########################################### Table of Contents ########################################### 1. Conferences 1.1. Experimental Tests and Signatures of Modified and Quantum Gravity, Bad Honnef, Germany 1.2. Quantum spacetime and the Renormalization Group, Online workshop 2. Jobs 2.1. Postdoctoral Positions in the Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic 2.2. Postdoctoral Fellowships in Turkey, Istanbul, Turkey 2.3. Postdoc opportunities in General Relativity, Dublin, Ireland 2.4. Postdoctoral researcher in gravitational physics at the University of Mississippi, USA 2.5. Postdoctoral position in Relativistic Theoretical Astrophysics, Frankfurt, Germany 3. News 3.1. Piotr T. Chrusciel, Geometry of black holes 3.2. "Superradiance (2020 Edition)" by R. Brito, V. Cardoso and P. Pani 3.3. News from the Chalonge De Vega School 3.4. Living Reviews in Relativity: "AdS black holes, holography and localization" 3.5. Scientific program of the 4th Zeldovich meeting ============================================== 1. Conferences ============================================== 1.1. Experimental Tests and Signatures of Modified and Quantum Gravity, Bad Honnef, Germany --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2020/08/17/experimental-tests-and-signat... Starting: 2021-02-01 to 2021-02-05 Location: Bad Honnef, Germany Additional Information: https://www.we-heraeus-stiftung.de/index.php?id=1536 Contact: christian.pfeifer[AT]ut.ee Two major unsolved questions in fundamental physics are related to the gravity: What is the nature of Dark Matter and Dark Energy, and, what is the theory of quantum gravity? From the theoretical point of view these questions stimulated various fundamental approaches to a theory of quantum gravity, such as string theory, loop quantum gravity, canonical quantum gravity, noncommutative geometry, asymptotic safety and others as well as phenomenological models such as doubly or deformed special relativity and the relative locality framework. Moreover, numerous classical modifications of General Relativity have been suggested such as scalar-tensor theories, f(R)-theories, bi-metric gravity, tensor-vector-scalar gravity or metric affine gravity, Poincare gauge theory, telleparallel gravity, Finsler gravity and many more. The viability of these alternative or extended theories of gravity has to be tested by comparison of predictions with experimental data. It is important that this comparison is done on all scales from the whole universe, i.e. on cosmological scales, via galaxy-clusters, galaxies, binary systems, black holes, the solar system, satellite experiments, down to laboratory experiments at micrometer and smallest scales, i.e. high energy scales looking for new elementary particles like axions or WIMPs. This seminar aims for discussing predictions and their comparison with experiments of extended and modified classical and quantum theories of gravity, on all scales. The goal is to identify theories, which are consistent on all scales, and, to identify observables, in which deviations of general relativity or the quantum nature of gravity is most likely to manifest itself. Organizing Committee: Dr. Christian Pfeifer, Laboratory for Theoretical Physics, University of Tartu Prof. Dr. Claus Laemmerzahl, ZARM, University of Bremen +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.2. Quantum spacetime and the Renormalization Group, Online workshop --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=17409 Starting: 2020-10-12 to 2020-10-16 Location: Online Additional Information: https://www.cp3-origins.dk/quantum-spacetime-and-the-renormalization-group/ Contact: eichhorn[AT]cp3.sdu.dk This is the fifth in a series of workshops on Quantum Spacetime and the Renormalization Group, bringing together researchers exploring a broad range of research avenues in Quantum Gravity, including, but not limited to, Asymptotically Safe Gravity, Causal and Euclidean Dynamical Triangulations, Causal Sets, Group Field Theories, Spin Foam models and Tensor Models. Previous installments took place at the Perimeter Institute in 2014, at Nordita in 2015, at the Lorentz Center in Leiden in 2017 and in Bad Honnef in 2018. The workshop will take place online. A particular focus will be placed on making it as interactive as possible. The schedule, including more information on the details of the online format, will appear in due course. To ensure a good discussion atmosphere, the maximum number of participants is limited. Application for participation is possible on the webpage. The main goals of the workshop are - contributing to sharpening the major conceptual and technical open questions of the field and identifying routes to answer these. - triggering new collaborations, in particular between researchers from neighboring communities, enabling a fruitful exchange of ideas and transfer of knowledge. - providing in particular young researchers with a comprehensive overview of the most pressing questions in the field and motivating them to tackle these from new angles. - producing novel ideas how to bridge the gap between a fundamental theory of quantum gravity and observations and triggering new developments towards observational tests of quantum gravity. