########################################## Table of Contents ########################################### 1. Conferences 1.1. Dynamical Horizons, Binary Coalescences, Simulations and Waveforms (2nd announcement), Penn State, USA 1.2. Gravitational Waves, Black Holes and Fundamental Physics, Athens, Greece 1.3. The 28th Workshop on General Relativity and Gravitation in Japan, Tokyo 1.4. Scale invariance in particle physics and cosmology, CERN, Switzerland 1.5. Travelling through Pedro’s universes: from Spectroscopy to Cosmology, Madrid, Spain 1.6. Analytics, Inference, and Computation in Cosmology: Advanced methods, Cargese France 1.7. Loops'19, University Park, PA USA (1st announcement) 1.8. Energy conditions in quantum theory and gravity, York, UK (2nd announcement) 1.9. XI Black Holes Workshop, Lisbon, Portugal 1.10. 3rd HEL.A.S. Summer School and DAAD School "Neutron Stars and Gravitational Waves", Thessaloniki, Greece (2nd announcement) 1.11. Second Hermann Minkowski Meeting on the Foundations of Spacetime Physics, Albena, Bulgaria 2. Jobs 2.1. Postdoctoral position on materials for dark matter detection and quantum materials, Berkeley, USA 2.2. Faculty position in Gravitational Wave Astrophysics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands 2.3. PhD fellowship in mathematical physics, Cracow, Poland 2.4. Open Faculty Positions in Physics and Materials Science, Okinawa, Japan 2.5. Postdoctoral Researcher in High Energy Nuclear Physics at the University of Kansas 2.6. Postdoctoral Fellow at West Virginia University, WV, USA 2.7. INFN postdoctoral fellowships (COFUND-Fellini), Italy 2.8. W1 (Tenure-Track) Faculty Position in Theoretical Gravitational-Wave Physics, Frankfurt, Germany 3. News 3.1. GRG Editor’s Choice: recent highlight articles ============================================== 1. Conferences ============================================== 1.1. Dynamical Horizons, Binary Coalescences, Simulations and Waveforms (2nd announcement), Penn State, USA --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2018/07/05/second-announcement-dynamical... Starting: 2018-07-16 to 2018-07-19 Location: Penn State, University Park, PA, USA Additional Information: http://gravity.psu.edu/events/dynamicalhorizons/index-dh.shtml Contact: rxh1[AT]psu.edu SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT: The Institute for Gravitation and the Cosmos will hold a Focus Session to discuss novel ideas at the interface of post-Newtonian methods, horizon dynamics, numerical simulations and data analysis to create new tools to test the dynamical regime of full, non-linear general relativity through gravitational waves. It will be held at Penn State, University Park campus from July 16-19, 2018. The main session program will be over on July 18 but we will have additional information discussions on July 19. Recently, interesting ideas have been put forward to extract information about the progenitors of compact binary collisions from gravitational wave signals using, e.g., post-Newtonian methods. There is potential to connect the post-Newtonian inspiral phase to the beginning of the formation of the common dynamical horizon, and then relate the non-linear process by which the dynamical horizon settles down to the waveforms seen in detectors. The Focus Session will bring together expertise in four areas with the hope of making significant advances: Post-Newtonian methods, mathematical GR, numerical GR and data analysis. There will be a few talks in each area to bring everyone to the same wavelength and most of the session will be devoted to discussions aimed at cross-fertilization of ideas. Details on scientific organization will be available in due course. Confirmed participants include: K.G. Arun, Abhay Ashtekar, Sina Bahrami, Eugenio Bianchi, Ofek Birnholtz, Ivan Booth, Ssohrab Borhanian, Manuela Campanelli, Ding Ding, Deborah Ferguson, Patrick Godwin, Anuradha Gupta, Brennan Ireland, Jose-Luis Jaramillo, Neev Khera, Bhavesh Khomesra, Lawrence Kidder, Badri Krishnan, Pablo Laguna, Cody Messick, Purnima Narayan, B. Sathyaprakash, Deirdre Shoemaker, Andrey Shoom and Yosef Zlochower. Scientific Program Monday, July 16 Morning: PN Session 09:00 – 10:00 K. G. Arun: 40 minutes Overview talk + 20 minutes discussion What has been accomplished; Different kinds of approximations; Open issues 10:00 – 11:00 Discussion Session – Leader: B. Sathyaprakash One hour: Testing GR using PN results 11:00 – 11:30 Coffee break 11:30 – 12:30 Discussion Session Continued (One hour) Interface between PN and NR 12:30 – 02:00 Lunch Break Afternoon: NR Session 02:00 – 03:00 Pablo Laguna: 40 minutes Overview talk + 20 minutes discussion What has been accomplished; Waveform predictions; Parameter space 03:00 – 04:00 Discussion Session – Leader: Deirdre Shoemaker One hour: Black hole spectroscopy 04:00 – 04:30 Coffee break 04:30 – 05:30 Discussion Session – Leader: Yosef Zlochower One hour: Evolution of binaries and parameter estimation Tuesday, July 17 Morning: DH Session 09:00 – 10:00 Badri Krishnan: 40 minutes Overview Talk + 20 minutes discussion Basic notions and numerical simulations 10:00 – 11:00 Discussion Session – Leader: Abhay Ashtekar One hour: Multipoles; hair; relation to null 11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break 11:30 – 12:30 Discussion Session – Leader: Jose Luis Jaramillo DHs and Null infinity as screens 12:30 – 02:00 Lunch Break Afternoon: PN, NR and DHs 02:00 – 03:00 B. Sathyaprakash: 40 minutes Overview Talk + 20 minutes discussion Phenomenological and Effective 1 Body models 03:00 – 04:00 Discussion Session – Leader: Larry Kidder Modeling: