max planck institute for gravitational physics phd

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University of Potsdam (UP)  

Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) 

Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP)

Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute / AEI)

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Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics

About the institute

The Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute, AEI), located in Potsdam and Hannover, is one of currently  86 institutes and facilities belonging to the Max Planck Society. Since its foundation in 1995, it has established itself as an internationally leading research center. The entire spectrum of gravitational physics is explored here within five departments and several independent research groups. Activities include basic research on the theory of general relativity and quantum gravity as well as experimental and theoretical aspects of gravitational waves, which were predicted by Einstein in 1916 and measured in 2015.

At the institute in Potsdam, researchers from the “Astrophysical and Cosmological Relativity” department develop accurate analytical and numerical models of gravitational-wave sources, and use them to analyse data, improving our ability to extract unique astrophysical and cosmological information from the observed signals, and testing Einstein’s theory of general relativity. Research in the division “Computational Relativistic Astrophysics” covers mergers of binary neutron stars and mixed binaries – binary systems of a black hole and a neutron star – as well as stellar core collapse that form black holes. The division also focuses on studying more fundamental aspects of General Relativity using numerical tools. The “Quantum Gravity and Unified Theories” department is searching for a new theory of quantum gravity that contains the standard model of quantum field theory and the theory of general relativity as limiting cases, but that overcomes their mathematical inconsistencies. In addition to the research divisions, the AEI in Potsdam hosts four independent research groups that specialize in geometry and gravitation, theoretical cosmology, quantum fields and information, and in history of quantum gravity (in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin). There is also an emeritus group on exceptional quantum gravity.

AEI promotes young scholars at all levels. A spring school is held each year at the institute’s Potsdam site. The institute also runs two International Max Planck Research Schools to train and promote doctoral candidates.

Web: www.aei.mpg.de Email: [email protected] , [email protected] Phone: +49 331 5 67‑70

Website about PhD programmes: https://www.aei.mpg.de/26215/phd-programmes

Head of Institute/ contact persons:

Director AEI Potsdam: Professor Dr. Alessandra Buonanno

Director AEI Potsdam: Professor Dr. Masaru Shibata

Scientific Coordination and Public Relations AEI Potsdam: Dr. Elke Müller

• Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert-Einstein-Institute)
• Division of Laser Interferometry and Gravitational Wave Astronomy

Yan Wang Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert-Einstein-Institute) | AEI  ·  Division of Laser Interferometry and Gravitational Wave Astronomy

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• Institut für Gravitationsphysik, Leibniz Universität Hannover and Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert-Einstein-Institute)

• California Institute of Technology

• Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik, Teilinstitut Hannover

• Chennai Mathematical Institute

• Chinese Academy of Sciences
• Paris Diderot University

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PhD positions: Call for applications in 2024

The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Göttingen conducts fundamental research in the field of solar system physics. With its approximately 300 staff members, it is one of the leading institutes in the field of solar physics and planetary research. In particular, the institute is involved in numerous international space missions. The International Max Planck Research School for Solar System Science at the University of Göttingen and TU Braunschweig ("Solar System School") offers a research-oriented doctoral programme in Solar system science. In the context of this IMPRS, the MPS offers PhD projects in three main areas:  ''Sun and Heliosphere'', ''Solar and Stellar Interiors'', and ''Planetary Science''. Solar System School students collaborate with leading scientists in these fields and graduates are awarded a doctoral degree from the University of Göttingen or the TU Braunschweig.  

This call is closed. Please see the time line for information about the ongoing selection process.

The MPS invites applications for PhD Positions in Solar System Science

The Solar System School is open to students from all countries and offers an international three-year PhD program in an exceptional research environment with state-of-the-art facilities on the Göttingen Campus. Successful applicants will be offered a 3,5-year doctoral support contract with remuneration dependent on TVöD (75% E13) according to the German public salary scale, as well as postdoc wrap-up funding.

