We anticipate filling one prize fellowships and the following three postdoctoral research positions with starting dates by Autumn 2026 under the corresponding job ad listed on the AAS job register (https://aas.org/jobregister/ad/e763f0f5). Details on the available positions are given below. The prize fellowship position is for four years, while the postdoctoral positions are for three years unless stated otherwise in the descriptions below. Please do not hesitate to contact the respective MPIA staff member directly if you have any questions. Generic questions can be directed to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Eva Schinnerer (schinnerer@mpia.de). Please send logistical questions to the department assistant, Susanne Koltes-Al Zoubi (koltes@mpia.de).
The application material should include a cover letter indicating the position(s) of interest, a CV, a publication list, a statement of research experience and interest (up to 3 pages), and three letters of reference provided separately by the same date. References in the research statement do not count against the page limit, and we suggest using a font size of at least 11pt and standard page margins.
All applications and reference letters must be submitted using the online application system: https://mpia.heyflow.site/gc-postdoc-2025.
a) One independent postdoctoral prize fellowship position.
We seek candidates to conduct excellent independent research related to one or more of the research areas covered by the various research groups in the Galaxies and Cosmology Department.
b) One postdoc position in the group led by Dr. Maria Bergemann. The group's main research directions include theory and observations of stars, and chemical evolution of galaxies. The position is funded through the Lise Meitner program, which supports activities related to physical modelling of stars (3D radiation-hydrodynamics, NLTE), novel methods (e.g. machine learning) for stellar parameterisation, and scientific exploitation of observational data from Gaia, 4MOST, WEAVE, and JWST. Interest and prior experience in one or more of these areas is expected. We also welcome applications from researchers with interest in using stellar data and models in other areas, including star-planet connection or Galaxy structure.
c) One postdoc position in the new ERC research group “FIRST-GIANTS” of Dr. Anna de Graaff. Our group aims to characterise the physical processes driving the rapid formation and evolution of massive galaxies in the first billion years. We use and develop novel modelling techniques to analyse JWST spectroscopy (e.g. RUBIES) and wide-area imaging. Candidates interested in one or more of the following areas are encouraged to apply: high-redshift stellar populations, galaxy kinematics, galaxy-AGN connection, simulation comparison. Prior experience with JWST data analysis is preferred.
d) One postdoc position in the group led by Dr. Nadine Neumayer. The group is combining observations and simulation projects to study the build-up and evolution of galaxy centres, focusing on the formation of massive black holes. We seek a postdoc to pursue (also independent) research on observational or simulation studies of (stripped) galactic nuclei to understand their star formation history, chemical enrichment, link to the dynamics of stars and gas, and the growth of the central black hole. We encourage candidates to apply who have experience in stellar population analysis, dynamical modelling methods of dense stellar systems, or exploitation of large survey data sets. We have access to data from Euclid, SDSS-V, Rubin Observatory/LSST, and have built-up a large spectro-astro-photometric catalog of omega Centauri.
e) Up to two postdoc positions in the group led by Dr. Annalisa Pillepich. The GC theory group works in the fields of numerical galaxy formation and numerical cosmology, focusing on galaxy evolution, cluster cosmology, and detailed comparisons to observational data and forward modelling of simulated datasets. We are looking for new team members who are interested and have experience in carrying out ambitious research in one or more of the following scientific directions and methodologies: computational galaxy formation and evolution; galaxy groups and clusters and the physics of the halo gas; numerical modelling of feedback, particularly SMBH feedback; development and analysis of large cosmological galaxy simulations; cosmological-parameter inference; machine learning methods for data analysis, simulations, and inference.
f) Two postdoc positions in the group led by Dr. Hans-Walter Rix. We are looking for one postdoc to do (also independent) research on the dynamics and formation history of the stellar population of our Milky Way in the group of Hans-Walter Rix. We encourage candidates with scientific interests in this direction and experience in any of galaxy dynamics, stellar spectroscopy, stellar populations, or forward modelling of large data sets to apply. Data opportunities arise in particular from SDSS-V, 4MOST, and Gaia.
Another postdoc position we seek to fill is to collaborate with Dr. Hans-Walter Rix on observations and modelling of binary star systems. In particular, we are looking for a colleague to exploit (also in independent research) the rich information we expect from the Gaia DR4 data release in late 2026. We are hoping for expertise and interest in either (multi-epoch) modelling of spectra, or astrometry, or binary population modelling.
g) Up to three postdoc positions in the group led by Dr. Eva Schinnerer. A main focus of the ‘Extragalactic Star Formation’ group in the next years will be in understanding the star formation process in nearby gas-rich galaxy centers, so-called extragalactic Central Molecular Zones. Part of the positions are funded by an ERC awarded to exploit new high-resolution ~5-20pc observations of the molecular gas (ALMA), dust/PAH emission (JWST), and young star-forming sites (HST, JWST) available for ~30 such centers. The research will be done in the context of the PHANGS collaboration. Applicants with expertise, experience, and/or interest in some of the following aspects are in particular strongly encouraged to apply:
(a) modeling of gas dynamics including use of existing software, interpretation of gas dynamical observation (in context of galactic structures),
(b) expertise in dust and cold gas physics, ionized gas physics, stellar feedback, or
(c) wide experience in hydrodynamical simulations of the evolution of galaxy centers.
h) One postdoc position in the group led by Dr. Fabian Walter. We are looking for a postdoc who is interested in radio interferometric studies of nearby or distant galaxies. Walter is the Project Scientist for the Deep Synoptic Array (DSA-2000, deepsynoptic.org), with a main interest in 21cm HI (morphology and kinematic) and radio continuum (including polarization) studies. Researchers interested in contributing to defining DSA observing/post-processing strategies are particularly encouraged to apply. Experience with radio interferometric data processing is an asset, but not a requirement.