########################################## Table of Contents ########################################### 1. Conferences 1.1. LCDM and Beyond: Cosmology Tools in Theory and in Practice 1.2. Physics and Astrophysics at the eXtreme (PAX), Amsterdam, The Netherlands 1.3. European Einstein Toolkit Workshop 2017, Mallorca, Spain 1.4. Symposium in Honor of Edward Seidel’s 60th Birthday, Mallorca, Spain 1.5. Fifth International Conference on the Nature and Ontology of Spacetime, Albena, Bulgaria 1.6. Chrusciel-Fest: A panorama of GR, Vienna, Austria 1.7. Black Holes: From Classical to Quantum Gravity, Gandhinagar, India 2. Jobs 2.1. PhD position in Gravity and Black Holes at University of Barcelona, Spain 2.2. Postdoc for LISA science at APC, Paris, France 2.3. Postdoctoral Position in Gravitational Wave Astronomy at the University of Mississippi, USA 2.4. ESA Research Fellowships in Space Science 2.5. Research Fellowship in Fundamental Physics – Quantum Metrology, Noordwijk, The Netherlands 2.6. Postdoctoral position in LISA data analysis and simulation, Edinburgh, UK 2.7. Postdoctoral Researcher/Assistant Professor in astrophysical transients, Ajdovscina, Slovenia 3. News 3.1. Request for references on use of computer algebra ============================================== 1. Conferences ============================================== 1.1. LCDM and Beyond: Cosmology Tools in Theory and in Practice --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2017/06/02/cdm-and-beyond-cosmology-tools... Starting: 2017-09-04 to 2017-09-15 Location: Corfu, Greece Additional Information: http://www.cost.eu/COST_Actions/ca/CA15117 Contact: marco.bruni[AT]port.ac.uk We are delighted to announce the first CANTATA summer school, LCDM and Beyond: Cosmology Tools in Theory and in Practice, to be held in Corfu (Greece) between the 4/09/2017 (arrival and registration date) and 15/09/2017 (departure). The school is organised within the framework of our CANTATA COST-Action network, CA15117, http://www.cost.eu/COST_Actions/ca/CA15117 The school will have a strong hands-on component, with practical training on the CAMB and CLASS CMB codes and their modifications to consider Dark Energy and Modified Gravity models, EFTCAMB and HICLASS, as well as on Monte Carlo methods and codes used for testing cosmological models. Theoretical support will be provided by six sets of of lectures, for a total of forty hours over the eight days of the school (lecturers names in brackets): History of the Universe: the physics of the FLRW background (Jens Chluba, University of Manchester, UK) Cosmological perturbation theory and the CMB (Ingunn Kathrine Wehus, University of Oslo, Norway) Dark Energy and Modified Gravity (Martin Kunz, University of Geneva, Switzerland) Observational probes (Carmelita Carbone, INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera and University of Milan, Italy) Statistics and model selection in cosmology (Signe Riemer-Sorensen, University of Oslo, Norway) Nonlinearity in cosmology (Kazuya Koyama, University of Portsmouth, UK) The introductory topics 1. and 2. will be covered in the first two days, with the other courses running over the following six mornings. Afternoons from the third day will be dedicated to: * a workshop on CAMB and EFTCAMB, Trainer Matteo Martinelli (University of Leiden, The Netherlands) on three afternoons; * a workshop on CLASS and HICLASS, Trainer Thomas Tram (AARHUS University, Denmark) on three afternoons. Additional training activities will be organised in the evenings and over the week-end. Support for the various activities will be provided by Marco Bruni (University of Portsmouth, UK), David F. Mota (University of Oslo, Norway) and Miguel Zumalacarregui (NORDITA, Sweden) The CANTATA EU COST-Action aims to be inclusive, especially of less represented minorities and students from Inclusiveness Target Countries. To this end we shall provide financial support, in the form of a partial reimbursement of expenses, to eligible participants. Due to the strong practical component of the school, participation will be limited to about forty students. We therefore strongly encourage anyone interested to apply as soon as possible. The deadline for application is the 9th of June 2017. Details on the program and venue, and the application form, are available on the web-site: http://www.physics.ntua.gr/corfu2017/lc.html On behalf of the Organising Committee, Marco Bruni (CANTATA Training Coordinator) and Ruth Lazkoz (CANTATA Chair) Scientific Organising Committee (CANTATA Core) Marco Bruni (University of Portsmouth, UK) Alessandra Silvestri (University of Leiden, The Netherlands) David F. Mota (University of Oslo, Norway) Prado Martin Moruno (Complutense University of Madrid, Spain) Vincenzo Salzano (University of Szczecin, Poland) Ruth Lazkoz (University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain) Christian Boehmer (University College London, UK) Salvatore Capozziello (University of Naples "Federico II", Italy) Mariafelicia De Laurentis (Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany and Tomsk State Pedagogical University, Russian Federation) Jose Pedro Mimoso (University of Lisbon, Portugal) Paulo Vargas Moniz (Universidade da Beira Interior, Portugal) Valeria Pettorino (CEA Paris Saclay, France) Local Organising Committee Emmanuel Saridakis, Konstantinos