########################################## Table of Contents ########################################### 1. Conferences 1.1. Testing Gravity 2017, Vancouver, Canada 1.2. Summer School "Between Geometry and Relativity", Vienna, Austria 1.3. 2016 Midwest Relativity Meeting, Waterloo, Canada 1.4. Quantum Gravity in the Southern Cone VII, Punta del Este, Uruguay 1.5. Modern Developments in General Relativity and their Historical Roots, Kings College London, UK 1.6. The 26th Japanese workshop on General Relativity and Gravitation, Osaka, Japan 1.7. GW161212: The Universe through gravitational waves, New York, USA 1.8. Models of Gravity - Black Holes, Neutron Stars, and the Structure of Space-time, Oldenburg, Germany 2. Jobs 2.1. Postdoctoral position in Gravitational Wave Astronomy, Rhodes University, South Africa 2.2. Research Fellow in Gravitational Wave Astronomy and Compact Binary Source Modelling, Cardiff, UK 2.3. Post-doc in gravitational-wave astronomy, AEI Hannover, Germany 2.4. Associate Professor or Professor of Physics, at General Relativity Group, FaMAF, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba 2.5. PhD student position in gravitational-wave astronomy, AEI Hannover, Germany 2.6. PhD Fellowships in Physics at the University of Parma, Italy 3. News 3.1. Summer News of the Chalonge-de Vega School, Paris, France 3.2. The Physics of Extreme Gravity Stars: Using Binaries to probe the Violent Universe 3.3. New book: "Conformal Methods in General Relativity", by Juan A. Valiente Kroon 3.4. New textbook (in German): "Spezielle und allgemeine Relativitaetstheorie fuer Bachelorstudenten", by Reinhard Meinel ============================================== 1. Conferences ============================================== 1.1. Testing Gravity 2017, Vancouver, Canada --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2016/08/04/testing-gravity-2017/ Starting: 2017-01-25 to 2017-01-28 Location: Vancouver, Canada Additional Information: https://www.sfu.ca/physics/cosmology/TestingGravity2017/ Contact: testing-gravity-2017[AT]sfu.ca The registration is currently open for the 2nd Testing Gravity conference in Vancouver, January 26-28, 2017. The conference will provide an opportunity for experts on different ways of testing Gravity to meet and exchange their ideas. There will be a one-day school on Wed Jan 25 with lectures covering the key topics of the conference. Testing Gravity remains a topical theme because of the unexplained nature of dark matter and dark energy, and the long-standing failure to reconcile gravity with quantum physics. It is particularly relevant given the recent detection of gravity waves by LIGO. The conference will provide an opportunity for theorists, experimentalist and observers to discuss new ways of testing GR and some of the alternative gravity theories, taking advantage of improving technologies and new observational windows. Topics will include gravitational waves, pulsars, black holes; terrestrial tests, atomic interferometry, gravity on short distances; particle cosmology, dark matter; cosmological probes - CMB, 21 cm, redshift surveys, weak lensing; modified gravity theories; quantum gravity and emergent gravity. The school on Wed Jan 25 will feature four lectures providing background into main topics covered by the conference. The conference, Jan 26-28, will feature invited and contributed talks, and a poster session. For further information and to register please visit the conference website. Local information, such as suggested accommodation, will be posted soon. We are looking forward to seeing you in Vancouver. The Scientific Organizing Committee: Andrei Frolov, Makoto Fujiwara, Levon Pogosian, Maxim Pospelov, Dimitrios Psaltis, and Douglas Scott +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.2. Summer School "Between Geometry and Relativity", Vienna, Austria --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2016/08/08/summer-school-between-geometry... Starting: 2017-07-17 to 2017-07-21 Location: Vienna, Austria Additional Information: http://www.univie.ac.at/AGESI_2017/school/ Contact: piotr.chrusciel[AT]univie.ac.at Summer School: Between Geometry and Relativity The school is part of the special program "Geometry and Relativity" at the Erwin-Schroedinger-Institute (ESI) in Vienna. It is aimed at doctoral students and young researchers. Its goal is to present the latest developments in the field to younger colleagues and to researchers participating in the program and wishing to expand their research perspective. The school will also serve as a stepping stone for younger colleagues who wish to attend the conference. We plan 6 lecture series for a total of 21 hours of lectures. In addition to the lectures there will be three two-hour problem sessions on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to accompany the lecture series of Corvino, Galloway, Ringstroem, and Schoen. A ``reader" of lecture notes will be made available in due time. A prerequisite is some grounding in differential geometry and general relativity. Applications for participation can be submitted online. Applications received by April 15 will receive full consideration, with a first selection of participants by early May. Later applications might be considered depending upon the outcome of the first selection. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.3. 2016 Midwest Relativity Meeting, Waterloo, Canada --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=12136 Starting: 2016-10-13 to 2016-10-15 Location: Waterloo, Canada Additional Information: http://perimeterinstitute.ca/conferences/2016-midwest-relativity-meeting Contact: llehner[AT]perimeterinstitute.ca The 26th Midwest Relativity Meeting aims to bring together researchers from across the Midwest and beyond to discuss General Relativity and a broad range of topics in gravitational physics, including classical and quantum gravity, numerical relativity, relativistic astrophysics, cosmology, gravitational waves, and experimental gravity. Participants may present talks of approximately 10-15 minutes each. We encourage submissions of observational and theoretical talks; all participants, especially postdocs and graduate students, are invited to contribute talks on their current research. [The meeting will start the afternoon of the 13th, and have full days on the 14th and 15th of October, 2016] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.4. Quantum Gravity in the Southern Cone VII, Punta del Este, Uruguay --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2016/08/18/quantum-gravity-in-the-souther... Starting: 2017-03-30 to 2017-04-01 Location: Punta del Este, Uruguay Additional Information: http://qgscvii.fisica.edu.uy Contact: qgscvii[AT]fisica.edu.uy FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT The seventh edition of the Quantum Gravity in the Southern Cone workshop, first held in 1996, will take place March 30th-April 1st in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The purpose of the meeting is to bring together world specialists on quantum gravity, geometry and field theory with scientists and students from the southern region of Latin America. There will be a series of invited lectures and a few short communications and posters by the participants, with ample time for discussions. A preliminary list of speakers includes Invited speakers: Ivan Agullo, Louisiana State University Abhay Ashtekar, Penn State Nathan Berkovits, ICTP-SAIFR Eugenio Bianchi, Penn State Daniel Harlow, Harvard University Alok Laddha, Chennai Mathematical Institute Juan Maldacena, Institute for Advanced Study Carmen Nunez, University of Buenos Aires Javier Olmedo, Louisiana State University Alejandro Perez, Universite Aix-Marseille Achilleas Porfyriadis, Harvard University Rafael Porto, ICTP-SAIFR Victor Rivelles, University of Sao Paulo Andrew Strominger, Harvard University Pedro Vieira, ICTP-SAIFR Matias Zaldarriaga, Institute for Advanced Study Jorge Zanelli, CECS International Organizing Committee: Rodolfo Gambini (Montevideo), Carmen Nunez (Buenos Aires), Jorge Pullin (Louisiana State), Victor Rivelles (Sao Paulo), Jorge Zanelli (Valdivia). Local organizers: Rodolfo Gambini (Chair), N. Barrios, F. Benitez, M. Campiglia, R. Eyheralde, E. Mato, R. Porto, M. Reisenberger, S. Torterolo. The conference will take place at the Jean Clevers Hotel http://www.jeanclevers.com The meeting is sponsored by the University of the Republic (Uruguay), ANII (Uruguay), The National Science Foundation (USA), Hearne Institute (USA), SAIFR-ICTP (Brazil). A second circular and call for contributed abstracts and registration will be coming out soon. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.5. Modern Developments in General Relativity and their Historical Roots, Kings College London, UK --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=12150 Starting: 2017-01-10 to 2017-01-12 Location: Kings College London, UK Additional Information: http://grkcl.org/ Contact: george.papadopoulos[AT]kcl.ac.uk Speakers: Glenn Barnich (Universite' Libre de Bruxelles) Pierre Binetruy (Universite' Paris Diderot) Piotr Chrusciel (University of Vienna) Mihalis Dafermos (University of Cambridge) Thibault Damour (IHES, Paris) Stephen Fairhurst (Cardiff University) Larry Ford (Tufts University) Stefan Hollands (University of Leipzig) Daniel Kennefick (University of Arkansas) Viatcheslav Mukhanov (LMU Munich) Roger Penrose (University of Oxford) Harvey Reall (University of Cambridge) David Robinson (King's College London) Description: The conference will give an account of modern developments in general relativity and in particular, there will be lectures on -the recent discovery of gravitational waves at LIGO, the status of such future experiments and the theoretical calculation that underpin such effects, -the roles of asymptotic symmetries in general relativity, such as the Bondi-Metzner-Sachs (BMS) group, and its applications that include the progress made towards understanding the information paradox for black holes, -the status of the uniqueness theorems in four and higher dimensions, and the investigation of the classical stability of black holes, -the quantum fluctuations in the early universe and