The Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher developing new techniques in X-ray spectral imaging of extended sources at high-energy resolution.

The field of X-ray astronomy is poised to make amazing new discoveries in the coming decade in particular due to upcoming missions that combine excellent angular resolution with recent advances in high-resolution spectroscopy. The power of this new generation of X-ray spectrometers has already been demonstrated by the short-lived Hitomi mission and will be further explored by its successor the joint JAXA/NASA/ESA mission XRISM which is slated for launch in early 2022. XRISM will be followed in 2031 by ESA’s flagship X-ray mission Athena which will, for the first time, deliver angular resolution of a few arcsecs with unprecedented spectral resolution of a few eV. Exploiting the full scientific potential of new datasets from missions like XRISM and Athena will, however, require the development of more advanced, multi-dimensional analysis tools and techniques than currently available.

Project description

The project will focus on developing methods to optimally extract and model high spectral resolution X-ray data in which spectral complexity, complicated spatial structure, geometrical projection effects (i.e. compositional layering, temperature gradients), radiative transfer, velocity structure, and complex instrumental effects can all play an important role. This project forms part of the Netherlands preparatory Roadmap for Athena, and its main goal is to prepare for the future analysis of high-resolution spectroscopic imaging X-ray data with the X-IFU instrument by developing a cohesive set of modern data analysis tools to support Athena science.

With this position, you will be joining a team of researchers and developers from the Netherlands Athena consortium working to design and develop the methods and tools necessary to interpret the wealth of information the next generation of X-ray missions such as XRISM, IXPE, Athena, and eXTP will provide.

Within this team you work closely with other researchers, students, and software developers on related problems, with the ultimate goal being the production of a complete set of next-generation analysis software for application to X-ray data in the 2020’s and beyond. The project will be supervised by Dr Jacco Vink at the University of Amsterdam in collaboration with Dr Phil Uttley (UvA), Dr Aurora Simionescu (SRON/Leiden), and Dr Michael Wise (SRON/UvA).

We have an opening for a postdoctoral position in the analysis of spatially-resolved, spectroscopic data of diffuse X-ray sources (e.g., clusters of galaxies, supernova remnants, diffuse Galactic emission, etc.).

We are seeking a motivated and creative individual with:

• a PhD in astrophysics (or in closely related field);
• experienced with current X-ray analysis techniques and tools;
•  who is excited by the possibility of developing the advanced multi-dimensional data analysis tools needed to take full scientific advantage of new data from XRISM, Athena, and other future X-ray missions.

A strong interest in data analysis methods and astrostatistics is highly desirable.

The appointment is intended for an initial period of 2 years, with renewal for a 3rd year contingent upon funding and satisfactory progress. The earliest possible start date will be 1 March 2020, but later start dates are negotiable.

The salary will be in accordance with the university regulations for academic personnel, and will range from €2,709 to €4,274 (salary scale 10) gross per month (based on a fulltime appointment). This is excl. 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end of year bonus. The Collective Labour Agreement (Cao) for Dutch universities is applicable,

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look at our website.

University of Amsterdam

With over 5,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.  

The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.

Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 6,500, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The research will take place at the UvA, at the Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy and GRAPPA, but in close collaboration with other Athena consortium members at the other universities in the Netherlands and in particular SRON, the Netherlands Institute for Space Research based in Utrecht. SRON is the co-PI institution for the X-IFU spectrometer instrument onboard Athena as well as contributing flight hardware to the XRISM mission.