The language of the structured graduate program is English, with complimentary German language courses offered (optional). The program includes an inspiring curriculum of scientific lectures and seminars as well as advanced training workshops and provides relocation costs and travel funds to attend international conferences.

Applicants to the Solar System School should have a keen interest in Solar system science and a record of academic excellence. They must have, or must be about to obtain, an M.Sc. degree or equivalent in physics, chemistry, geosciences or a related field, including a written Masters thesis, and must document a good command of the English language.

Review of applications will begin on 1 October 2024

Review of applications for a starting date of October 2025 will begin on 1 October 2024 , but other starting times are also negotiable. The positions are awarded on a competitive basis.

How to apply

Applicants must submit the following documents through the online application portal between 1 August and 1 October 2024:

• an application form to be filled online, including two short texts describing the applicant's scientific interests and their motivation to apply for PhD projects in the Solar System School , along with the applicant's choice of up to three PhD projects;
• a curriculum vitae in pdf format;
• degree certificates and full transcripts of all academic records: i.e. scanned copies of B.Sc. and M.Sc. degree certificates (or equivalent), and lists of all courses with credits and grades issued by the respective school or university, with English or German translations;
• certificate to prove proficiency in the English language, for candidates whose most recent academic education has not been in English or German for at least two years (e.g. transcript of TOEFL / IELTS scores or equivalent);
• contact details for two or three academic referees who have been contacted by the applicant and who have agreed to write a letter of recommendation on behalf of the applicant. The referees will subsequently be contacted by the School and will be asked to submit their letters through the online portal no later than 10 October 2024 .

It is highly recommended to also submit

• GRE Physics or GRE Chemistry test scores or equivalent for candidates who have obtained their Master's degree at a university outside of the European ECTS area.

The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. The Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of individuals of underrepresented genders and therefore explicitly encourages individuals of underrepresented genders to apply.

The Max Planck Society is committed to employing more individuals with severe disabilities. Applications from individuals with severe disabilities are explicitely encouraged.  

To apply, please register then login at the Online application portal . For further information, please browse the answers to Frequently Asked Questions and direct any further inquiries to the IMPRS scientific coordinator, Dr. Sonja Schuh, at [email protected] .

The career and family audit

This page: Call for applications 2024 for several PhD positions in solar system science © MPS

Choose your project interests and apply via the online application portal:

Solar system science phd thesis projects offered, imprs phd online application portal, admission tests - please see faq pages, curriculum - structured phd study program, imprs partner institutions on göttingen campus, funding of doctoral candidates in imprs, download call for applications and poster.

• Call for PhD applications 2024 669.25 kB
• Solar System School Poster 2024 5.11 MB

Several PhD positions in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Job summary.

Heidelberg Germany

Job Description

The  "International Max Planck Research School for Astronomy and Cosmic Physics at the University of Heidelberg"  (IMPRS-HD) invites applications for its PhD program.

The school aims to offer outstanding research and training opportunities with excellent instrumental, observational, and theoretical research facilities at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics, the Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, the Landessternwarte Koenigstuhl, the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, and the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies.

Main research topics carried out at these institutions are planet and star formation; exoplanets and substellar objects; astrometry; formation, evolution and dynamics of galaxies and supermassive black holes; gravitational lensing; cosmology and structure formation; high energy astrophysics; and state-of-the-art instrumentation for astronomy and astroparticle physics.

The IMPRS-HD is an independent part of the Heidelberg Graduate School for Physics.

Several fellowships are available with 1600-1800 Euro monthly average net income.

Interested students are invited to apply by November 1, 2024, for the academic year starting in September 2025. An earlier start of the thesis research is possible.

Applicants must have a Master's degree (or equivalent) in Physics/Astronomy including a corresponding thesis and a very good physics background. Applicants with a 4-yr degree in physics may be accepted conditionally.

Further details on IMPRS-HD and the application process can be found at http://www.imprs-hd.mpg.de/.