Interface of analytical and numerical methods 04:00 – 04:30 Coffee Break 04:30 – 05:30 Discussion Session – Leader: Pablo Laguna DHS and NR 7:00 Banquet Wednesday, July 18 Morning: Data Analysis 09:00 – 10:00 K. G. Arun: 40 minutes Overview Talk + 20 minutes discussion Algorithms for testing GR and alternative theories 10:00 – 11:00 Discussion Session – Leader: B. Sathyaprakash Data analysis challenges for testing GR 11:00 – 12:30 Breakout Discussion Session (3 groups) Leaders: B. Krishnan, P. Laguna, K. G. Arun 12:30 - 02:00 Lunch Break 02:00 – 03:30 Breakout Discussion Session Continued (3 groups) Leaders: Jose-Luis Jaramillo, Larry Kidder, B. Sathyaprakash 03:30 – 05:00 Reports from the three groups and closing discussion Chair: Abhay Ashtekar Thursday, July 19 Morning: Informal Discussions Sponsors: This Focus Session is supported by the Pittsburgh Foundation through its Urania Stott Fund and the Eberly College of Science. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.2. Gravitational Waves, Black Holes and Fundamental Physics, Athens, Greece --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2018/07/06/gravitational-waves-black-hol... Starting: 2019-01-21 to 2019-01-24 Location: Athens, Greece Additional Information: http://www.physics.upatras.gr/confgw/ Contact: anastop[AT]upatras.gr Athens 2019: Gravitational Waves, Black Holes and Fundamental Physics Abstract: Athens 2019:GWverse2 is the second in a series of conferences from the COST Action ”CA 16104 Gravitational waves, black holes and fundamental physics (GWverse)”. The consortium links three normally disjoint communities, namely Gravitational Wave detection and analysis, BH modeling (in both astrophysical and GR contexts), and strong-gravity tests of fundamental physics. The aim of the conference is to bring about discussion and collaboration between people working in these communities. Topics: Astrophysics (Super massive black hole growth and evolution, Transient observations, Numerical relativity, N-body dynamics, Binary formation and population synthesis, Dark matter and primordial Black Holes, Cosmography, Astroparticles, Dual AGN Observations, stellar mass BHs: growth, evolution and binary formation); Source modelling (Perturbation methods, Post-Newtonian and post-Minkowskian methods, Numerical Relativity, Effective and phenomenological methods, Impact on data analysis problem); Black holes and fundamental physics (Testing the Black Holes hypothesis, Strong field parameterizations, Black holes beyond General Relativity, Black hole perturbation theory and fundamental physics, Binaries in alternative theories of gravity) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.3. The 28th Workshop on General Relativity and Gravitation in Japan, Tokyo --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=14266 Starting: 2018-11-05 to 2018-11-09 Location: Tokyo, Japan Additional Information: https://www2.rikkyo.ac.jp/web/jgrg28/ Contact: jgrg28[AT]rikkyo.ac.jp Dear Colleague, We are pleased to announce that the 28th Workshop on General Relativity and Gravitation (JGRG28) will be held in Rikkyo University on 5-9 November 2018. JGRG is a series of workshops held in Japan every year since 1991, which has provided a place where people can exchange ideas and pursue future trends of research. The workshop will cover a wide area of research related to general relativity and gravitation. A tentative list of invited speakers is given below. Bernard J. Carr (Queen Mary, U. of London)* Jonathan R. Gair (Cambridge U.) Mark B. Hindmarsh (Sussex U.) David F. Mota (Inst. Theor. Astrophys., Oslo) Jose' M. M. Senovilla (Basque U., Bilbao) Hirotaka Takahashi (Nagaoka U. Tech.) Jean-Philippe Uzan (Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris) Vincent Vennin (Paris U. VII, APC) *=to be confirmed Important information is the following: Dates: 5-9 November 2018 Venue: Tachikawa Memorial Hall, Ikebukuro Campus, Rikkyo University, Tokyo Registration will be open from 15 July 2018. Registration Deadlines: Participants who apply for travel expenses support: 15 September 2018 Participants who apply for presentation: 15 September 2018 All other participants: 1 October 2018 Please visit the website: https://www2.rikkyo.ac.jp/web/jgrg28/ SOC: Hideki Asada (Hirosaki), Takeshi Chiba (Nihon U.), Tomohiro Harada (Rikkyo U.), Kunihito Ioka (YITP, Kyoto), Akihiro Ishibashi (Kindai U.), Hideki Ishihara (Osaka City U.), Sugumi Kanno (Osaka), Masahiro Kawasaki (ICRR, Tokyo), Hideo Kodama (YITP, Kyoto), Yasufumi Kojima (Hiroshima), Kei-ichi Maeda (Waseda U.), Shinji Mukohyama (YITP, Kyoto), Takashi Nakamura (Kyoto), Ken-ichi Nakao (Osaka City U.), Yasusada Nambu (Nagoya), Ken-ichi Oohara (Niigata), Misao Sasaki (Kavli IPMU, Tokyo), Masaru Shibata (AEI and YITP, Kyoto), Tetsuya Shiromizu (Nagoya), Jiro Soda (Kobe), Naoshi Sugiyama (Nagoya), Hideyuki Tagoshi (ICRR, Tokyo), Takahiro Tanaka (Kyoto), Masahide Yamaguchi (Tokyo Institute of Technology), Kazuhiro Yamamoto (Hiroshima), Ryo Yamazaki (Aoyama Gakuin U.), Jun'ichi Yokoyama (RESCEU, Tokyo) LOC: Tomohiro Harada (Rikkyo U., Chair), Takashi Hiramatsu (Rikkyo U.), Takahisa Igata (Rikkyo U.), Tsutomu Kobayashi (Rikkyo U.), Kazufumi Takahashi (Rikkyo U.), Shuichiro Yokoyama (Rikkyo U.) Sincerely, HARADA, Tomohiro +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.4. Scale invariance in particle physics and cosmology, CERN, Switzerland --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=14272 Starting: 2019-01-28 to 2019-02-01 Location: CERN, Switzerland Additional Information: https://indico.cern.ch/event/740038/overview Contact: a.eichhorn[AT]thphys.uni-heidelberg.de