CMB * Baryon and Lepton number violation, CP violation * LHC and Dark Matter - Astroparticle Physics * Neutrino Cosmology * Baryogenesis and Leptogenesis - Cosmic antimatter * Inflation - Dark Energy – Modified Gravity * Cosmological Large Scale Structures, Magnetic Fields * Gravitational waves of Cosmological and Astrophysical origin +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.4 Grav11 (First Announcement) ------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@AEI: http://hyperspace.aei.mpg.de/2010/12/20/grav11-first-announcement/ Starting Mon, Apr 11, 2011 to Fri, Apr 15, 2011 Location: La Cumbre, Córdoba, Argentina Additional Information: http://www.famaf.unc.edu.ar/grupos/grg/grav11 We are pleased to announce that the conference Grav11 will be held in La Cumbre, Córdoba (Argentina), from April 11th through April 15th, 2011. The venue of the conference is the Hostal Cruz Chica: http://www.hostalcruzchica.com.ar/ This is the fourth in a new series ("Grav") of conferences organized by the General Relativity and Gravitation Group at FaMAF (Universidad Nacional de Córdoba) since the year 2006. We expect to have a Grav meeting every two years from now on. The conference is intended to bring together specialists working on gravitation and closely related topics, including classical and quantum gravity, gravity in arbitrary dimensions, astrophysics and astro-particle physics. Graduate students and advanced undergraduate students are encouraged to apply, some funds will be available to cover living expenses for students, as well as postdocs and young researchers. The working languages of the conference will be English (mostly), and Spanish. A preliminary (as of December 2010) list of confirmed speakers includes: Andrés Aceña, AEI, Germany. Florian Beyer, University of Otago, New Zealand. Mario Díaz, The Unversity of Texas at Brownsville, USA. Helmut Friedrichs, AEI, Germany. Heinz O. Kreiss, KTH, Sweden. Luis Lehner, Perimeter Institute, Canada. Jorge Pullin, LSU, USA. Martin Reiris, AEI, Germany. Robert Wald, Universty of Chicago, USA. For updates on the Grav11 meeting please check the web page: http://www.famaf.unc.edu.ar/grupos/grg/grav11 Applications should be filed through the webform in the above page before March 4th, 2011. The deadline for abstract submissions is March 18th, 2011. For further information on the General Relativity and Gravitation group at FaMAF and the previous Grav meetings see http://www.famaf.unc.edu.ar/grupos/grg/grge.html Information on how to handle hotel reservations will be provided in a second circular. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.5 27th Pacific Coast Gravity Meeting -------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@AEI: http://hyperspace.aei.mpg.de/2010/12/08/27th-pacific-coast-gravity-meeting/ Starting Fri, Mar 18, 2011 to Sat, Mar 19, 2011 Location: Pasadena, CA, USA Additional Information: http://www.tapir.caltech.edu/~pcgm27/ The 27th Pacific Coast Gravity Meeting will be held at the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, on March 18 and 19, 2011. In keeping with its tradition, this will be an open, relaxed, and informal conference. We are inviting researchers and students interested in all areas of gravitational physics: classical and quantum gravity, general relativistic astrophysics and cosmology, quantum cosmology, gravitational waves, and experimental gravity. Because this is a regional meeting, many attendees will be from the western United States, but all are welcome. Talks Following the usual tradition all participants, and especially postdocs and graduate students, are encouraged to contribute short, introductory talks on their current research, with the aim of fostering communication and understanding among gravitational physicists with different backgrounds. Speakers will be given equal time (between 10 and 15 minutes, including a question period). Graduate students and postdocs will be given first priority if there are more requests to speak than available time slots. A prize (sponsored by the APS Topical Group on Gravity) will be awarded for the best talk given by a student at the meeting. Program The 27th PCGM will begin at 9am, on March 18, in Hameetman Auditorium, Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Caltech (see the Practical Information page of the meeting web site for directions). The Scientific Program will be posted on the meeting website shortly before the meeting, and will be distributed to registered participants on March 13, 2011. All participants are asked to register on the meeting web site or by e-mail by 11 March, 2011. More information will be posted on the meeting web site as it becomes available: http://www.tapir.caltech.edu/~pcgm27/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.6 The Chalonge School 15th Paris Cosmology Colloquium 2011 ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@AEI: http://hyperspace.aei.mpg.de/2010/12/07/the-chalonge-school-15th-paris-cosmo... Starting Wed, Jul 20, 2011 to Fri, Jul 22, 2011 Location: Paris, France Additional Information: http://www.chalonge.obspm.fr/colloque2011.html Ecole Internationale Daniel Chalonge The Chalonge School 15th Paris Cosmology Colloquium 2011 " From Cold Dark Matter to Warm Dark Matter in the Standard Model of the Universe: Theory and Observations " The International School Daniel Chalonge: 20 Years of Activity The Conference is within the astrofundamental physics spirit of the Chalonge School, focalized on recent observational and theoretical progress on the CMB, dark matter, dark energy, dark ages, and the theory of the early universe with predictive power in the context of the Standard Model of the Universe. Recently, LambdaWDM (Warm Dark Matter) emerged impressively over LambdaCDM (Cold Dark Matter) whose small -galactic- scale (and even larger scale) problems are ever-increasing. LambdaWDM solves naturally the problems of LambdaCDM and agree with the observations at small as well as large and cosmological scales. In summary, the aim of the meeting is to put together the recent cosmological and astrophysical data and hard theory predictive approach connected to them in the framework of the Standard Model of the Universe. TOPICS: Observational and theoretical progress on the nature of dark matter: keV scale dark matter particles. Dark energy: cosmological constant: the quantum energy of the cosmological vacuum. Large and small scale structure formation in agreement with observations at large scales and small (galactic) scales. The ever increasing problems of LambdaCDM. The emergence of Warm (keV scale) Dark Matter from theory and observations. The analysis of the CMB+LSS+SN data with the effective (Ginsburg-Landau) effective theory of inflation: New Inflation (double well inflaton potential) strongly favored by the CMB + LSS + SN data: The presence of the lower bound for the primordial gravitons (non vanishing tensor to scalar ratio r) with the present CMB + LSS + SN data. CMB polarization and forecasts for Planck. Neutrinos in cosmology. The new serious dark matter candidate: Sterile neutrinos at the keV scale. All Lectures are followed by a discussion. All participants are invited to take part in the discussions. The Meeting is open to all scientists interested in the subject but Registration is mandatory. The format of the Meeting is intended to allow easy and fruitful mutual contact and communication. Sessions last for three full days in the beautiful parisian campus of Observatoire de Paris (built on orders from Colbert and to plans by Claude Perrault from 1667 to 1672). All sessions take place at the Salle Cassini (Cassini Hall) in the historic Perrault building ("Bâtiment Perrault") of Observatoire de Paris HQ. All Coffee-Tea breaks take place at the "Salle du Conseil" under the portraits of Laplace, Le Verrier, Lalande, Arago, Delambre and Louis XIV. The Registration desk and the Secretariat of the Colloquium take place at the "Grande Galerie" (Great Gallery) just aside facing Salle du Conseil EXHIBITION: An exhibition at the "Grand Galerie" (Great Gallery) and "Salle Cassini" (Cassini Hall) will retrace the 20 years of activity of the Chalonge School and "The Golden Days" in "Astrofundamental Physics": The Construction of the Standard Model Of the Universe, as well as the Exhibition "The World High Altitude Observatories Network: World Cultural and Scientific Heritage". The books and proceedings of the School since its creation, as well as historic Daniel Chalonge material, Prizes and Chalonge instruments will be on exhibition at the Great Gallery. Informations about this Colloquium, participation information and background information are displayed at the Chalonge School web site: http://www.chalonge.obspm.fr/colloque2011.html Informations on the previous Paris Cosmology Colloquia and of the school events are available at http://chalonge.obspm.fr (lecturers, lists of participants, lecture pdf files and photos during the Colloquia). Early Registration is strongly encouraged With compliments and kind regards, Chalonge.Ecole[AT]obspm.fr http://chalonge.obspm.fr +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.7 Chalonge School CIAS Workshop 2011 "Warm Dark Matter in Galaxies: Theoretical and Observational Progresses" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@AEI: http://hyperspace.aei.mpg.de/2010/12/06/chalonge-school-cias-workshop-2011-w... Starting Wed, Jun 08, 2011 to Fri, Jun 10, 2011 Location: Meudon, France Additional Information: http://www.chalonge.obspm.fr/Cias_Meudon2011.html Ecole Internationale Daniel Chalonge A Turning Point in the Research of Dark Matter: Warm Dark Matter. Theory and Observations Recently, LambdaWDM (Warm Dark Matter) emerged impressively over LambdaCDM (Cold Dark Matter) whose small galactic- scale (and even larger scale) problems are ever-increasing. LambdaWDM solves naturally the problems of LambdaCDM and agrees with the observations at small as well as large and cosmological scales. The Workshop addresses the last progresses made in Warm Dark Matter and the Universal and Non Universal properties of Galaxies. In the tradition of the Chalonge School, an effort of clarification and synthesis will be made by combining in a conceptual framework, theory, analytical, observational and numerical simulation results that reproduce observations.The subject will be approached in a threefold way: (I) Conceptual context. (II) Astronomical observations linked to the galaxy structural properties and to structure formation at different (large and small (galactic) scales). (III) Numerical simulations which reproduce observations at large and small (galactic) scales . TOPICS: Recent progress in solving the Boltzmann-Vlasov equation to obtain the observed properties of galaxies (and clusters of galaxies). N-body numerical simulations with Warm Dark Matter.The surface density . The phase-space density. Particle model independent analysis of astrophysical dark matter. The impact of the mass of the dark matter particle on the small scale structure formation. The radial profiles and the Dark Matter distribution. Cores versus Cusps. The ever increasing problems of LambdaCDM. The keV scale Dark Matter (Warm Dark Matter): Observational and theoretical progresses. Large and small scale structure formation in agreement with observations at large and small (galactic) scales. The new serious dark matter candidate: Sterile neutrinos at the keV scale. Sessions last for three full days in the beautiful Meudon campus of Observatoire de Paris, where CIAS "Centre International d´Ateliers Scientifiques" is located. All sessions take place in the historic Château building, (built in 1706 by great architect Jules-Hardouin Mansart in orders by King Louis XIV for his son the Grand Dauphin). The Meeting is open to all scientists interested in the subject. The format of the Meeting is intended to allow easy and fruitful mutual contact and communication. Informations about the Workshop, participation information and background information are displayed at the http://www.chalonge.obspm.fr/Cias_Meudon2011.html Early Registration is strongly encouraged With compliments and kind regards, Chalonge.Ecole[at]obspm.fr http://chalonge.obspm.fr/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.8 Microphysics in Computational Relativistic Astrophysics at PI ----------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@AEI: http://hyperspace.aei.mpg.de/2010/12/02/microphysics-in-computational-relati... Starting Mon, Jun 20, 2011 to Sat, Jun 25, 2011 Location: Waterloo, ON, Canada This is the first circular, please note further info (webpage, deadlines, SOC, etc) will be sent in the near future. The workshop will be held at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Waterloo ON, Canada on June 20 - 25 2011, and will bring together leading and younger researchers in the field of numerical modeling and microscopic physics of matter and radiation at high densities where effects of general relativity play a central role. The topics covered will include improved microscopic physics inputs (neutrino-matter interactions, equations of state, thermonuclear reaction rates) and computational methods (GRMHD, radiation transport, reaction networks) with an emphasis on approaches that allow for efficient implementation of the improvements in multi-D simulations of relativistic astrophysical systems. ================================================================= 2. Jobs ================================================================= 2.1 Postdoctoral Position in Gravitational-Wave Physics at Tübingen ------------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@AEI: http://hyperspace.aei.mpg.de/2010/12/24/postdoctoral-position-in-gravitation... Institution: Tübingen, Germany Deadline: Mon, Jan 31, 2011 Additional Information: http://www.tat.physik.uni-tuebingen.de/~kokkotas/Welcome_files/TAT_SFB_adv.p... The Theoretical Astrophysics section (TAT) of the Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Tübingen (IAAT) has an opening for one postdoctoral research position starting from 1st of October 2011. The position will be funded via the SFB/TR7 network on “Gravitational Wave Astronomy” (http://wwwsfb.tpi.uni-jena.de/). The research activities of TAT are related to the study of sources of gravitational waves with emphasis on the dynamics of neutron stars.The successful applicant will carry out original research in projects regarding the study of the dynamics of neutron stars and/or magnetars in relation to the emission of