Compensation and Benefits

Application details.

Fully funded PhD Positions (Doctoral Researcher m/f/d) | Condensed Matter Science

Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart

Type of Job

Young Researchers

Job offer from August 01, 2024

Are you interested in becoming a doctoral researcher in the field of condensed matter science? The International Max Planck Research School for Condensed Matter Science (IMPRS-CMS) in Stuttgart, Germany, currently has an open call for multiple fully funded doctoral researcher positions.

Deadline for submission of your application is September 30, 2024 .

The IMPRS-CMS, established at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in corporation with the University of Stuttgart , offers you a unique opportunity to join one of our internationally renowned Research Groups for a doctoral study. We combine an exceptionally broad and interdisciplinary spectrum of expertise in fundamental research on condensed matter , ranging from topics such as

Quantum Materials / Electronic Structure & Quantum Many-Body Theory / Nanoscience / Solid State Spectroscopy / Solid State Ionics & Batteries  / Bioinspired Materials / Quantum Electronics / Organic Electronics / Ultra-Cold Atomic Gases /…

• Cutting-edge research projects in a vibrant, interdisciplinary, and multicultural work environment with access to excellent research institutions around the world.
• A modern, structured doctoral program in English with a tailored curriculum .
• Fully funded positions plus additional funding for scientific meetings and trainings (no tuition fees).
• Individual supervision, co-supervision, and mentoring by research scientists who are leaders in their respective fields.
• An excellent working environment with various on-campus support (technical facilities/ workshops, PhD representatives, residence permit / visa support, children’s day care, etc.).

Join our Research School

Our excellent, structured PhD program will enable you to continue your professional carrier in the field of condensed matter science at a world-leading level. We combine an extraordinarily broad and interdisciplinary spectrum of expertise in fundamental research on condensed matter, an area of ​​particularly great technological importance.

About 40 distinguished and internationally recognized group leaders actively participate in the IMPRS-CMS program and offer cutting-edge PhD projects.

Become part of this community!

Your application

Applicants should hold an MSc (or equivalent degree) with a strong background in physics, chemistry, mathematics, and material or computer science . The deadline of the current call is September 30, 2024.

Other important prerequisites for working in our international and multidisciplinary institute are a high level of commitment, basic knowledge of solid-state science and a good knowledge of English.

Candidates with an outstanding BSc degree are eligible to apply for a fast track PhD.

Details on the program, eligibility and application can be found here . For further information, please contact the coordination office: [email protected] . Please note, that only applications submitted through our online application portal can be considered.

The IMPRS-CMS, as part of the Max Planck Society, and the University of Stuttgart is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. The IMPRS-CMS strives for gender equality and diversity and seeks to increase the number of women in its workforce in those areas where they are underrepresented. We therefore explicitly encourage women to apply.

New study simulates gravitational waves from failing warp drive

Sci-fi spaceships could create bursts within the range of future detectors

Imagine a spaceship driven not by engines, but by compressing the spacetime in front of it. That's the realm of science fiction, right? Well, not entirely. Physicists have been exploring the theoretical possibility of "warp drives" for decades, and a new study published in the Open Journal of Astrophysics takes things a step further – simulating the gravitational waves such a drive might emit if it broke down. 

Warp drives are staples of science fiction, and in principle could propel spaceships faster than the speed of light. Unfortunately, there are many problems with constructing them in practice, such as the requirement for an exotic type of matter with negative energy. Other issues with the warp drive metric include the potential to use it to create closed time-like curves that violate causality and, from a more practical perspective, the difficulties for those in the ship in actually controlling and deactivating the bubble. 

This new research is the result of a collaboration between specialists in gravitational physics at Queen Mary University of London, the University of Potsdam, the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Gravitational Physics in Potsdam and Cardiff University. Whilst it doesn't claim to have cracked the warp drive code, it explores the theoretical consequences of a warp drive "containment failure” using numerical simulations.