Theories with (classical or quantum) scale-invariance provide a dynamical origin of all mass scales and present a number of interesting aspects: they are an appealing framework to address the hierarchy problem and lead to naturally flat inflationary potentials and dark matter candidates. The aim of the theory institute is to discuss scale invariance in particle physics and cosmology. In particular, the inclusion of gravity in a scale-invariant framework might have far-reaching consequences and will be discussed at this meeting. A partial list of speakers includes Fedor Bezrukov John Donoghue Astrid Eichhorn Christopher T. Hill Bob Holdom D. R. Timothy Jones Archil Kobakhidze Manfred Lindner Hermann Nicolai Roberto Percacci* Javier Rubio Alberto Salvio Kellogg Stelle* Alessandro Strumia Christof Wetterich * to be confirmed Registration is open now and participation at the event is moderated, i.e., applications will have to be approved by the organizers. Practical information: There is no registration fee. A limited number of rooms have already been pre-booked at CERN hotels, please contact THworkshops.secretariat[AT]cern.ch (after registration) if you want to stay there during the meeting. Organizers: A. Eichhorn, J. Rubio, A. Salvio, S. Sibiryakov, M. Shaposhnikov, A. Strumia, C. Wetterich +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.5. Travelling through Pedro’s universes: from Spectroscopy to Cosmology, Madrid, Spain --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2018/07/13/travelling-through-pedros-uni... Starting: 2018-12-03 to 2018-12-05 Location: Faculty of Physics of the Complutense University of Madrid (Spain) Additional Information: https://teorica.fis.ucm.es/pedrosuniverses/index.html Contact: pedrosuniverses[AT]ucm.es This is an international and multidisciplinary workshop in honour of Prof. Pedro Felix Gonzalez Diaz, who passed away already 6 years ago. It will be held in the Faculty of Physics of the Complutense University of Madrid from the 3rd to the 5th of December 2018. As Pedro treated so many topics during his career, the workshop will be composed by several short sessions, consisting of one or two overview talks and introduced by experts of the field. The topics will run from spectroscopy to popular science theatre, with a special emphasis in topics related with gravitation and cosmology. Plenary speakers: • Juan Diego Ania Castanon (Institute of Optics, CSIC) • Carlos Barcelo (Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia, CSIC) • Mar Bastero Gil (University of Granada) • Juana Bellanato (retired, Institute for the Structure of Matter, CSIC) • Mariam Bouhmadi Lopez (University of the Basque Country) • Claus Kiefer (University of Cologne) • Francisco Lobo (University of Lisbon) • Marta Macho (University of the Basque Country) • Jose M. Martin Senovilla (University of the Basque Country) • Guillermo A. Mena Marugan (Institute for the Structure of Matter, CSIC) • Salvador Robles Perez (Ecological Station of Biocosmology of Medellín) • Magna Santos (retired, Institute for the Structure of Matter, CSIC) • Sanchis Sinisterra (dramatist)* • Alexei Starobinsky (Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics) • Juan Alberto Torresano (University Carlos III of Madrid) • Matt Visser (Victoria University of Wellington) Organizers: • Ana Alonso Serrano (Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics) • Mariam Bouhmadi Lopez (University of the Basque Country) • Luis J. Garay (Complutense University of Madrid) • Antonio Lopez Maroto (Complutense University of Madrid) • Prado Martin Moruno (Complutense University of Madrid) • Jose A. Ruiz Cembranos (Complutense University of Madrid) • Hector Villarrubia Rojo (Complutense University of Madrid) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.6. Analytics, Inference, and Computation in Cosmology: Advanced methods, Cargese France --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2018/07/26/analytics-inference-and-compu... Starting: 2018-09-02 to 2018-09-08 Location: Cargese, France Additional Information: http://www.cpt.univ-mrs.fr/~cosmo/MFC2018/index.php Contact: triay[AT]cpt.univ-mrs.fr Cosmology is about understanding the origin and evolution of the universe and the formation of all structure within it — one of the most challenging intellectual projects undertaken by humanity. To make progress, we need the most powerful mathematical methods available: analytics to guide us through subtle theoretical issues, simulations to compute the detailed quantitative predictions of the theory, and statistical inference to confront these predictions with large cosmological data sets. The IHP trimester entitled “Analytics, Inference, and Computation in Cosmology,” will be dedicated not only to the “what” and the “why” but also, and specifically, to the “how” of cosmological calculation. Is the mathematical toolset of cosmology adequate for the challenges ahead? Where do we need new ideas? Whether it be on advances in analytical techniques, innovative computational methods or new ways to infer cosmological information from cosmological data, this trimester will be an occasion to gather the leading experts from around the world to share their expertise, spark new ideas and collaborations, and equip the next generation of cosmologists with the innovative mathematical tools we need as we enter a new era in precision cosmology. The trimester will consist of an introductory school in Corsica followed by a three month programme at the IHP in Paris. A limited number of scholarships is still available for covering the expense of your stay at the IESC (accommodation and lunches), the dinners and travel expenses are NOT included. Topics : Effective Field Theory In Cosmology Random Matrices Bayesian Inference: Principles And Techniques Computational Methods In Cosmology Advanced Topics In (Bayesian) Data Analysis +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.7. Loops'19, University Park, PA USA (1st announcement) --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2018/07/27/loops19/ Starting: 2019-06-17 to 2019-06-21 Location: University Park, PA USA Additional Information: http://gravity.psu.edu/events/loops19/index-loops19.shtml Contact: rxh1[AT]psu.edu This is the first announcement of the international conference Loops'19, the biannual conference on Loop Quantum Gravity and background independent approaches to quantum gravity. The conference will be held at the University Park campus of Penn State from Monday, June 17 through Friday, June 21, 2019. The conference will be preceded by the Loops'19 Summer School held at Bard College (NY) on June 10 - 16, 2019 and followed by the IGC@25 Multimessenger Universe conference celebrating the 25 years of the Institute for Gravitation and the Cosmos, also held at Penn State on June 24 - 27, 2019. Please mark your calendars. Information on the conference website and registration will appear soon in the second announcement. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.8. Energy conditions in quantum theory and gravity, York, UK (2nd announcement) --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=14306 Starting: 2018-09-20 to 2018-09-21 Location: York, UK Additional Information: https://sites.google.com/a/york.ac.uk/energy-conditions-in-quantum-theory-an... Contact: eleni.kontou[AT]york.ac.uk The workshop “Energy conditions in quantum theory and gravity” will be held from September 20-21, 2018 at the University of York (UK) in the historic King’s Manor. Registration is now open until September 1st. For more information and registration visit the workshop website: https://sites.google.com/a/york.ac.uk/energy-conditions-in-quantum-theory-an... Classical energy conditions were introduced as a means of codifying generic properties of matter in general relativity. They play key roles in the singularity theorems of Hawking and Penrose and in many other results of mathematical relativity. However, not all models of classical matter obey the pointwise energy conditions, and quantum fields cannot obey any of them. This workshop will address two main themes, bringing together experts in both areas: (a) the use of weakened energy conditions in classical relativity, (b) the Quantum Energy Inequalities that can be proved for various quantum field theory models, and their consequences. In addition, related topics in mathematical relativity and quantum field theory will be discussed. This workshop also falls in the 40th anniversary year of the first paper on energy inequalities in quantum field theory. [LH Ford, Proc.Roy.Soc.Lond. A364 (1978) 227-236] Invited speakers: Erik Curiel (University of Munich) Larry Ford (Tufts University) Stefan Hollands (Leipzig University) Jorma Louko (University of Nottingham) Ken Olum (Tufts University) Nicola Pinamonti (University of Genoa) Ko Sanders (Dublin City University) Robert Wald (University of Chicago) Aron Wall (Stanford University) Elizabeth Winstanley (University of Sheffield) Organizers: Christopher Fewster (University of York) Eleni-Alexandra Kontou (University of York) Funded by Marie Sklodowska Curie fellowship grant 744037 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.9. XI Black Holes Workshop, Lisbon, Portugal --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=14308 Starting: 2018-12-17 to 2018-12-18 Location: Lisbon, Portugal Additional Information: https://centra.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/network/grit/bhw11/ Contact: rita.t.sousa[AT]tecnico.ulisboa.pt The Black Holes Workshops gather researchers working on mathematical and physical problems of gravitation, both in its classical and quantum aspects, as well as on superstrings, cosmology and astrophysics, and stimulate the interaction between them. The eleventh edition of the Black Holes Workshop invites researchers on black holes in all their aspects to participate, and will be held at Instituto Superior Tecnico (IST) in Lisbon, from 17-18 December 2018. These meetings are informal and there is no registration fee. The workshop will consist of contributed talks by the participants. There will be a social dinner on Monday evening (December 17th). If you are interested in attending the workshop, please register and send an abstract before November 15th. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.10. 3rd HEL.A.S. Summer School and DAAD School "Neutron Stars and Gravitational Waves", Thessaloniki, Greece (2nd announcement) --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2018/07/28/3rd-hel-a-s-summer-school-and... Starting: 2018-10-08 to 2018-10-12 Location: Thessaloniki, Greece Additional Information: http://www.astro.auth.gr/summer2018/ Contact: summer2018[AT]astro.auth.gr 3rd HEL.A.S. SUMMER SCHOOL AND DAAD SCHOOL NEUTRON STARS AND GRAVITATIONAL WAVES OCTOBER 8-12, 2018 THESSALONIKI, GREECE Important dates: Early registration: 20/8/2018 ; Late registration: 10/9/2018 SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT With the detection of the binary black hole merger GW150914, we have entered the era of Gravitational Wave Astronomy, while the detection of the binary neutron star merger GW170817 was the first example of Gravitational Wave Multi-messenger observations. In the coming years, additional