their role in structure formation. As is very well known, general relativity was discovered by Einstein in 1915. However, apart from some important early developments, such as Einstein's work on gravitational waves, the discovery of the Schwarzschild black hole and the cosmological models, it went through a very long dormant period which ended around the mid 1950's. There was a lack of understanding of what were the observables in such a theory, and this even led to the widespread impression that it was not really a physically predictive theory at all. The modern very active subject that general relativity has become, can be traced back to the work of a small number of researchers and institutions. One of the most important centres was the general relativity group in the Department of Mathematics at King's College London, created by Bondi. Members of this group initiated many of the main themes of this conference, including Pirani's work on gravitational waves, which provides the theoretical foundation of the LIGO experiment, Bondi and Sachs's investigation of symmetries of asymptotically flat spacetimes, known as the BMS group, the formulation of Penrose diagrams, Robinson's work on the uniqueness theorem of black holes, and the study by Davies, Ford and others of quantum effects in curved spacetimes. The conference will also feature a number of talks to recall this period of research at King's. Organizers: George Papadopoulos and Peter West +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.6. The 26th Japanese workshop on General Relativity and Gravitation, Osaka, Japan --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2016/08/23/the-26th-japanese-workshop-on-... Starting: 2016-10-24 to 2016-10-28 Location: Osaka City, Japan Additional Information: http://www.gw.hep.osaka-cu.ac.jp/jgrg26/ Contact: jgrg26[AT]gwv.hep.osaka-cu.ac.jp This is the 2nd circular of the 26th Japanese workshop on General Relativity and Gravitation (JGRG26). 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. Dates October 24 (Mon) - 28 (Fri), 2016 Venue Large Conference Room (10F), Media Center, Sugimoto Campus of Osaka City University Registration Registration opening day: 11 July 2016 Registration deadline : 18 August 2016 for participants who need visa; 23 September 2016 for other participants. Please visit Website: http://www.gw.hep.osaka-cu.ac.jp/jgrg26/ The invited speakers: Chris Van Den Broeck (Nikhef, Netherlands) Rong-Gen Cai (ITP, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China) Matthew W. Choptuik (University of British Columbia, Canada) Hideki Ishihara (Osaka City University, Japan) Nobuyuki Kanda (Osaka City University, Japan) David Langlois (Laboratoire APC, France) Anupam Mazumdar (Consortium for Fundamental Physics, UK) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.7. GW161212: The Universe through gravitational waves, New York, USA --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2016/08/29/august-26-2016-comments-off-on... Starting: 2016-12-12 to 2016-12-15 Location: Simons Center, New York Additional Information: http://scgp.stonybrook.edu/archives/19820 Contact: jrodgers[AT]scgp.stonybrook.edu The recent but historical detection of gravitational waves by LIGO marks the dawn of the era of gravitational-wave astronomy. What were the ingredients and demands for detection? What have we learned, and what can we learn from this and future observations? This workshop will address these issues, by bringing together experts in different fields, from data-analysis to numerical relativity and theorists. Gravitational-wave science is now a truly interdisciplinary topic. Typical searches for gravitational waves require accurate templates for the signal, which in turn require state-of-the-art numerical and analytical modelling. Understanding how these searches and modelling are done is essential for an understanding of the limits of the searches, and what one can infer from them. The first direct detection of gravitational waves is also, most likely, the first direct observation of black holes in Nature, as well as a first observation of merging black holes. In addition, it marks the first astronomical measure of the mass and spin of black holes. The number of black hole binaries merging within the range of detectors is tied to the entire history of the universe itself. What have we learned from these first observations and how many sources do we expect for future detectors? At a fundamental level, gravitational waves carry information about an hitherto unknown territory: strong-field, dynamical gravity. This is a unique opportunity to learn about new physics. What is the evidence for the existence of event horizons and ergoregions? Are there new radiation channels that become important at strong gravitational potentials? This workshop will be a unique opportunity to discuss these issues in an informal setting, with ample time for discussions with some of the main actors in their fields. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.8. Models of Gravity - Black Holes, Neutron Stars, and the Structure of Space-time, Oldenburg, Germany --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=12179 Starting: 2016-10-04 to 2016-10-07 Location: Oldenburg, Germany Additional Information: http://www.models-of-gravity.org/news-announcements/single-view/article/04-0... Contact: jutta.kunz[AT]uni-oldenburg.de It is our pleasure to announce the conference on Models of Gravity - Black Holes, Neutron Stars, and the Structure of Space-time at the University of Oldenburg, Oct. 4-7, 2016 You are very welcome to participate. This conference brings together leading experts in the field of black hole research covering observational as well as the theoretical aspects of the phenomenon. The following keynote speakers have confirmed their participation and talk: S. Yazadjiev, A. Wojnar, E. Winstanley, H. Verlinde, A. Trova, C. Rovelli, V. Perlick, P. Nedkova, M. Moscibrodzka, A. Lobanov, B. Krishnan, C. Kiefer, C. Gruber, S. Gillessen, S. Giddings, V. Frolov, I. Fernini, C. Fendt, A. Eckart, G. Dvali, D. Doneva, J. Dexter, V. Cardoso, X. Calmet, H. Benaoum, A. Aliev With best regards and on behalf of the SOC, Silke Britzen, Jutta Kunz and Claus Laemmerzahl +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ============================================== 2. Jobs ============================================== 2.1. Postdoctoral position in Gravitational Wave Astronomy, Rhodes University, South Africa ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2016/08/02/postdoctoral-position-in-gravi... Deadline: 2016-09-16 Location: Rhodes University, South Africa Additional Information: https://www.ru.ac.za/mathematics/ Contact: n.bishop[AT]ru.ac.za Location: Rhodes University, South Africa Deadline: 16 September 2016 Salary: Up to R220 000 per year (tax-free) Tenure: 1 + 1 year (Extension to a second year is subject to performance and availability of funds) Starting date: 1 January 2017 The appointment is for a maximum of two years with a starting date of 1 January 2017. The focus of the gravitational wave group at Rhodes University is numerical relativity applied to binary black hole systems. We are interested to expand this focus, so we will also be happy to consider applicants from associated areas of gravitational wave astronomy. The group currently comprises two faculty members, one postdoc and research students. The faculty members involved in gravitational wave research are Nigel Bishop and Denis Pollney. Their research profiles can be viewed at https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?user=m8CpFJkAAAAJ&hl=en and at https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?user=lOK_rucAAAAJ&hl=en Please apply via e-mail attaching a single PDF file that contains a letter of application, and a CV with a list of publications and a statement of accomplished research. The application should include the date of award of the PhD degree; and if not yet formally awarded, please explain your current status and the expected date of formal award of the degree. Please also arrange for 2 letters of recommendation to be sent in support of the application. All these items should be emailed to n.bishop[at]ru.ac.za with subject “Postdoc Application – Candidate name”. To receive full consideration, applications should be received by 16 September 2016. Late applications will be considered at our discretion. Informal inquires may be directed to Nigel Bishop, n.bishop[AT]ru.ac.za +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.2. Research Fellow in Gravitational Wave Astronomy and Compact Binary Source Modelling, Cardiff, UK ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=12134 Deadline: 2016-09-14 Location: Cardiff, UK Additional Information: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/jobs Contact: mark.hannam[AT]astro.cf.ac.uk Cardiff Gravitational Physics (http://www.astro.cardiff.ac.uk/research/gravity/) is seeking applications to fill the position of Research Fellow. This is a four-year European Research Council (ERC) funded position at the Research Fellow (Grade 7) level. The emphasis of the post will be on modelling of compact-binary systems using a combination of numerical simulations and analytic methods, and developing algorithms for the detection and study of gravitational-wave signals from compact binary mergers in data from Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and Advanced Virgo. Other group members play leading roles in the search for signals from gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and the coalescence of neutron star and black hole binaries; and to model astrophysical sources of gravitational waves using analytical and numerical relativity and develop search algorithms for their detection and interpretation with current and future detectors. The group is a founding member of GEO600, a member of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and has played a leading role in these collaborations from their inception through to the recent first direct detection of gravitational waves, and is also active in planning and development of future detectors, such as LIGO-India, Einstein Telescope and Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). The position is available from 1st November 2016, but the precise starting date is negotiable. The position is full-time and fixed term until 30 September 2020. Salary: GBP 40,082 - GBP 46,414 per annum (Grade 7) Closing date: Wednesday, 14 September 2016 Informal enquiries can be made to Prof. Mark Hannam by email at mark.hannam[AT]astro.cf.ac.uk. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.3. Post-doc in gravitational-wave astronomy, AEI Hannover, Germany ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2016/08/12/post-doc-in-gravitational-wave... Deadline: 2016-09-15 Location: Hannover, Germany Additional Information: http://www.aei.mpg.de/1919706/post-doc-mprg-hannover Contact: frank.ohme[AT]ligo.org The Albert Einstein Institute in Hannover is offering a position for a post-doctoral researcher in the newly formed independent research group led by Frank Ohme. The research focus is on the interpretation of gravitational-wave observations made by the Advanced LIGO+Virgo network with the help of Bayesian parameter estimation techniques and numerical simulations of colliding binaries. The start date is negotiable, but can be as early as 1st January 2017. The Initial appointment will be for 2 years, with potential to extend to a maximum of 5 years. We are part of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration. The independent research group will use large scale numerical simulations of colliding black hole (and/or neutron star) binaries to interpret experimental data from gravitational-wave detectors and extract the source properties of binary observations. Other research pursued at the Albert Einstein Institute include analysis algorithms for a variety of gravitational-wave sources, analytical and numerical signal modelling, tests of General Relativity, as well as gravitational-wave detector improvements. We are looking for a highly motivated post-doctoral scientist to work in our newly established independent research group. You should have a PhD in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science or related fields, with experience in one or more of the following research areas: Gravitational-wave data analysis, gravitational-wave theory, numerical simulations of black hole or neutron star binaries, Bayesian parameter estimation methods, astrophysics of binary formation and merger, signal processing and signal reduction. For more information, please see http://www.aei.mpg.de/1919706/post-doc-mprg-hannover. For informal enquiries, contact frank.ohme[AT]ligo.org. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.4. Associate Professor or Professor of Physics, at General Relativity Group, FaMAF, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=12145 Deadline: 2016-10-28 Location: Cordoba, Argentina Additional Information: http://www2.famaf.unc.edu.ar/grupos/grg/ Contact: gdotti[AT]famaf.unc.edu.ar Additional Information: http://www.famaf.unc.edu.ar/ Person of Contact: Dr. Gustavo Dotti (gdotti[AT]famaf.unc.edu.ar) The General Relativity Group at FaMAF-UNC, Cordoba, Argentina, announces an opening for a researcher-Professor position. The Universidad Nacional de Cordoba (UNC) is one of the Latin America leading research-focused universities. With over 100,000 students, and 8800 Professors, it is among the largest of the Universities in South America. The different Faculties of the UNC cover a wide range of subjects of the human knowledge. The Facultad de Matematica Astronomia Fisica y Computacion (FaMAF) has strong research groups across the spectrum of areas within Pure and Applied Mathematics, Theoretical and Experimental Physics, Astronomy, Astrophysics and Computer Science. FaMAF also has well elaborated graduate and doctoral programs. About the role We are announcing the opening for a position within the General Relativity Group at FaMAF. We are seeking to appoint in an area of general relativity with applications to present worldwide topics of interest. The successful candidate will have an excellent research profile and will be expected to contribute to the development of a research project in the General Relativity Group at FaMAF. The successful candidate will also have the ability and flexibility to teach across a range of topics related to Physics at the undergraduate and graduate levels; excellent organizational and leadership skills; ability to work well with students, faculty, and administrators. About the mechanism During November of 2016, there will be a preliminary selection of interested researchers that will enter the standard procedure of FaMAF to incorporate new Professors. During the first months of 2017, there will be a formal selection and the successful candidate is expected to join the Faculty as early as the 1st of April 2017. Pay and Benefits Interested researchers are also expected to apply to a position at Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas (CONICET); which pays the difference between the University salary and CONICET one. This agency also supply grants for researchers. The level of the position at FaMAF and at CONICET are naturally dependent on the curriculum of the candidate. Both positions provide health-care programs. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in Argentina in accordance with the current Immigration laws. Inquiries may be made to Dr. Gustavo Dotti (gdotti[AT]famaf.unc.edu.ar). Please ensure you send a letter stating your interest in the position to Dr. Osvaldo Moreschi (moreschi[AT]fis.uncor.edu), FaMAF-IFEG, Ciudad Universitaria, Cordoba, Argentina; and include with your letter a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a teaching statement and a research statement. Interested researchers should arrange for at least three letters ofrecommendation to be emailed to Prof. Osvaldo Moreschi at (moreschi[AT]fis.uncor.edu) or mailed to: FaMAF-IFEG, Ciudad Universitaria, (5000) Cordoba, Argentina Initial review of applications will begin October 31, 2016. The closing date for sending your interest in the position is Friday 28 of October, 2016 Please visit http://www.famaf.unc.edu.ar/ for information about the Facultad and http://www2.famaf.unc.edu.ar/grupos/grg/ for information about the General Relativity Group at FaMAF. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.5. PhD student position in gravitational-wave astronomy, AEI Hannover, Germany ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2016/08/22/phd-student-position-in-gravit... Deadline: 2016-09-15 Location: Hannover, Germany Additional Information: http://www.aei.mpg.de/1922169/phd-student-position-in-gravitational-wave-ast... Contact: frank.ohme[AT]ligo.org The Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute) in Hannover is offering a position for a PhD student in the newly formed independent research group led by Frank Ohme. The research focus is on the interpretation of gravitational-wave observations made by the Advanced LIGO+Virgo network with the help of Bayesian parameter estimation techniques and numerical simulations of colliding binaries. The start date is negotiable, but can be as early as 1st January 2017. We offer a Max Planck funding contract for 3 years, with potential extension of further 6 months. We are part of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration. The independent research group will use large scale numerical simulations of colliding black hole (and/or neutron star) binaries to interpret experimental data from gravitational-wave detectors and extract the source properties of binary observations. Other research pursued at the Albert Einstein Institute include analysis algorithms for a variety of gravitational-wave sources, analytical and numerical signal modelling, tests of General Relativity, as well as gravitational-wave detector improvements. We are looking for a highly motivated student to work in our newly established independent research group. You should have a University degree in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science or related fields, with interest in one or more of the following research areas: Gravitational-wave data analysis, gravitational-wave theory, numerical simulations of black hole or neutron star binaries, Bayesian parameter estimation methods, astrophysics of binary formation and merger, signal processing and signal reduction. For more information, please see http://www.aei.mpg.de/1922169/phd-student-position-in-gravitational-wave-ast.... For informal enquiries, contact frank.ohme[AT]ligo.org. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.6. PhD Fellowships in Physics at the University of Parma, Italy ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2016/08/26/phd-fellowships-in-physics-at-... Deadline: 2016-09-05 Location: Parma, Italy Additional Information: http://www.difest.unipr.it/it/notizie/calls-phd-positions-physics-and-earth-... Contact: cristiano.viappiani[AT]unipr.it The Department of Physics and Earth Sciences [1] at the University of Parma [2] invites applications for its Ph.D. program. The fellowships start November 1st 2016 and have a duration of 3 years. The PhD program covers several scientific areas, including Gravitational physics, Numerical Relativity and Gravitational Waves. The specific research topics of this call are 1. Perturbative and non-perturbative physics in quantum field theory: theoretical and computational features 2. Quantum Control and Quantum Simulation 3. Molecular technologies for multi-phase complex systems 4. Development and characterization of novel semiconducting oxides 5. Nanostructured materials for photocatalytic or optical applications 6. Biophysical studies on bacterial photoreceptors of agronomic and biotechnological relevance 7. High orders in Numerical Stochastic Perturbation Theory: renormalons and study of quasi conformal windows 8. Metal surface fabrication with ultrashort laser pulses 9. Modeling gravitational waves from compact binary mergers 10. New active materials for ion batteries and supercapacitors based on carbon nanostructures 11. Development of photosensitizing proteins for superresolution microscopy 12. Experimental study of non-equilibrium transformations in cooking processes