Dr Katy Clough of Queen Mary University of London , the first author of the study explains: "Even though warp drives are purely theoretical, they have a well-defined description in Einstein’s theory of General Relativity, and so numerical simulations allow us to explore the impact they might have on spacetime in the form of gravitational waves." 

Co-author Dr Sebastian Khan, from Cardiff University’s School of Physics and Astronomy, adds: “Miguel Alcubierre created the first  warp drive solution during his PhD at Cardiff University in 1994, and subsequently worked at the MPI in Potsdam. So it’s only natural that we  carry on the tradition of warp drive research in the era of gravitational wave astronomy .”

The results are fascinating. The collapsing warp drive generates a distinct burst of gravitational waves, a ripple in spacetime that could be detectable by gravitational wave detectors that normally target black hole and neutron star mergers. Unlike the chirps from merging astrophysical objects, this signal would be a short, high-frequency burst, and so current detectors wouldn't pick it up. However, future higher-frequency instruments might, and although no such instruments have yet been funded, the technology to build them exists. This raises the possibility of using these signals to search for evidence of warp drive technology, even if we can't build it ourselves. 

Dr Khan cautions “In our study, the initial shape of the spacetime is the warp bubble described by Alcubierre. While we were able to demonstrate that an observable signal could in principle be found by future detectors, given the speculative nature of the work this isn’t sufficient to drive instrument development.”

The study also delves into the energy dynamics of the collapsing warp drive. The process emits a wave of negative energy matter, followed by alternating positive and negative waves. This complex dance results in a net increase in the overall energy of the system, and in principle could provide another signature of the collapse if the outgoing waves interacted with normal matter. 

This research pushes the boundaries of our understanding of exotic spacetimes and gravitational waves. Prof Dietrich comments: “For me, the most important aspect of the study is the novelty of accurately modelling the dynamics of negative energy spacetimes, and the possibility of extending the techniques to physical situations that can help us better understand the evolution and origin of our universe, or the avoidance of singularities at the centre of black holes.”

Dr Clough adds: "It's a reminder that theoretical ideas can push us to explore the universe in new ways. Even though we are sceptical about the likelihood of seeing anything, I do think it is sufficiently interesting to be worth looking!" 

The researchers plan to investigate how the signal changes with different warp drive models and explore the collapse of bubbles travelling at speeds exceeding the speed of light itself. Warp speed may be a long way off, but the quest to understand the universe's secrets continues, one simulated crash at a time.

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PhD Student or Postdoc Position (f/m/d) | Ion Channel Simulations

Job Code: 24-24

The Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences is a leading international research institute of exceptional scientific breadth. With more than 40 research groups and some 1,000 employees from over 50 nations, it is the largest institute of the Max Planck Society.

The research group for Computational Biomolecular Dynamics (Prof. Dr. Bert de Groot) is inviting applications for a  PhD Student or Postdoc Position (f/m/d)  in the field of  Ion Channel Simulations  for any of the following topics:

• Relationship between channel dynamics and permeation.
• Ion channel cooperativity.
• C-type inactivation mechanism in Kv and K2P channels.
• Potassium channel gating due to pressure, temperature or pH.

Your profile

Successful candidates have a keen interest and strong skills in computational molecular physics, structural biology and scientific computing, as well as a strong interest in interdisciplinary research and collaboration with experimental groups.

PhD Students hold (or expect to complete soon) a Master’s or equivalent degree in any of these or a related field. Correspondingly, Postdocs hold a PhD or equivalent degree in the above mentioned or related fields.

What we offer

• State of the art on site compute facilities.
• A team of 30+ expert colleagues.
• A family friendly, green campus with on-site kindergarten.
• Ample training opportunities.

The group language is English, so no German language skills are required – but it is a great opportunity for you to learn German. Free in-house language courses are available. The historic city of Göttingen, located in the heart of Germany, offers great outdoors and cultural opportunities, a vibrant student scene, and an impressive scientific heritage.