science runs with the LIGO and VIRGO detectors are expected to lead to exciting new discoveries, with KAGRA and LIGO-India subsequently joining the existing detectors and forming a global network. In parallel, new upgrades and new detectors are planned, whereas space-born gravitational wave detectors, such as LISA, are under intense development. The main goal of this school is to provide an introduction to the foundations of Gravitational Waves, including theory, numerical simulations, principles of detection and astrophysical implications. Neutron Stars will be discussed in detail as one of the prime sources of gravitational waves, emphasizing the key role that gravitational wave astronomy can play in constraining the theory of gravity observationally. The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki will welcome around 30 MSc and PhD students to attend the summer school, which will introduce them to key concepts in this exciting field as well as provide them with an opportunity to interact with experts. Advanced undergraduate students that are engaged in research projects related to the theme of the summer school may also apply. The program of the summer school will consist of several 90’ minutes lectures on each morning, with additional exercise-style lectures and talks by members of the DAAD collaboration on each afternoon. Indicative titles for the lectures are: 1) Theory of gravitational waves 2) Compact object oscillations and GW asteroseismology 3) Constraints on the neutron star equation of state 4) Magnetars and core-collapse supernovae 4) Compact objects in alternative theories of gravity 5) GW detectors: LIGO/VIRGO and planned 3rd generation detectors 6) LISA mission and science Lecturers: Pau Amaro-Seoane (Barcelona) Theocharis Apostolatos (Athens) Andreas Bauswein (HITS-Heidelberg / Darmstadt) Katerina Chatziioannou (CITA Toronto) Michael Gabler (MPA-Garching) Stavros Katsanevas (EGO Director) Kostas Kokkotas (Tuebingen) Georgios Lalazisis (Thessaloniki) Nikolaos Stergioulas (Thessaloniki) The school will take place at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Partial grants for local expenses to a limited number of participants are provided by the Hellenic Astronomical Society (HEL.A.S.). The school is supported by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, by the Department of Physics and by the Section of Astrophysics, Astronomy and Mechanics. The school is also supported by a DAAD grant for the academic collaboration between the relativity groups of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the University of Tuebingen. A number of rooms at selected hotels have been reserved at special prices. Please note that the block reservation will be valid only until August 30, 2018, so it is advisable to make your reservation as soon as possible. After that, rooms and prices will depend on the availability of each hotel. We are looking forward to meeting all interested participants in Thessaloniki in October! With our best regards, The Organizing Committee K. Kokkotas N. Stergioulas P. Iosif G. Tantilian N. Tryfonidis S. Vretinaris +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.11. Second Hermann Minkowski Meeting on the Foundations of Spacetime Physics, Albena, Bulgaria --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2018/08/01/second-hermann-minkowski-meet... Starting: 2019-05-13 to 2019-05-16 Location: Albena, Bulgaria Additional Information: http://www.minkowskiinstitute.org/meetings/2019/ Contact: minkowski2019[AT]minkowskiinstitute.org The Second Hermann Minkowski Meeting on the Foundations of Spacetime Physics will commemorate the 110th anniversary of the publication of Minkowski's lecture "Space and Time" in 1909, which presented the novel ideas of the four-dimensional physics of spacetime. In addition to technical papers on areas related to Minkowski's contributions to the foundations of spacetime physics and on modern ramifications of his ideas, contributions on closely related topics will be also welcome. In addition to talks and poster sessions, special tea/coffee hours will be included in the program to stimulate more informal discussions among the participants. For this reason we encourage interested colleagues to attend the meeting even if they do not plan to give a talk. Contributed papers in the form of extended abstracts from one to two standard pages should be emailed by Thursday, January 31, 2019 to minkowski2019[AT]minkowskiinstitute.org. Submissions will be reviewed and notification of acceptance will be given by Friday, March 1, 2019. Scientific Organizing Committee: Abhay Ashtekar (Penn State University) Dennis Dieks (Utrecht University) George F. R. Ellis (University of Cape Town) Valeria Ferrari (University of Rome "La Sapienza") David Garfinkle (Okland University) Robert Geroch (University of Chicago) James Isenberg (University of Oregon) Claus Kiefer (University of Cologne) Vesselin Petkov (Minkowski Institute, Montreal) Carlo Rovelli (Centre de Physique Theorique de Luminy) Mairi Sakellariadou (King's College London, University of London) James Owen Weatherall (University of California, Irvine) Nick Woodhouse (University of Oxford, Clay Mathematics Institute) Christian Wuethrich (University of Geneva) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ============================================== 2. Jobs ============================================== 2.1. Postdoctoral position on materials for dark matter detection and quantum materials, Berkeley, USA ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=14243 Deadline: 2018-12-31 Location: Berkeley, California, USA