Professorship (W2) (tenure track) for time-domain astronomy and/or astrostatistics

LUDWIG-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITÄT MÜNCHEN

As one of Europe’s leading research universities, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) in Munich is committed to the highest international standards of excellence in research and teaching. Building on its more than 500-year-long tradition, it offers a broad spectrum that covers all areas of knowledge within its 18 Faculties, ranging from the humanities, law, economics and social sciences, to medicine and the natural sciences.

The Faculty of Physics invites applications for a

Professorship (W2) (tenure track)
for time-domain astronomy and/or astrostatistics

commencing as soon as possible.

The Faculty is looking for candidates at an early stage of their scientific career who will extend and complement the research profile of the University Observatory Munich. Potential particularly relevant areas of research include:

• Extragalactic time domain astronomy, using survey data and/or the Wendelstein Observatory operated by LMU, and other facilities, for follow-up observations,
• Astrostatistics, e.g. Bayesian data-driven modeling of astrophysical systems or cosmology, especially related to the analysis of large-scale structure in the present or early Universe,
• Combinations of the above, and any other experimental or data-driven research profile in astrophysics that creates new links between active research areas at LMU and other Munich astrophysical research institutes, especially in the areas of extragalactic astronomy and observational cosmology.

This W2 professorship is part of the newly founded chair for Astrophysics, Cosmology, and Artificial Intelligence (Prof. Daniel Gruen). The research focus of the chair is the use of large galaxy surveys (DES, DESI, LSST, Euclid) for cosmological and astrophysical insights. Current methodological priorities include cosmological uses of non-linear structure formation and the modeling and interpretation of observational data of galaxies and galaxy clusters, with a combination of analytical, empirical, and artificial intelligence techniques. Synergies with the expertise in cosmological structure formation and clusters of galaxies (Prof. Mohr, Prof. Weller), hydrodynamical simulations (Dr. Dolag), theoretical and experimental studies of young stars and planetary systems (Prof. Birnstiel, Prof. Ercolano, Prof. Heng, Prof. Preibisch), computational astrophysics (Prof. Burkert) and extragalactic astronomy (Prof. Bender) are also explicitly welcome.

LMU Munich seeks to appoint a highly qualified junior academic to this professorship and, therefore, especially encourages early-career scholars to apply. Prerequisites for this position are a university degree and a doctoral degree or a comparable specific qualification. With an excellent record in research and teaching to date, prospective candidates will have demonstrated the potential for an outstanding academic career. Applicants with a promising research program and no more than five years of experience since their PhD graduation are especially encouraged to apply.

The initial appointment will be for six years. After a minimum of three years, it can be converted into a permanent position pending a positive evaluation of the candidate’s performance in research and teaching as well as his or her personal aptitude and if all legal conditions are met.

Under the terms of the “LMU Academic Career Program”, in exceptional cases and subject to outstanding performance in research and teaching, the position may be converted from a W2 into a W3 Full Professorship at a later date.

LMU Munich makes a point of providing newly appointed professors with various types of support, such as welcoming services and assistance for dual career couples.

LMU Munich is an equal opportunity employer. The University continues to be very successful in increasing the number of female faculty members and strongly encourages applications from female candidates. LMU Munich intends to enhance the diversity of its faculty members. Furthermore, disabled candidates with essentially equal qualifications will be given preference.

Please submit your application comprising a cover letter, curriculum vitae, research program (approximately 3 pages), documentation of academic degrees and certificates as well as a list of publications to the Dean of the Faculty of Physics, Schellingstr. 4, 80799 Munich, Germany, or via e-mail to [email protected]. Please include the contact information of three professional references. Review of materials will begin on December 20, 2021, and candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their application by that date. The application closes on January 15, 2022.