gravitational waves. The position is limited to two years with a possible extension for one more year and the salary will be paid according to the German public service scale. Optionally, shorter duration contracts might also be considered. Applications, including a curriculum vita, a list of publications, and a statement of research interests and experience, and the names (address, email) of three potential referees should be sent to: Prof. Kostas Kokkotas Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10 D-72076 Tübingen / Germany http://www.tat.physik.uni-tuebingen.de/~kokkotas E-mail: kostas.kokkotas[at]uni-tuebingen.de Applications by e-mail are welcome. All applications will receive full consideration until the position is filed. The University of Tübingen seeks to increase the fraction of female scientists in research and teaching and particularly encourages applications from women. Disabled candidates are given preference if equally qualified. For inquiries contact Prof. Kostas Kokkotas. Further information on the Theoretical Astrophysics Group may be found at http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/?id=3129 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.2 Leader of Max Planck Research Group in conjunction with Professorship for Geometric Analysis (W2) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@AEI: http://hyperspace.aei.mpg.de/2010/12/21/leader-of-max-planck-research-group-... Institution: Potsdam, Germany Deadline: Thu, Jan 13, 2011 Additional Information: http://www.uni-potsdam.de/verwaltung/dezernat3/stellen/W2%20Analytische%20Ge... The Institute for Mathematics of the Faculty of Science at the Potsdam University in a joint appointment with Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute) invites applications for a Leader of Max Planck Research Group in conjunction with Professorship for Geometric Analysis (W2). The position is limited for 5 years. The University of Potsdam and the Albert Einstein Institute (AEI) are looking for applicants with an excellent research record to lead an independent Max Planck Research Group in the area of Geometric Analysis, in the context of their agreement on cooperation in the areas of geometric analysis and partial differential equations. The preferred research area lies in nonlinear partial differential equations related to geometry and mathematical physics. The successful applicant is expected to participate in the supervision of PhD students and will have teaching responsibilities at the Institute for Mathematics at Potsdam University of 2 hours/semester-week. The research group will include resources for PhD scholarships and postdoctoral positions as well as research related expenses. During the term of the employment contract with the MPG the successful applicant will (according to § 38 (9) BbgHG) also be Professor at the university of Potsdam. Prerequisites for the application are a doctoral degree and a record of research equivalent to the German “Habilitation”. Scientific qualifications achieved in the private sector, outside Germany, or as Junior professor will also be considered (§ 39 BbgHG). Appointment will be made according to the laws of Brandenburg (Brandenburgisches Hochschulgesetz - BbgHG §§ 38). The University of Potsdam and the Max Planck Society are committed to support the appointment of severely handicapped people, applications are explicitly encouraged. The University of Potsdam and the Max Planck Society wish to increase the employment of woman in those areas where they are underrepresented. Women are therefore explicitly encouraged to apply. Please send your application until 13.01.2011 to Potsdam University, Office of the President, Am Neuen Palais 10, D–14469 Potsdam, Germany. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.3 Postdoctoral positions at SISSA Astrophysics ------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@AEI: http://hyperspace.aei.mpg.de/2010/12/17/postdoctoral-positions-at-sissa-astr... Institution: Trieste, Italy Deadline: Mon, Jan 31, 2011 Additional Information: http://www.sissa.it/ap The Astrophysics Sector (http://www.sissa.it/ap) of the International School for Advanced Studies of Trieste (Italy) expects to have an opening for up to three research associate (postdoc) positions starting in Fall 2011. The positions are for two years (formally 1+1 but with renewal based only on reasonable scientific performance) and can be possibly extended for a further third year. The SISSA Astrophysics Sector consists of a faculty of nine permanent members and two contract researchers. There are currently eleven postdocs and eighteen graduate students (http://www.sissa.it/ap/people.html). The research areas covered by our group include: Analysis and interpretation of cosmic microwave background and sub-mm surveys (Planck and Herschel), large scale