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ============================================== 2. Jobs ============================================== 2.1. Postdoctoral Positions in the Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2020/08/05/postdoctoral-positions-in-the... Deadline: 2020-10-15 Location: Prague, Czech Republic Additional Information: http://astro.cas.cz/ Contact: gglukes[AT]asu.cas.cz The Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences invites applications for two post-doctoral positions in the Relativistic Astrophysics Group at the Prague section of the Institute. The appointment is initially for one year; an extension for another year is expected upon satisfactory scientific performance and availability of funds. Both positions will be funded through the project "Impact of Resonances and Chaos in Gravitational Waves from Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals", which is supported by the Czech Academy of Sciences. The salary will be based on the domestic level and it includes health insurance. Commencement is expected on the 1st of January 2021. Candidates are expected to demonstrate research experience at least in one of the following topics: orbital dynamics in EMRIs (Mathisson-Papapetrou equations, effective one-body approximation, self-force, post-Newtonian mechanics), gravitational waves (analytical and numerical calculation, data analysis, synergy with electromagnetic signatures), chaos theory in dynamical astronomy. A successful applicant will join Georgios Loukes-Gerakopoulos and his research team supported by the Lumina quaeruntur premium provided by the Czech Academy of Sciences. Applications containing a Cover Letter, a Curriculum Vitae, a List of Publications, and a Summary of Research Plans should be submitted in a single pdf to: sekretariat[AT]asu.cas.cz subject: "EMRI postdoc 2020 - Prague" cc: gglukes[AT]asu.cas.cz Two recommendation letters have to be sent to the same email addresses with the same subject. In the application please provide the exact date of your PhD defense or attach a statement from the supervisor certifying the planned date of the defense. The successful candidate must hold a PhD degree in the field and present a certificate of that by the date of employment. Preferences will be given to early-stage researchers. A necessary condition for the appointment is to satisfy the legal requirements for being employed in Czech Republic. For informal inquiries about the position please feel free to email Georgios Loukes-Gerakopoulos. To receive full consideration please submit your application and arrange your recommendation letters to be sent by 15th October 2020. Applications will be acknowledged by email. Once the selection process is completed, the successful applicant will be notified. Further information: o See http://www.asu.cas.cz for the list of working groups at the Institute. o See http://www.euraxess.cz for details about the research employment and work conditions in Czech Republic. o See https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/comparison.jsp to compare cost of living. Note: Please understand that the COVID-19 challenge may prevent us from admitting applicants from some regions because of legal or travel restrictions related to the current medical situation in the world. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.2. Postdoctoral Fellowships in Turkey, Istanbul, Turkey ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2020/08/11/postdoctoral-fellowships-in-t... Deadline: 2020-09-15 Location: Istanbul, Turkey Additional Information: http://cocirc2.org.tr/ Contact: framazanoglu[AT]ku.edu.tr Short Description: Turkey will host many Cofunded Brain Circulation Scheme (CoCirc2) fellows in the coming years in all areas of research. This is very similar to MSCA fellowships in terms of application procedure, duration and financial benefits, but the host institution has to be in Turkey. If you are a gravitational physicist (especially working on gravitational waves, numerical relativity and/or alternative theories) interested in working with Fethi M Ramazanoglu at Koc University, please read on. Co-Funded Brain Circulation Scheme (CoCirculation2) is a program managed by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) and funded jointly by TUBITAK and Europe's 7th Framework Programme. The fellowship is quite similar to MSCA Fellowships in structure, but the host has to be in Turkey. It aims to attract qualified researchers from abroad, and will fund around 25 fellows for 24 months . Detailed information can be found at http://cocirc2.org.tr/ - The fellowship is not restricted to any