Position details

PhD students will have the opportunity to participate in one of several available PhD programs, with three years funding, in collaboration with the University of Göttingen. Masters students aiming at a fast track PhD are also welcome. The Postdoc position is limited to two years with a possibility of extension.

Payment and benefits are based on the German Public Service Payscale (TVöD Bund) guidelines. We would like to fill the position as soon as possible, but the exact start date is flexible.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and, therefore, encourages applications from such qualified individuals. The Max Planck Society strives for diversity and gender equality and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.

Application

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Please submit your application including a cover letter (explaining background and motivation), a CV (with a publication list, if applicable), and transcripts (translated in English or German, if applicable) preferably via e-mail and as a single PDF file to:

[email protected]

Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences Research Group “Computational Biomolecular Dynamics” Prof. Dr. Bert de Groot Am Faßberg 11 37077 Göttingen Germany

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IMPRS on Gravitational-Wave Astronomy, Branch in Potsdam

A joint PhD program in Gravitational-Wave Astrophysics

The International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) on Gravitational Wave Astronomy offers a doctoral education in all aspects of gravitational-wave physics as well as the behavior of gravity and matter in extreme conditions . The IMPRS has two branches, one in Hannover on experimental and observational aspects of gravitational-wave astronomy , and one in Potsdam dedicated to analytical and numerical relativity, data analysis, astrophysics of compact objects, and multi-messenger astronomy . Both branches participate in the analysis of gravitational-wave detector data of the LIGO and Virgo detectors. You are on the pages of the IMPRS-branch in Potsdam, which involves several partner institutes .

Our goal is to educate well-rounded researchers by providing a unique scientific environment and excellent research and training resources to prepare them for a successful scientific career. It is an English-language program with a course and research curriculum designed for a 3-4 year duration. The curriculum consists of lectures, focus courses, seminars, retreats, and soft skills seminars. Our students receive full financial support for the duration of their PhD. Students also receive support for participation in conferences, and have access to state-of-the-art high-performance computing facilities.

Students will benefit from a large network of regional, national, and international collaborations, and will have the opportunity to join the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and the LISA Consortium.

The doctoral degree will be awarded by the University of Potsdam or the Humboldt University of Berlin, after acceptance of the doctoral thesis and a successful thesis defense.

What no one has seen before: new study simulates gravitational waves from failing warp drive

Warp drives are staples of science fiction, and in principle could propel spaceships faster than the speed of light. However, there are many problems with constructing them in practice, such as the requirement for an exotic type of matter with negative energy. Nevertheless, physicists have been exploring the theoretical possibility of warp drives for decades, and a new study published in the Open Journal of Astrophysics takes things a step further – simulating the gravitational waves such a drive might emit if it broke down.

The evolution in time of the real part of the Weyl scalar Ψ4 for the case of v = 0.1. This quantity provides a measure of the spacetime curvature and, in the far region, can be identified with the gravitational wave content of the spacetime. In the last two panels, we see a burst of gravitational-wave radiation leaving the collapsed remnant of the warp bubble.

© K. Clough (Queen Mary University of London)

Paper abstract

Despite originating in science fiction, warp drives have a concrete description in general relativity, with Alcubierre first proposing a spacetime metric that supported faster-than-light travel. Whilst there are numerous practical barriers to their implementation in real life, including a requirement for negative energy, computationally, one can simulate their evolution in time given an equation of state describing the matter. In this work, we study the signatures arising from a warp drive ‘containment failure’, assuming a stiff equation of state for the fluid. We compute the emitted gravitational-wave signal and track the energy fluxes of the fluid. Apart from its rather speculative application to the search for extraterrestrial life in gravitational-wave detector data, this work is interesting as a study of the dynamical evolution and stability of spacetimes that violate the null energy condition. Our work highlights the importance of exploring strange new spacetimes, to (boldly) simulate what no one has seen before.