Additional Information: https://lbl.referrals.selectminds.com/jobs/materials-theory-and-computation-... Contact: sgriffin[AT]lbl.gov Berkeley Lab’s Materials Sciences Division has an opening for a Materials Theory and Computation for High-Energy Physics and Quantum Sensing Postdoctoral Scholar. Work will focus on the description and design of quantum materials with applications to high-energy physics and quantum sensing using first-principles calculations. Quantum materials is the term given to a new paradigm in condensed matter physics, encompassing materials with exotic physical properties that have potential technological importance. A burgeoning area of quantum materials and information is sensing and detection where quantum phenomena are used to measure a physical property. The incumbent will lay the groundwork for a materials-specific understanding and manipulation of new functional quantum materials for sensing and detection using first-principles calculations. It will include close collaboration with other theorists and with experimentalists, both in condensed matter and other fields, to design and characterize quantum materials with functional properties. This appointment is joined between the Molecular Foundry and the Materials Science Division in the group of Dr. Sinead M. Griffin. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.2. Faculty position in Gravitational Wave Astrophysics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2018/07/02/faculty-position-in-gravitati... Deadline: 2018-08-17 Location: Nijmegen, the Netherlands Additional Information: https://www.ru.nl/astrophysics/about-us/vacancies/ Contact: nelemans[AT]astro.ru.nl The Institute of Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics is looking for a tenure-track assistant professor in order to strengthen its research in Gravitational Wave Astrophysics. Our department of Astrophysics is part of the Institute of Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics (IMAPP). It is a friendly and open department consisting of 13 faculty, ~10 postdocs and ~25 PhD students. Research activities are concentrated in the fields of supermassive and stellar-mass black holes including the Event Horizon Telescope, jets, compact binaries, optical and radio transients, gravitational-wave (GW) and radio astronomy, stellar and binary evolution, stellar clusters, Galactic structure and magnetic fields, cosmic-rays and astroparticle physics, and asteroseismology. We are part of the Netherlands Research School for Astronomy (NOVA), and have access to major (inter)national research facilities (ESO, ESA, LOFAR/WSRT, ING telescopes), as well as to major computer facilities, either via a local cluster or national supercomputing facilities. Within IMAPP, we have close collaborations with the department of high-energy physics and with the applied stochastic group. For more information, see http://www.astro.ru.nl The GW group is part of the Virgo collaboration, is the PI institute of the BlackGEM-array of telescopes and leads the NL activities for the LISA mission. We collaborate closely with Nikhef and the University of Amsterdam. Our group has been very active in the recent discoveries of GW sources, being (leaders) on the writing teams of the GW150914 Astrophysical interpretation paper, the GW170817 Multi-messenger paper and the GW170608 GW paper. We are looking for an assistant professor (“UD: university lecturer”) to strengthen the research in the area of GW Astrophysics, to consolidate our position in this field and where possible seek collaborations with other departments within IMAPP. We offer a stimulating environment to develop your career. In special cases, appointment at a more senior level can be considered. You should have a PhD in physics or astronomy and previous experience in the area of GW Astrophysics. You are expected to actively participate in the teaching of the physics and astronomy curriculum and in the outreach and management activities. The Faculty of Science is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a culturally diverse intellectual community, and as such strongly encourages applications from women and minorities. Priority will be given to female applicants in case of equal qualifications. The position is part of the collective labour agreement (CAO) of the Dutch universities, with gross/month salaries of 3500-5000 Euro depending on experience (gross/year 50000-60000Euro). University positions in the Netherlands include good medical and social benefits (including maternity and paternity leave and child care) plus holiday and end-of-year bonuses. Radboud University stimulates a good work-life balance via several regulations. For more information on the benefits see http://www.ru.nl/english/working-at/why-work-radboud-university/terms-employ... http://www.ru.nl/english/working-at/why-work-radboud-university/group-health... Application deadline: August 17, 2018 Please send your application, including a research statement and 3 reference letters to secr@astro.ru.nl with “GW Astro search” as subject. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.3. PhD fellowship in mathematical physics, Cracow, Poland ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=14261 Deadline: 2018-08-31 Location: Cracow, Poland Additional Information: http://www.if.uj.edu.pl/en_GB/institute Contact: bizon[AT]th.if.uj.edu.pl Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, invites applications for a PhD fellowship within the research project "Dynamics in spatially confined Hamiltonian systems" funded by the Polish National Science Centre. The goal of this project is to advance understanding of propagation of nonlinear waves in spatially confined systems. We are looking for a well motivated student of physics or mathematics with good analytic solving skills. Applications and inquiries should be sent to prof. Piotr Bizon at bizon[AT]th.if.uj.edu.pl. The deadline for applications is August 31, 2018. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.4. Open Faculty Positions in Physics and Materials Science, Okinawa, Japan ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=14284 Deadline: 2018-09-15 Location: Okinawa, Japan Additional Information: https://groups.oist.jp/facultypositions Contact: faculty-recruiting[AT]oist.jp Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (https://www.oist.jp/) invites applications for at least 3 new faculty positions in Physics and Materials Science, as part of its planned expansion of the University. All areas of Physics and Materials Science will be considered; areas of current interest include, but are not limited to: biophysics, gravitation, cosmology and astrophysics, quantum information, quantum matter, quantum technologies, soft matter, statistical physics, and ultrafast optical spectroscopy. In general, our focus is on attracting outstanding scholars, irrespective of any particular area of specialization. Excellent scholarship and creativity are the main criteria. We are particularly interested in scholars who complement and extend existing strengths at OIST and have the potential to interact broadly with the interdisciplinary OIST community. In addition, successful candidates must also demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in research and education. Successful candidates are expected to establish an active and independent program of research, to supervise Ph.D. students, to teach in the graduate program, and perform university services as required. Generous research resources will be provided, which may be supplemented with external grants. Appointments will be Tenure-Track or Tenured. Starting date is flexible. Applications should include the following: 1. Cover Letter with contact details 2. CV and Publication List: select up to 6 significant publications, include 1-2 sentences to describe each publication 3. Research Statement: summary of previous research (max. 1 page) and a research proposal (including a short title of your research; max. 2 pages) 4. Teaching Statement (max. 1 page) 5. Confidential Letter of Recommendation or Evaluation (3 referees) OIST Graduate University is an equal opportunity educator and employer that is actively working to increase the diversity of its faculty, students and staff. OIST has implemented policies designed to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion and a family friendly working environment (See at https://groups.oist.jp/sites/default/files/imce/u100221/Equality%20and%20Div...). These include considerations for hiring and supporting dual career couples, “stop the clock” options for new parents, an on site child care facility for children from 2 months to 6 years of age, and after-school and holiday programs for K-6 children. The University strongly encourages applications from women and other underrepresented groups. Inquiries should be directed to Dr. Milind Purohit, Dean of Faculty Affairs, faculty-recruiting[AT]oist.jp +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.5. Postdoctoral Researcher in High Energy Nuclear Physics at the University of Kansas ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=14285 Deadline: 2018-08-06 Location: Lawrence, KS, USA Additional Information: https://employment.ku.edu/staff/12411BR Contact: christophe.royon[AT]ku.edu Applications are invited for a post-doctoral researcher position in high energy nuclear physics with the University of Kansas beginning as early as September 1, 2018 or until the position is filled. This position will be in residence at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. Post-doctoral researcher candidates are required to have a Ph.D. in physics by date of appointment and research experience in high energy nuclear science or a related experimental field. Successful candidates will contribute in several aspects of the nuclear group's research program including data analysis in the Heavy Ion and Standard Model group, MC production, detector development and operation, data analysis and event simulation, and publication of research results. Candidates with relevant interests and experience are sought. For more information and to apply go to https://employment.ku.edu/staff/12411BR . A complete online application include a Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae (including publications list), Statement of Research Interests and Skills and at least three letters of recommendation – letters should be emailed to Prof. Christophe Royon (christophe.royon[AT]ku.edu) or mailed to Department of Physics & Astronomy, 1251 Wescoe Hall Drive, Room 1082, Malott Hall, Lawrence, KS 66045 USA. Review of applications will begin August 6, 2018. For first consideration, please apply before this date. Inquiries can be made by email to christophe.royon[AT]ku.edu. The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, retaliation, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and is the University’s Title IX Coordinator: the Executive Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA[AT]ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.6. Postdoctoral Fellow at West Virginia University, WV, USA ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=14290 Deadline: 2018-08-03 Location: Morgantown, WV, USA