structure and cluster physics, galaxies, dark matter, galactic and extragalactic black holes, high energy astrophysics, relativistic astrophysics, early universe physics and gravitation theory. We welcome applications from all candidates whose research interests complement or enhance those of our group. SISSA is an international and multidisciplinary PhD school, unique in Italy, pursuing research in the fields of Physics, Mathematics and Biophysical Sciences (http://www.sissa.it). SISSA has recently moved to a new building a few kilometres just outside Trieste on the hillside overlooking the city and Gulf of Trieste, and located close by the main scientific institutions of the area (ICTP, Trieste University and the Trieste Observatory). Trieste is situated in the north east of Italy, 130 km to the east of Venice and close to Slovenia, Austria and Croatia. The selected candidates are expected to take part in the scientific activity of the Sector and to carry out their own independent research. There are no compulsory teaching duties. The salary covers the cost of living in Trieste, which is less expensive than other big Italian cities like Milan and Rome, and we offer funding for travel and inviting collaborators. SISSA also offers good local computer facilities and access to regional supercomputing resources. All of our scientific activity is carried out in English (as is the administrative support) and we provide local assistance for all members: a housing office (http://www.sissa.it/main/?p=A7_B4), the Welcome Office (http://www.welcomeoffice.trieste.it), Italian classes, and a nursery for children of SISSA members (http://www.sissa.it/ap/joinourgroup.html). Applicants should register with https://academicjobsonline.org/ and then submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a research statement giving a brief description of past research and future plans, and provide the names and email addresses of two referees who we will automatically contact. The application form is found at http://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/631 For further information or problems with the submitting your application, you can contact Dr. Lorena Bencina via email: bencina[at]sissa.it Completed applications should be received no later than January 31, 2011. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.4 Postdoc and PhD Position in Numerical Relativity at Jena ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@AEI: http://hyperspace.aei.mpg.de/2010/12/10/postdoc-and-phd-position-in-numerica... Institution: Jena, Germany Deadline: Wed, Jan 05, 2011 Additional Information: http://wwwsfb.tpi.uni-jena.de The numerical relativity group at the University of Jena anticipates the availability of a postdoc position starting September 2011, and a PhD position in April 2011. The gravity group at Jena includes Marcus Ansorg, Bernd Bruegmann, Reinhard Meinel, and Gerhard Schaefer, and also involves applied mathematician Gerhard Zumbusch. There is the opportunity to participate in a wide range of research activities offered by the SFB/Transregio grant on "Gravitational Wave Astronomy", see http://wwwsfb.tpi.uni-jena.de. Applicants with a background in numerical relativity, but also in the area of gravitational wave science or associated computational methods are especially encouraged to apply. For the postdoc position, please submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae with a list of publications, a brief description of research interests, and arrange for three letters of recommendation. For the PhD position, please submit the same except that instead of the letters only a list of potential references is requested. Submission of PDF files is preferred. Applications should be received no later than January 5, 2011, but applications will be considered until the positions are filled. In a situation where two candidates have otherwise equal qualifications, preference will be given to women, minorities, and handicapped applicants. Please send applications to: Renate Wagner, Email: r.wagner X tpi.uni-jena.de Institute of Theoretical Physics, University of Jena Max Wien Platz 1 D-07743 Jena Germany http://www.tpi.uni-jena.de +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.5 Postdoctoral positions at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@AEI: http://hyperspace.aei.mpg.de/2010/12/07/postdoctoral-positions-at-university... Institution: Milwaukee, WI, USA Deadline: Sat, Jan 15, 2011 Additional Information: http://gravity.phys.uwm.edu The Center for Gravitation and Cosmology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) invites applications for a number of postdoctoral research positions. The initial appointments are for one year, with renewal for a second (and, in some cases, a third) year contingent on continued funding and satisfactory performance. The