Postdoctoral Researcher (All Genders Welcome)

At the University of Göttingen -Public Law Foundation-, Institut für Astrophysik und Geophysik, there is a position as to be filled. Starting date is as soon as possible. The position is limited to 3 years.

The full-time position (39,8 h per week) as a Postdoctoral researcher is offered in the field of Standard Candles and the Local Distance Network ; part-time appointments may be possible. The position is funded by zukunft.niedersachsen, the joint science funding program of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation.

The successful applicant will work on strengthening the direct measurement of the local Hubble constant via the Local Distance Network ( H0DN Collaboration 2026 ) by improving the accuracy of distance measurements using stellar standard candles. Emphasis lies on the analysis of photometric observations from state-of-the-art space- (e.g., HST, JWST, Roman) and ground-based facilities (e.g., VLT, ELT); algorithmic contributions to the Local Distance Network are also welcome.

Your profile

• Master and PhD degree in astrophysics or related discipline (completion required by starting date)
• Self-motivation and evidence of (beginning) research independence
• Strong statistical and analytical skills
• Experience in optical/infrared crowded-field photometry, preferably including time-series observations
• Experience in programming and image processing
• Experience in distance measurements based on standard candles and/or analysis of resolved stellar populations is an asset
• Open communication and collaborative spirit
• Very good command of the English language

What we offer

• A collaborative and dynamic international research group where your initiative is valued
• Personalized supervision, disciplinary training, and mentoring
• Opportunities for conducting astronomical observations
• Funding for travel and publications
• An interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment with expertise spanning from the Solar system to the Early Universe
• Access to powerful observational infrastructure, including ESO facilities, the Hobby-Eberly-Telescope, and 1m-class telescopes on both hemispheres, among others
• A strong commitment to diversity, equality, and mutual respect

The position is based in Göttingen, a charming university city at the heart of Germany.

Your application should include as a single pdf the usual documents: a motivation letter, a research statement (about 3 pages 11pt font), PhD degree certificate, curriculum vitae, list of publications (links to curated scixplorer/ADS libraries welcome), and contact details of three references electronically via the application portal of the university using the upload link.

For general information, please contact the Institute’s secretariat: sekr@astro.physik.uni-goettingen.de
For specific questions about the position, please contact richard.anderson@uni-goettingen.de

The University of Göttingen is an equal opportunities employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career opportunities for women. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply in fields in which they are underrepresented. The university has committed itself to being a family-friendly institution and supports their employees in balancing work and family life. The University is particularly committed to the professional participation of severely disabled employees and therefore welcomes applications from severely disabled people. In the case of equal qualifications, applications from people with severe disabilities will be given preference. A disability or equality is to be included in the application in order to protect the interests of the applicant.

Please upload your application in one pdf file including the usual documents until 4/30/2026 on the application portal of the university using this link: http://obp.uni-goettingen.de/de-de/OBF/Index/76381 . For more information get in touch with Alexandra Lüttich directly via E-Mail: aluetti@gwdg.de, Tel. +49 551 39 27452 .

Please note:
With submission of your application, you accept the processing of your applicant data in terms of data-protection law. Further information on the legal basis and data usage is provided in the Information General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)