and definition of statistical models The application deadline is September 5th 2016. The selection will be based on the curriculum of the candidate and on an interview. In the application the candidate must choose and specify only one research topic. Details on the call and instructions on the on-line application can be found at: http://www.difest.unipr.it/it/notizie/calls-phd-positions-physics-and-earth-... Other links: [1] http://www.difest.unipr.it/en [2] http://en.unipr.it/ [3] http://www.difest.unipr.it/it/notizie/calls-phd-positions-physics-and-earth-... +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ============================================== 3. News ============================================== 3.1. Summer News of the Chalonge-de Vega School, Paris, France ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2016/08/08/summer-news-of-the-chalonge-de... Additional Information: http://chalonge.obspm.fr Summer News of the Chalonge - de Vega School 1. All presentations during the Chalonge - de Vega 20th Paris Cosmology Colloquium 2016 are available on line in pdf format in "Programme and Lecturers .pdf " here: http://chalonge.obspm.fr/Programme_Paris2016.html http://chalonge.obspm.fr/colloque2016.html Contents: Peter Biermann , Maria Cristina Falvella, Anastasia Fialkov, Gerard Gilmore, Mattew Greenhouse, Dmytro Iakubovskyi, Anthony Lasenby, Nicola Menci, Felix Mirabel, Sinziana Paduroiu, Paolo Salucci, Norma G. Sanchez, George F. Smoot, Benjamin Wandelt Casey Watson, Christian Weinheimer. The Album of Pictures of the Colloquium is available here: http://chalonge.obspm.fr/album2016/index.html http://chalonge.obspm.fr/colloque2016.html 2. The Hector J. DE VEGA MEDAL was presented and awarded. A Summary of the medal presentations is available here: http://chalonge.obspm.fr/HectordeVegaMedal.pdf 3. The HIGHLIGHTS and CONCLUSIONS of the Meudon Workshop 2016: Warm Dark Matter Astrophysics in Agreement with Observations and keV Sterile Neutrinos is available here: http://chalonge.obspm.fr/Highlights_and_Conclusions_CIAS2016.pdf On line presentations of the Meudon WDM Workshop http://chalonge.obspm.fr/Programme_CIAS2016.html http://chalonge.obspm.fr/Cias_Meudon2016.html 4. The full Programme 2016 and Sessions: http://chalonge.obspm.fr/Programme2016.html We thank all again, for having contributed so much to these meetings and we look forward to seeing you again in the next events of this series. With Compliments and kind regards http://chalonge.obspm.fr/HdeV.html Norma G. Sanchez and the Chalonge de Vega School Team http://chalonge.obspm.fr/. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 3.2. The Physics of Extreme Gravity Stars: Using Binaries to probe the Violent Universe ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=12151 Additional Information: http://agenda.albanova.se/conferenceDisplay.py?confId=4988 3.5 week workshop including conference Organisers: NISSANKE, Samaya (chair) FENDER, Rob KULKARNI, Shri OFEK, Eran DAVIES, Melvyn FYNBO, Johan ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 3.3. New book: "Conformal Methods in General Relativity", by Juan A. Valiente Kroon ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2016/08/26/new-book-conformal-methods-in-... Additional Information: http://www.cambridge.org/9781107033894 Author: Juan A. Valiente Kroon, Queen Mary University of London This book offers a systematic exposition of conformal methods and how they can be used to study the global properties of solutions to the equations of Einstein's theory of gravity. It shows that combining these ideas with differential geometry can elucidate the existence and stability of the basic solutions of the theory. Introducing the differential geometric, spinorial and PDE background required to gain a deep understanding of conformal methods, this text provides an accessible account of key results in mathematical relativity over the last thirty years, including the stability of de Sitter and Minkowski spacetimes. For graduate students and researchers, this self-contained account includes useful visual models to help the reader grasp abstract concepts and a list of further reading, making this the perfect reference companion on the topic. Length: 622 pages, contains 73 b/w illustrations. ISBN: 9781107033894 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 3.4. New textbook (in German): "Spezielle und allgemeine Relativitaetstheorie fuer Bachelorstudenten", by Reinhard Meinel ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=12177 Additional Information: http://www.springer.com/9783662498552 A new textbook published by Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Its first two parts give an elementary introduction to special and general relativity. The third part ("Ergaenzungen fuer Fortgeschrittene") deals with mathematical methods that can be used, for example, to solve the black hole boundary value problem of the stationary and axially symmetric Einstein-Maxwell equations leading to the Kerr-Newman solution in a unique and straightforward manner. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++