Ntrekis, Ioannis Dalianis (National Technical University of Athens, Greece) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.2. Physics and Astrophysics at the eXtreme (PAX), Amsterdam, The Netherlands --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=13085 Starting: 2017-08-14 to 2017-08-17 Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands Additional Information: http://indico.nikhef.nl/event/PAX_Amsterdam Contact: vdbroeck[AT]nikhef.nl The ability to directly observe gravitational waves will open up unprecedented scientific opportunities at the interface of astronomy, astrophysics, fundamental physics, and cosmology. Gravitational and classical astronomy will together observe highly energetic and transient phenomena in the Universe. The goal of the workshop is twofold: (1) to explore how upcoming observations of such processes can help us understand physics at the extreme - strong gravitational fields as well as ultra-high densities, temperatures and magnetic fields - and (2) to discuss the ultimate science goals for this emerging, synergistic field, and what future detectors and telescopes will be needed to make a step change in the scientific questions we can address. The workshop will consist of panel discussions, each of them organized around short presentations to identify important areas of research and to foster new collaborations. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.3. European Einstein Toolkit Workshop 2017, Mallorca, Spain --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2017/06/19/european-einstein-toolkit-work... Starting: 2017-10-11 to 2017-10-14 Location: Mallorca, Spain Additional Information: http://grg.uib.es/EinsteinToolkit2017/ Contact: eueinsteintoolkit2017[AT]gmail.com The 2017 European Einstein Toolkit Workshop in Mallorca will provide an opportunity for researchers and students interested in numerical relativity to learn about the Einstein toolkit and discuss about its current and future development. The Einstein Toolkit is a publicly-available framework used by many research groups in the world, with applications ranging from high-energy astrophysics to cosmology. The first three days will be dedicated to presentations and discussions concerning the development and applications of the Einstein Toolkit and will be open to developers and anyone interested in numerical relativity, numerical (magneto-)hydrodynamics, cosmology, gravitational wave data analysis and related fields. The workshop will present recent developments and allow for discussions about future directions of code development and applications. Friday evening and Saturday will be devoted to a special event – “Black Holes, Red Square, and Blue Waters: A Symposium in Honor of Edward Seidel’s 60th Birthday (EdFest)”. Both the workshop and the symposium will take place at the Club Pollentia Resort near Alcudia in Mallorca. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.4. Symposium in Honor of Edward Seidel’s 60th Birthday, Mallorca, Spain --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2017/06/19/symposium-in-honor-of-edward-s... Starting: 2017-10-13 to 2017-10-14 Location: Mallorca, Spain Additional Information: http://grg.uib.es/EinsteinToolkit2017/ Contact: eueinsteintoolkit2017[AT]gmail.com Black Holes, Red Square, and Blue Waters: A Symposium in Honor of Edward Seidel’s 60th Birthday Edward Seidel, Founder Professor of Physics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation for the University of Illinois System, has a scientific career which has impacted general relativity, relativistic astrophysics, high performance computing, scientific computing, scientific data and policy, and institutional development. Recognizing his contributions across these disciplines and his role as a leader and mentor at the University of Illinois, Albert Einstein Institute, Louisiana State University, National Science Foundation and Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, and on the occasion of his 60th birthday, we invite you to a symposium that will reflect on past experiences and look forward to future trends in the areas Ed has spent his career to date advancing. The symposium will start with an evening reception on October 13th, with a day of invited talks on October 14th followed by an evening event. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.5. Fifth International Conference on the Nature and Ontology of Spacetime, Albena, Bulgaria --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2017/06/23/fifth-international-conference... Starting: 2018-05-14 to 2018-05-17 Location: Albena, Bulgaria Additional Information: http://www.minkowskiinstitute.org/conferences/2018/ Contact: 2018conference[AT]minkowskiinstitute.org The main theme of the Fifth International Conference on the Nature and Ontology of Spacetime (organized by the Minkowski Institute, Montreal) will be the nature of spacetime - whether spacetime should be regarded just as a mathematical continuum modelling an evolving present, or spacetime represents a block universe or a growing block universe? Physicists are especially encouraged to attend because even relativists hold widely different views, e.g., that (i) spacetime is nothing more than a mathematical continuum (which is Poincare's view that prevented him from developing the mathematical formalism of spacetime