specific research discipline. - Each recipient will receive a monthly living and mobility allowance of 5050 Euros and monthly Research, Training and Networking cost of 800 Euros (note that living expenses in Turkey are considerably lower than the EU average). - There is no restriction on citizenship, please see the website about other eligibility requirements such as research experience. - There is a possibility of up to 6 months of secondments outside Turkey. - This year's applications opened on 4 August 2020, and close on 30 October 2020, but i will hold an internal deadline of September 15 to have time to finalize the proposal. - In my experience, the chances of being awarded this fellowship is considerably higher than obtaining the MSCA Fellowship since the host institute has to be in Turkey. The application procedure is also very similar to the MSCA Fellowships. Every applicant applies together with a supervisor, and to a specific institution. If you are interested in postdoctoral research on gravitational physics at Koc University, please send a CV with publication list and a short research statement (in summary or full length) to framazanoglu[AT]ku.edu.tr by our internal deadline of September 15. You can find my research interests at http://mysite.ku.edu.tr/framazanoglu/. I will pick one or two of the applicants to finalize proposals to submit. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.3. Postdoc opportunities in General Relativity, Dublin, Ireland ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=17422 Deadline: 2020-10-18 Location: Dublin, Ireland Additional Information: http://research.ie/funding/goipd/?f=postdoctoral Contact: brien.nolan[AT]dcu.ie The Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme is a competitive scheme funding 2-year research fellowships across all disciplines. The Relativity Group in Dublin City University (Abraham Harte, Brien Nolan, Ko Sanders, Peter Taylor and IRC Postdoc Aindriu Conroy) invites expressions of interest from potential applicants working in classical General Relativity (self-force/problem of motion, mathematical relativity, wave propagation in curved spacetimes, exact solutions) or in Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime (renormalisation, quantum aspects of black hole physics, algebraic QFT, mathematical aspects of QFT). The deadline for full applications to the IRC is 19th November 2020. To allow time for the collaborative preparation of a competitive application, those interested in the scheme should contact one of those named below by Sunday 18th October 2020, including a short cv and a brief statement of research interests. Terms and conditions for the 2021 scheme can be found at the link above. Note in particular that applicants must have either graduated or have been certified as having fulfilled all the requirements for the award of a doctoral degree, including the submission of the hardbound corrected thesis, within the five-year period between 31 May 2016 and 31 May 2021. Abraham Harte (abraham.harte[AT]dcu.ie) Brien Nolan (brien.nolan[AT]dcu.ie) Ko Sanders (jacobus.sanders[AT]dcu.ie) Peter Taylor (peter.taylor[AT]dcu.ie) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.4. Postdoctoral researcher in gravitational physics at the University of Mississippi, USA ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2020/08/31/postdoctoral-researcher-in-gr... Deadline: 2020-11-15 Location: Oxford, MS, USA Additional Information: https://relativity.phy.olemiss.edu/GR/?x=entry:entry200831-175310 Contact: lcstein[AT]olemiss.edu The gravity group at the University of Mississippi invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher in gravitational physics/astrophysics, with emphasis on: numerical relativity, testing general relativity, strong-field gravity, compact objects, gravitational waves, gravitational-wave data analysis, and related topics. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in numerical relativity and/or testing general relativity. A PhD in physics/mathematics/astronomy is required by the time of the initial appointment. The position is for two years, with potential for renewal for a third year contingent on performance and funding. The successful applicant will develop and advance their own independent research program, collaborate with UMiss gravity group faculty (Leo Stein, Anuradha Gupta, and Luca Bombelli) on their research, and help to train UM students. UMiss is a member of the Simulating eXtreme Spacetimes (SXS) collaboration, and the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC), and will thus provide ample opportunities to collaborate with other SXS and LSC member institutions. The nominal starting date for the position is Aug. 23, 2021, but is flexible. Applicants should submit an application by sending an email to grpostdoc[at]phy.olemiss.edu, including: a complete CV in PDF format (including publication list); a research proposal which covers research interests and experience; and contact information for three professional references who may provide letters. Letters are not requested at this time; these will be solicited later. Use the email subject "Gravity postdoc." Review of applications will begin Nov. 15, 2020 and will continue until the position is filled. Please direct questions about the position to Leo Stein lcstein[AT]olemiss.edu. The University of Mississippi is an EOE/AA/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Title VI/Title VII/Title IX/504/ADA/ADEA employer. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.5. Postdoctoral position in Relativistic Theoretical Astrophysics, Frankfurt, Germany ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2020/09/01/postdoctoral-position-in-rela... Deadline: 2020-10-31 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Additional Information: https://relastro.uni-frankfurt.de/ Contact: steidl[AT]itp.uni-frankfurt.dee Postdoctoral position in Theoretical Astrophysics, Frankfurt, Germany The group of Relativistic Theoretical Astrophysics in Frankfurt invites applications for a postdoctoral position in Relativistic Theoretical Astrophysics. Candidates should have a PhD in astrophysics, physics or applied mathematics. Candidates with knowledge and experience in modelling the electromagnetic emission from short GRBs and GRB phenomenology will be particularly favoured. Research experience with simulations in numerical relativity, relativistic hydrodynamics and MHD is seen as an advantage but not as a prerequisite. The successful applicant will be part of an international research group at the Institute for Theoretical Physics at Frankfurt, Germany. Interests of the group span from the modelling of the physics of neutron stars and black holes, to fundamental issues in gravitational physics (https://relastro.uni-frankfurt.de/). Frankfurt am Main is a lively and international city, and Europe's financial center. The application should comprise a CV, a publication list, and a research summary and proposal. Applicants should also arrange for three letters of reference to be sent to the address below. Applications will have to be sent by 31.10.2020 for full consideration, but the search will remain open till the optimal candidate is found. The position is initially for two years and can be extended - depending on successful performance and availability of funds. The expected starting date is 01.01.2021, but earlier/later appointments can be negotiated. Applications should be made electronically and sent to: Fr. Astrid Steidl: steidl[AT]itp.uni-frankfurt.de and to CC-ed to rezzolla[AT]itp.uni-frankfurt.de +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ============================================== 3. News ============================================== 3.1. Piotr T. Chrusciel, Geometry of black holes ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2020/08/08/piotr-t-chrusciel-geometry-of... Additional Information: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/geometry-of-black-holes-9780198855415?q=chrusciel&lang=en&cc=pl# New textbook From the publisher's web page: There exists a large scientific literature on black holes, including many excellent textbooks at various levels. However, most of these steer clear from the mathematical niceties needed to make the theory of black holes a mathematical theory. Those which maintain a high mathematical standard are either focused on specific topics, or skip many details. The objective of this book is to fill this gap and present a detailed, mathematically oriented, extended introduction to the subject. The book provides a wide background to the current research on all mathematical aspects of the geometry of black hole spacetimes. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 3.2. "Superradiance (2020 Edition)" by R. Brito, V. Cardoso and P. Pani ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=17411 Additional Information: https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030466213 Dear hyperspace community, We would like to announce the second edition of "Superradiance", co-authored by R. Brito, V. Cardoso and P. Pani, Springer Lecture Notes in Physics vol. 906 (2015). Details of the book are available at https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030466213 or in Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Superradiance-Frontiers-Black-Physics-Lecture/dp/3030... This volume gives a unified picture of the multifaceted subject of superradiance, with a focus on recent developments in the field, ranging from fundamental physics to astrophysics. The book covers all our current understanding on the physics of the amplification of waves by a medium, including classical effects such as the Cherenkov effect. The main body of the book deals with superradiance in black hole physics, with important applications in astrophysics and particle physics. Each chapter ends with a list of