Additional Information: https://wvu.taleo.net/careersection/wvu_research/jobdetail.ftl?job=09167&tz=GMT-04%3A00 Contact: sean.mcwilliams[AT]mail.wvu.edu West Virginia University is seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow within the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The successful applicant will join the West Virginia University Gravitational-Wave Astrophysics Center (GWAC) and the NANOGrav Physics Frontiers Center. The ideal candidate will contribute to ongoing efforts to model the gravitational-wave signals observable by NANOGrav, by incorporating observational data into population models, and using those results to make predictions about the observability of a stochastic background and individually resolvable signals. In addition, the candidate will have the opportunity to advise graduate students and undergraduates on projects related to the development of gravitational-wave models relevant to NANOGrav. Questions about the position should be directed to Prof. Sean McWilliams at the contact email address listed. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.7. INFN postdoctoral fellowships (COFUND-Fellini), Italy ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2018/07/31/infn-postdoctoral-fellowships... Deadline: 2018-09-18 Location: Italy Additional Information: https://web.infn.it/fellini/index.php Contact: bruno.giacomazzo[AT]unitn.it Applications are invited for 15 fellowship positions, under the INFN Marie Sklodowska-Curie COFUND Fellowship Programme entitled FELLINI – “Fellowship for Innovation at INFN”. Applications are open to researchers of any nationality to conduct research in the following fields covered by the INFN (Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics): 1) Experimental Particle Physics 2) Experimental Astroparticle Physics 3) Experimental Nuclear Physics 4) Theoretical Physics 5) Technological Research Candidates must be in possession of a doctoral degree or have at least four years of full-time equivalent research experience and must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Italy for more than 12 months in the 3 years before the call deadline. The gross salary will be Euros 50.520 per year. Fellowships are awarded for a three-year appointment. A mandatory twelve-month secondment to a different research institution or in a high-tech private company, on paid leave from INFN, is also expected. For further information on the Programme, the call for proposal, and the required documentation, please visit the FELLINI programme website https://web.infn.it/fellini/index.php Please apply online at the following link (search for “cofund”): https://reclutamento.infn.it/ReclutamentoOnline/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.8. W1 (Tenure-Track) Faculty Position in Theoretical Gravitational-Wave Physics, Frankfurt, Germany ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2018/08/02/w1-tenure-track-faculty-posit... Deadline: 2018-09-15 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Additional Information: http://www.goethe-university-frankfurt.de/66533451/ITP Contact: rezzolla[AT]itp.uni-frankfurt.de he Institute for Theoretical Physics (ITP) at the Goethe University Frankfurt am Main invites applications for a Junior-Professor Faculty Position (W1) in Theoretical Gravitational-Wave Physics to be filled at the earliest possible date. The position is funded in the context of the DFG-funded CRC-TR 211 "Strong-interaction matter under extreme conditions" (https://th.physik.uni-frankfurt.de/~strongmatter). We are looking for an early-career researcher with an outstanding research record in the field of gravitational-wave physics and its connections to neutron stars and nuclear physics. Participation in current and future collaborative-research initiatives of the Department of Physics, as well as interdisciplinary cooperation within the Faculties of Science is expected. The ideal candidate has a PhD in Theoretical Physics and will be able to teach Theoretical Physics at all levels, including advanced courses in Theoretical Astrophysics and Gravitational Physics. The position is for 6 years, with an evaluation after the first three years, but tenure and promotion to W2 or W3 level is possible after successful evaluation. Details on the procedure to follow for the application will appear within one week on the webpage of the ITP: http://www.goethe-university-frankfurt.de/66533451/ITP? The deadline for applications is set to 15.09.18 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ============================================== 3. News ============================================== 3.1. GRG Editor’s Choice: recent highlight articles ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: https://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2018/07/25/grg-editors-choice-recent-hig... 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 papers are marked as “Editor’s Choice”. The primary criteria is original, high-quality research that is of wide interest within the community. These recent articles deserve special attention: Henric Krawczynski "Difficulties of quantitative tests of the Kerr-hypothesis with X-ray observations of mass accreting black holes" https://doi.org/10.1007/s10714-018-2419-8 Ivan Agullo "Primordial power spectrum from the Dapor–Liegener model of loop quantum cosmology" https://doi.org/10.1007/s10714-018-2413-1 Please, browse all Editor’s Choice articles at: https://www.springer.com/gp/livingreviews/relativity/grg-editors-choice Frank Schulz Publishing Editor GRG ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++