physics) or (ii) the question of the reality of spacetime belongs to philosophy (which is hardly physics at its best because the question of the dimensionality of the world can be answered only by physics). Despite that the focus of the fifth spacetime conference will be on the main theme, the Scientific Organizing Committee invites papers from physicists and philosophers on any topics related to the nature and ontology of spacetime. In addition to talks and poster sessions, special 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 conference even if they do not plan to give a talk or present a poster. Contributed papers in the form of extended abstracts of up to two pages should be emailed by Wednesday, January 31, 2018 to 2018conference[AT]minkowskiinstitute.org. Submissions will be reviewed and notification of acceptance will be given by Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Scientific Organizing Committee: Dennis Dieks (Utrecht University) Mauro Dorato (University of Rome Three) George F. R. Ellis (University of Cape Town) Robert Geroch (University of Chicago) Eleanor Knox (King's College London) Vesselin Petkov (Minkowski Institute, Montreal) Steven Savitt (University of British Columbia) Anguel Stefanov (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) James Owen Weatherall (University of California, Irvine) Christian Wüthrich (University of Geneva) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.6. Chrusciel-Fest: A panorama of GR, Vienna, Austria --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2017/06/28/chrusciel-fest-a-panorama-of-g... Starting: 2017-08-17 to 2017-08-18 Location: Vienna, Austria Additional Information: http://www.esi.ac.at/activities/events/2017/piotr-fest Contact: tim-torben.paetz[AT]univie.ac.at This symposium is held to honor Piotr T. Chrusciel, Professor at the Faculty of Physics at Vienna University, on the occasion of his 60th birthday. It takes place on 17th and 18th of August at the Erwin Schroedinger International Institute for Mathematics and Physics (ESI) in Boltzmanngasse 5, 1090 Vienna. Speakers: Helmut Friedrich (AEI Golm) Greg Galloway (Miami) Jim Isenberg (Oregon) Vince Moncrief (Yale) Hans Ringstroem (Stockholm) Paul Tod (Oxford) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1.7. Black Holes: From Classical to Quantum Gravity, Gandhinagar, India --------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=13131 Starting: 2017-12-15 to 2017-12-19 Location: Gandhinagar, India Additional Information: http://events.iitgn.ac.in/2017/blackholes/index.php Contact: sudiptas[AT]iitgn.ac.in Black holes are one of the exotic predictions of general relativity: they are solutions of Einstein’s equations containing a boundary called the event horizon that separates spacetime into two causally disconnected regions. The first black hole solution in General Relativity was discovered by Karl Schwarzschild in Germany in 1916. Prof. C V. Vishveshwara, widely acknowledged as one of the pioneers of the Golden Age of General Relativity, was one of the first to analyse the structure of black holes employing spacetime symmetries. In 1970, he proved the stability of the non-rotating Schwarzschild black hole - a crucial and significant factor that ensures its continued existence after formation. Further, he discovered the quasi-normal modes of black holes, the unique characteristics of the event horizon, the boundary of the black holes. These modes of black hole vibrations are one of the primary targets of observation using the gravitational wave detectors. In February 2016, the detection of gravitational waves from a black hole merger by the LIGO Scientific Collaboration confirmed the existence of these modes. To celebrate achievements of this great relativist, a five-day workshop titled ``Black Holes: From Classical to Quantum Gravity’’ will be organised at IIT Gandhinagar from 15-19 December 2017. The workshop aims to bring leading experts working in various aspects of relativity theory to deliver lectures for PhD student and postdocs. In particular, the academic program of this workshop will focus on contemporary topics in black hole physics, both theoretical and observational. We are thankful to Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune for providing main financial assistance for the workshop. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ============================================== 2. Jobs ============================================== 2.1. PhD position in Gravity and Black Holes at University of Barcelona, Spain ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2017/06/02/phd-position-in-gravity-and-bl... Deadline: 2017-06-30 Location: Barcelona, Spain Additional Information: http://icc.ub.edu/job/57 Contact: emparan[AT]ub.edu One PhD studentship is open at the Institute of Cosmos Sciences at University of Barcelona (ICCUB). It is funded by the ERC Advanced Grant of Prof Roberto Emparan “A New Strategy for Gravity and Black Holes” (ERC2015AdG 692951 GravBHs). The successful applicant will work directly with Prof Emparan on novel theoretical approaches to black hole physics and gravity. They will be members of a very active group doing research on many areas of gravitational theory, string theory and cosmology. Candidates must hold an MSc or equivalent in a field that is closely related to