Center for Gravitation and Cosmology at UWM is one of the nation's largest and most active research groups in gravity, cosmology, astronomy, and astrophysics with nine faculty members, Luis Anchordoqui, Patrick Brady, Jolien Creighton, Dawn Erb, John Friedman, David Kaplan, Leonard Parker, Xavier Siemens, and Alan Wiseman, senior scientist Scott Koranda, visiting professor Warren Anderson, and several postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. The group also maintains a close relationship with the Albert Einstein Institutes in Hannover and Golm through Bruce Allen and Maria Alessandra Papa who hold Adjunct appointments at UWM and visit regularly. The Center has a strong gravitational-wave astronomy group working on LIGO related research, including searches for binary neutron star and black hole inspirals, continuous waves from isolated neutron stars, development and support of Einstein@Home, bursts, and stochastic background. The group is active in several grid computing collaborations including the Open Science Grid (OSG). Other research activities in the Center include cosmic ray physics with Pierre-Auger, evolution and characterization of high redshift galaxies, neutron-star astrophysics, and radio astronomy. The Center also has a nascent computational astrophysics effort. More information about the people and the research can be found at http://gravity.phys.uwm.edu . The group is recruiting postdocs in gravitational-wave astronomy and related areas. Applicants with backgrounds in astronomy, gravitational-wave physics, theoretical relativity, numerical relativity, cosmology, or high energy physics (theory and experiment) are welcome to apply. Applicants whose work overlaps any of the research interests of the group should send a C.V., publication list, and a brief statement of their research interests by email to cgcpd[at]gravity.phys.uwm.edu. Applicants should also arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent via e-mail to this address. Screening of applications will begin January 15, 2011 and will continue until all positions are filled. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.6 International Relativistic Astrophysics PhD: 2011 Announcement ------------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@AEI: http://hyperspace.aei.mpg.de/2010/12/02/international-relativistic-astrophys... Institution: several universities in ICRANET Deadline: Mon, Feb 28, 2011 Additional Information: http://www.irap-phd.org 9 Erasmus Mundus funded positions available (3 for European students, 5 for non-European students, 1 for “Western Balkans and Turkey Window" candidates) Deadlines: 28 February 2011- Erasmus Mundus program full economical support is provided 30 September 2011- nine additional fellowships Additional Information: http://www.irap-phd.org – http://www.icranet.org – http://www.icra.it Following the successful scientific space missions by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Chile, as well as the high energy particle activities at CERN in Genève, we have initiated a Ph.D. programme dedicated to create a pool of scientists in the field of relativistic astrophysics. After taking full advantage of the observational and experimental facilities mentioned above, the students of our programme are expected to lead the theoretical developments of one of the most active fields of research: relativistic astrophysics. This program provides expertise in the most advanced topics of mathematical and theoretical physics, and in relativistic field theories, in the context of astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology. It provides the ability to model the observational data received from the above laboratories. This activity is necessarily international as no single university can have a scientific expertise in such a broad range of fiel ds. We announce two calls: one with a deadline on 28 February 2011, sponsored by Erasmus Mundus, and the other with a deadline on 30 September 2011. The Erasmus Mundus program has a very competitive salary as well as comprehensive benefits. The Institutions participating in the IRAP PhD are: the international organization ICRANet as coordinating institution and the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis as the host Institution; the Albert Einstein Institute, Potsdam; the Brazilian Center for Physics Research (CBPF) and ICRA Brasil; the Free University of Berlin; Indian Centre for Space Physics, Kolkata; Observatoire de la Cote D’Azur, Nice; Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, China; University of Ferrara, Italy; University of Rome, la Sapienza, Italy; University of Savoie, Annecy, France; University of Stockolm, Sweden, Tartu Observatory , Estonia. The Final Ph.D. degree will be jointly delivered by the Academic Institutions participating in the program. We