outstanding open problems and future directions. The second edition corrects a number of typos and, most importantly, adds and updates several sections, reflecting the intense activity in the field in the last years. Current bounds on ultralight fields are summarized in a Table, and will be updated online regularly. Best wishes to all, stay safe, Richard Brito, Vitor Cardoso, Paolo Pani ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 3.3. News from the Chalonge De Vega School ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2020/08/29/news-from-the-chalonge-de-veg... Additional Information: https://chalonge-devega.fr/Programme2020.html International School Daniel Chalonge - Hector de Vega Science with great intellectual endeavour and a Human face Open Science and Open Access. Scientific Research, Training and Scientific Culture Symposium, Tribute, Videoconferences. Ginsburg Landau Inflation News with Grand Unification and its predictions for the CMB and Large Scale Structures. Daniel Chalonge Medal and Hector de Vega Medal 2020. Hubble's constant and Dark Energy at the center of cosmology. Information Sciences, science linguistics and scientific creativity. And that is not all (quote from Henri Poincare') ... - Symposium in Celebration of E. Margaret Burbidge. Report and AAS Video of the event: https://baas.aas.org/pub/2020i0205/release/1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaGzYrFgNYo - The Hubble - Constant Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs0UolX-xdD_hU8Rl-qSbLA/ - Daniel Chalonge Medal and Hector de Vega Medal 2020: The two medals are awarded this year to Dr Adam G. Riess (Johns Hopkins University and SSTI, Baltimore) Nobel Prize in Physics in Cosmology. The medals are awarded for his contribution to the discovery of dark energy, to its interpretation as a cosmological constant and to his continuous results on the Hubble constant. Information on the conference event and medal presentation will be announced. - Hommage to Olivier Le Fevre. https://www.lam.fr/IMG/pdf/hommage.pdf - Quantum Universe, H0 and Dark Energy Visioconference by Norma Sanchez https://chalonge-devega.fr/NSanchez.mp4 https://chalonge-devega.fr/NormaSanchez-20May2020.pdf - Constraints on dynamical dark energy models from the abundance of massive high redshift galaxies Visioconference by Nicola Menci https://chalonge-devega.fr/NMenci.mp4 https://chalonge-devega.fr/Menci_presentation.pdf - News on Ginsburg-Landau Inflation and Grand Unification for and from the next CMB and LSS observations: https://chalonge-devega.fr/PredictivePhysicsSanchez.pdf And that is not all (quote from Henri Poincare')... Find the whole Chalonge - de Vega Programme 2020 New Universe and New Black Holes. Quantum Physics and Dark Energy at: https://chalonge-devega.fr/Programme2020.html With compliments and best regards The Daniel Chalonge - Hector de Vega School https://chalonge-devega.fr/HdeV.html https://chalonge-devega.fr ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 3.4. Living Reviews in Relativity: "AdS black holes, holography and localization" ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2020/08/31/living-reviews-in-relativity-... Additional Information: https://www.springer.com/gp/livingreviews/relativity The open-access journal Living Reviews in Relativity has published a new review article on 28 August 2020: Alberto Zaffaroni, "AdS black holes, holography and localization", Living Rev Relativ 23, 2 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1007/s41114-020-00027-8 Abstract: I review some recent progresses in counting the number of microstates of AdS supersymmetric black holes in dimension equal or greater than four using holography. The counting is obtained by applying localization and matrix model techniques to the dual field theory. I cover in details the case of dyonic AdS4 black holes, corresponding to a twisted compactification of the dual field theory, and I discuss the state of the art for rotating AdS5 black holes. Please, visit frequently our relativity channel (https://www.springer.com/gp/livingreviews/relativity) at http://livingreviews.org for other news. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 3.5. Scientific program of the 4th Zeldovich meeting ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2020/08/31/scientific-program-of-the-4th... Additional Information: http://www.icranet.org/zeldovich4 We are happy to announce the preliminary program of the 4th Zeldovich meeting, please see: http://www.icranet.org/images/stories/Meetings/ZM4/program.pdf. The time in the program is indicated in the Central European Time (CET). The meeting will be held within the Gotomeeting platform. It will be also steamed at the ICRANet YouTube channel. Additional information can be found at the website of the meeting: http://icranet.org/zeldovich4. We are looking forward to meeting you soon! The organizers ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++