theoretical physics, with excellent performance in General Relativity. The start date is expected to be October 2017. The position will be funded for up to 4 years, and includes travel money. Applications must be made online at the link below, and will contain a CV +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.2. Postdoc for LISA science at APC, Paris, France ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2017/06/16/post-doc-lisa-science-at-apc/ Deadline: 2017-09-01 Location: Paris, France Additional Information: http://www.apc.univ-paris7.fr/APC_CS/en/post-doctoral-position-gravitational... Contact: stanislav.babak[AT]apc.in2p3.fr Post-doctoral position in Gravitational Wave Astronomy with LISA at AstroParticule & Cosmology (APC) The Gravitation group at AstroParticule & Cosmologie APC welcomes applications for a post-doctoral position in the area of the gravitational wave astronomy. The post-doctoral position is for 2 years. The successful applicant is expected to work on the subjects related to the LISA mission. This includes the study of the astrophysical population of the anticipated LISA sources, modelling gravitational wave signals and development of the data analysis techniques. To apply for this position, please send CV (curriculum vitae), list of publications and the research statement to stanislav.babak[AT]apc.in2p3.fr . Please arrange three recommendation letters to be sent to the same address with the name of the applicant in the subject. The deadline for applications is September 1, 2017. Later applications will be considered as well until the position is filled. For more information please visit: http://www.apc.univ-paris7.fr/APC_CS/en/post-doctoral-position-gravitational... +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.3. Postdoctoral Position in Gravitational Wave Astronomy at the University of Mississippi, USA ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2017/06/17/postdoctoral-position-in-gravi... Deadline: 2018-02-01 Location: Oxford, MS (USA) Additional Information: http://www.phy.olemiss.edu/GR/?x=entry:entry170618-044817 Contact: grpostdoc[AT]phy.olemiss.edu The University of Mississippi invites applications for a postdoctoral position in the area of Gravitational Wave Astronomy. The position is for one year, renewable for up to three years. The applicant must have (or be close to completing) a Ph.D. in Physics or Astrophysics, with a good track record in one or more of the following research areas: gravitational-wave source modeling and parameter estimation, the astrophysics of compact binaries, Bayesian model selection, black hole perturbation theory, post-Newtonian theory, numerical relativity and modified gravity. The Gravitational and High-Energy Theory Group at the University of Mississippi is active in various areas of theoretical and experimental gravity, and is part of the LIGO collaboration. Permanent faculty in the group include Emanuele Berti, Luca Bombelli, Marco Cavaglia and Katherine Dooley, as well as postdocs and several graduate students. More information on the gravity group in Mississippi is available at the following URL: http://www.phy.olemiss.edu/GR/ The postdoctoral scholar funded by this position will work with Professor Emanuele Berti (http://www.phy.olemiss.edu/~berti/) and several Ph.D. students. The research will be carried out in close collaboration with the group led by Bangalore Sathyaprakash, Elsbach Professor of Physics and Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Penn State University. The successful applicant is expected to engage in a collaborative research program including several institutions (Lisbon, Cambridge, Rome, Paris and Aveiro in Europe, Perimeter Institute in Canada, and Osaka University in Japan) through the "Strong Gravity and High Energy Physics" Marie Sklodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) Action, funded by the EU Horizon 2020 program H2020-MSCA-RISE-2015. A curriculum vitae (including a list of publications and a statement of research interests) should be sent to the following e-mail address: grpostdoc[AT]phy.olemiss.edu Please use the subject "Gravitational wave postdoc". Applicants must also arrange to have at least three recommendation letters to be sent to the same email address. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible. The position will be open until filled. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.4. ESA Research Fellowships in Space Science ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=13104 Deadline: 2017-10-02 Location: Noorwijk, NL; and Madrid, ES Additional Information: http://cosmos.esa.int/fellowship Contact: fellowship[AT]cosmos.esa.int The European Space Agency awards several postdoctoral fellowships each year. The aim of these fellowships is to provide young scientists, holding a PhD or the equivalent degree, with the means of performing space science research in fields related to the ESA Science Programmes. Areas of research include planetary science, astronomy and astrophysics, solar and solar-terrestrial science, plasma physics and fundamental physics. The fellowships have a duration of two years, with the possible extension to three years, and are tenable at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, Netherlands, or at the European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) in Villafranca del Castillo, near Madrid, Spain. Applications are now solicited for fellowships in space science to begin in the fall of 2018. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their PhD. Candidates not holding a PhD yet are encouraged to apply, but they must provide evidence of receiving their degree before starting the fellowship. ESA fellows are enrolled in ESA's Social Security Scheme, which covers medical expenses. A monthly deduction covers these short-term and long-term risks. The deadline for applications is 2 October 2017. More information on the ESA Research Fellowship programme in Space Science, on the conditions and eligibility, as well as the application form can retrieved from http://cosmos.esa.int/fellowship Questions on the scientific aspects of the ESA Fellowship in Space Science not answered in the above pages can be sent by e-mail to the fellowship coordinators, Dr. Oliver Jennrich or Dr. Bruno Altieri at the address fellowship[AT]cosmos.esa.int +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.5. Research Fellowship in Fundamental Physics – Quantum Metrology, Noordwijk, The Netherlands ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=13109 Deadline: 2017-07-06 Location: Noordwijk, The Netherlands Additional Information: http://www.esa.int/gsp/ACT/opportunities/open_rf.html Contact: act[AT]esa.int The European Space Agency's Advanced Concepts Team (http://www.esa.int/act) is looking for a highly motivated young researcher in the field of Fundamental Physics. Duties and Tasks The successful candidate will carry out research in the field of fundamental physics, with a focus on quantum metrology. Areas of research are partly chosen by the successful candidate based on his/her own expert judgements and insight into trends and developments, partly chosen by the team as to follow strategic directions of the Agency. Scientifically she/he will in particular: - Propose and perform research in the field of theoretical quantum physics – including quantum information, optics and metrology – and the application of quantum effects to technology and material design as well as to other fields of physics e.g. relativistic quantum metrology, where appropriate together with universities of ESA Member States (in particular through the Ariadna programme); - Assess and investigate concepts and effects, either current or foreseen, derived from novel theoretical or experimental discoveries in physics for their potential application and use in space systems; - Follow and monitor the progress of research in areas of physics of interest to the team in order to derive and report strategic trends; - Critically assess ideas and concepts for space systems relying on methods or phenomena of the area of fundamental physics that are brought to the attention of the ACT. As ACT researcher, she/he will: - Publish results in peer-reviewed publications and use modern communication tools to communicate with the broader audience inside and outside ESA; - Lead and assist interdisciplinary projects with other ACT researchers; - Participate together with the team in the assessment of proposed space system concepts and propose new concepts and assessment studies; and - Perform and participate in assessments on subjects of strategic interest of ESA, provide inhouse expertise to strategy development. Who can apply - Required Qualifications The programme is open to suitably qualified women and men. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their PhD. The Research Fellow Programme is open to nationals of the following states: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK, Slovenia as an Associate Member or Canada as a Cooperating State, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia as European Cooperating States (ECS). Applicants must have obtained: - a degree in physics, mathematics or equivalent; - PhD (completed before take up of duty) in Physics, subject of the thesis being relevant to the description of the tasks outlined above. Additional Requirements: - ability for and interest in prospective interdisciplinary research; - aptitude to contextualise specialised areas of research and quickly assess their potential with respect to other domains and applications; - academic networking to add functioning links to universities and research institutes; - ability to work in a team, while being able to work individually regarding his/her own personal research plans and directions; - natural curiosity and a passion for new subjects and research areas; - good methodological and organisation skills; - applicants must be fluent in English and/or French, working languages of the Agency. A good proficiency in English is required. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.6. Postdoctoral position in LISA data analysis and simulation, Edinburgh, UK ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2017/06/22/postdoctoral-position-in-lisa-... Deadline: 2017-07-21 Location: Edinburgh, UK Additional Information: https://www.vacancies.ed.ac.uk/pls/corehrrecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.jobsp... Contact: j.gair[AT]ed.ac.uk Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in data analysis and simulation for the planned ESA space-based gravitational wave detector LISA. The post is available from 01 September 2017 for 24 months. The precise start date is flexible. The postholder will take an important and visible role in starting to develop the ground-segment infrastructure for LISA. The focus of the work will be on simulation of instrumental noise sources, in particular arising from the optical system, and on understanding and mitigating the impact of noise sources on science output. The research is funded by a grant from the UK Space Agency and involves direct interaction with the PI (Jonathan Gair) and collaboration with researchers working on the development of the LISA optical bench at Glasgow University and in STFC’s Advanced Technology Centre in Edinburgh. The postholder will also work closely with scientists in Birmingham, Paris and Hanover, to begin development of the LISA data processing architecture. The specific tasks of the post-holder include: simulation of the LISA instrument, design and testing of statistical techniques for LISA data analysis that allow for imperfectly modelled noise and understanding the impact of noise sources on the extraction of scientific information from the data. The applicant should have a PhD in an area of mathematics (e.g. statistics or mathematical physics), or a related area such as physics, engineering or computer science. It is highly desirable for the candidate to have expertise in one of the following areas: advanced statistical techniques, numerical simulation of experimental apparatus or modelling or experiment of optical measurement systems. Basic knowledge of statistical methods and some experience writing software are desirable for all candidates. The starting salary will be in the range of GBP 32,004 – 38,183, depending on experience. Applicants will need to submit a CV, a research statement, and arrange for 2 letters of reference to be sent to hr[AT]maths.ed.ac.uk. The closing date for receipt of applications, including reference letters, is 21 July 2017. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.7. Postdoctoral Researcher/Assistant Professor in astrophysical transients, Ajdovscina, Slovenia ------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/?p=13128 Deadline: 2017-07-31 Location: Ajdovscina, Slovenia Additional Information: http://www.ung.si/en/news/1827/postdoctoral-researcher-assistant-professor-i... Contact: andreja.gomboc[AT]ung.si The Centre for Astrophysics and Cosmology (CAC) of the University of Nova Gorica invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher/Assistant Professor position in observational and/or computational astrophysics of transients. The CAC of the University of Nova Gorica is active in the research fields of astrophysics and astroparticle physics with focus on studies of high-energy transients (gamma-ray bursts, tidal disruption events), dark matter searches, ultra high-energy cosmic rays and gamma-ray data (more info at: http://www.ung.si/en/research/cac/). The CAC actively participates in several large international collaborations, including Gaia, Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, Fermi LAT, Cherenkov Telescope Array, and Pierre Auger Observatory. The CAC is benefiting also from the proximity of several institutions with strong expertise in high-energy astrophysics and/or astroparticle physics such as SISSA, ICTP, INFN and INAF in Trieste. Successful applicant is expected to collaborate with Prof. Dr. Andreja Gomboc in the study of gamma ray bursts and/or tidal disruption events and to become involved (if not already a member) in relevant international collaborations. The position may also include teaching duties in the fields of physics and astronomy at graduate and/or undergraduate level. Start date: as soon as possible in 2017. The position is for 1 year, with possibility of extension. The candidate must have a PhD degree. Interested candidates should send their CV, list of publications, and motivation letter with short summary of research interests to tea.stibilj[AT]ung.si, no later than July 31st, 2017 (an application sent by email should be a single file in pdf format). They should also arrange for three reference letters to be sent to the same address. Informal enquiries before application are very welcome (for research related questions please contact andreja.gomboc[AT]ung.si). As an equal opportunity employer the University of Nova Gorica encourages applications from proposers of all nationalities, underrepresented minorities, and especially those from women. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ============================================== 3. News ============================================== 3.1. Request for references on use of computer algebra ------------------------------------------------------------ Announcement on Hyperspace@GU: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de/2017/06/15/request-for-references-on-use-... Additional Information: http://hyperspace.uni-frankfurt.de I am preparing a review article on applications of computer algebra in gravity research. To list all papers where computer algebra was used would be impractical, but I would like my selected examples to include reasonably recent papers covering a wide area. So please send information on any unusual applications, or extensive uses in traditional applications. Email to m.a.h.maccallum[AT]qmul.ac.uk, please ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++