encourage applications from the most qualified and motivated candidates worldwide, independent of nationality, gender or background. Special attention will be given to applicants originating from or planning to move to countries where ICRANet activities are in action or being planned. The Courses: Each student will have to follow 180 hours of courses during the three years of the Ph.D. program. There is also a possibility to follow courses from other Physics, Mathematics, Astronomy and Astrophysics Ph.D. programs in each participating institution, after approval by the Faculty. Courses can be chosen from the following list: VERY HIGH ENERGY PHENOMENA IN ASTROPHYSICS Felix AHARONIAN COSMOLOGICAL SINGULARITY Vladimir BELINSKI RELATIVISTIC EFFECTS IN ASTROPHYSICS Carlo Luciano BIANCO OBSERVERS AND OBSERVABLES IN BLACK HOLES SPACETIME Donato BINI ACCRETIONS ON BLACK HOLES Sandip Kumar CHAKRABARTI PARTICLE PHYSICS APPLIED TO ASTROPHYSICS Pascal CHARDONNET GENERAL RELATIVITY Thibault DAMOUR SUPERNOVAE AND GRBS Massimo DELLA VALLE LARGE SCALE STRUCTURE Jaan EINASTO TOPICS IN COSMOLOGY AND PARTICLE ASTROPHYSICS Li Zhi FANG X/GAMMA-RAY INSTRUMENTATION Filippo FRONTERA HIGH ENERGY ASTROPHYSICS: X-RAYS CLUSTERS Riccardo GIACCONI OBSERVATIONS OF GAMMA-RAY BURSTS Cristiano GUIDORZI FORMATION OF GALAXIES Yipeng JING ON THE KERR SOLUTION Roy KERR RELATIVISTIC FIELD THEORIES Hagen KLEINERT HOLOGRAPHY, ENTROPIC GRAVITY AND COSMOLOGY Li MIAO BOUNCING COSMOLOGY Mario NOVELLO BKL COSMOLOGY AND HIDDEN SYMMETRIES Hermann NICOLAI THE HIGH-ENERGY GAMMA-RAY UNIVERSE Marco TAVANI SPECTRAL TIMING FROM BLACK HOLE SOURCES Lev TITARCHUK SINGULARITIES AND GENERAL RELATIVITY - Kjell ROSQUIST BLACK HOLES AND FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS Remo RUFFINI RELATIVISTIC KINETIC THEORY Gregory VERESHCHAGIN QED AND ELECTRON-POSITRON PLASMA She-Sheng XUE The Host Institution for the call of 2011-2012 is the Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis; Grand Château 28 Avenue Valrose 21 - B.P. 2135 - 06103 NICE CEDEX 2 Applications and Fellowships: In 2011-2012, nine positions will be available. In the call of February 28, 2011, within the ERASMUS MUNDUS program, full economical support is provided. See http://www.irap-phd.org. In the call of September 30, 2011 nine additional fellowships will be available: six with full financial support. See http://www.icra.it and http://www.icranet.org. For further Information please contact: Dr. Carlo Luciano Bianco tel. + 39 06 4991 4 397, secretariat-irapphd[at]icra.it; Dr. Pina Barbaro Université de Nice- Parc Valrose 06108 Nice Cedex, Pina.Barbaro[at]unice.fr The Faculty Giovanni Amelino-Camelia - SAPIENZA Università di Roma Vladimir Belinski - SAPIENZA Università di Roma and ICRANet Carlo Luciano Bianco - SAPIENZA Università di Roma and ICRANet Donato Bini - CNR – Istit. per Applicaz. del Calcolo “M. Picone” Sandip Kumar Chakrabarti - Indian Centre For Space Physics, India Pascal Chardonnet (Erasmus Mundus Coordinator) - Université de Savoie Christian Cherubini - Università “Campus Biomedico” di Roma Pierre Coullet - Université de Nice - Sophie Antipolis Thibault Damour - IHES, Bures-sur-Yvette Jaan Einasto - Tartu Observatory Simonetta Filippi - Univ.“Campus Biomedico” di Roma and ICRANet Sergio Frasca - SAPIENZA Università di Roma Filippo Frontera - Università di Ferrara Yipeng Jing - Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, China Hagen Kleinert - Freie Universitat Berlin Gian Luca Lippi - Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis Francois Mignard - Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur Hermann Nicolai - Max Planck Inst. for Gravitational Physics, Potsdam Mario Novello - Brazilian Centre For Physics Research, Brazil José Pacheco - Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur Kjell Rosquist - Stockolm University Remo Ruffini (Director) - SAPIENZA Università di Roma and ICRANet Farrokh Vakili - Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur Gregory Vereshchagin - SAPIENZA Università di Roma and ICRANet Xue She Sheng - SAPIENZA Università di Roma and ICRANet ================================================================= 3. News ================================================================= 3.1 Problem Book in Relativity and Gravitation available online --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@AEI: http://hyperspace.aei.mpg.de/2010/12/21/problem-book-in-relativity-and-gravi... Additional Information: http://www.nrbook.com/relativity/ The Problem Book in Relativity and Gravitation, by Alan P. Lightman, William H. Press, Richard H. Price, and Saul A. Teukolsky, is now available free online at http://www.nrbook.com/relativity/ The publisher, Princeton University Press, has generously given permission for this. The book remains in print and available for purchase. Saul Teukolsky