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| Joint York-UvA postdoctoral position in fast radio burst localization | Closing date: 2026-05-08
Contact: Ziggy Pleunis |
| We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher who is excited about driving the very-long baseline interferometry (VLBI) localization of fast radio bursts (FRBs) with the CHORD telescope and its outrigger stations and using the large samples of detected FRBs and their milliarcsecond localizations from both CHIME and CHORD in order to elucidate the nature of FRBs and use them as probes to study the wider Universe. This is a 3-year joint position between York University, Toronto, Canada and the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. | | ▸ more | Background: The Department of Physics and Astronomy at York University and the Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) invite applications for a postdoctoral research position under the supervision of Professors Paul Scholz (York), Ziggy Pleunis (UvA) and Jason Hessels (UvA). This is a 3-year position, with the successful applicant employed at York for the first 1.5 years and the following 1.5 years at UvA. The position is supported in part by York University?s Global Research Excellence Initiative, which aims to foster impactful global research networks. The position is available immediately, with a flexible start date.
Both research groups at the UvA and York University are focussed on the study of fast radio bursts (FRBs), mysterious flashes of radio waves of millisecond or shorter duration coming from far outside of our Galaxy. The
origins of FRBs remain elusive, but a key discriminator between models is the environments from which they arise. While an ~arcsecond localization allows for the unambiguous association with a host galaxy, a subarcsecond
localization allows for pinpointing FRBs to within their host galaxy and the association with stellar populations. The current world?s best FRB detector, the CHIME telescope, was recently upgraded to a very long baseline
interferometry (VLBI) experiment by the addition of three Outrigger stations. Building on the technology developed for CHIME, we are now constructing the Canadian Hydrogen Observatory and Radio-transient Detector (https://www.chord-observatory.ca/home), which will also have two Outrigger sites.
Overall purpose of postdoctoral position: We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher who is excited about driving the VLBI localization of FRBs with CHORD and its outrigger stations and using the large samples of detected FRBs and their milliarcsecond localizations from both CHIME and CHORD in order to elucidate the nature of FRBs and use them as probes to study the wider Universe. There will be opportunities to contribute to telescope commissioning, which may include visits to telescope sites. You?ll also benefit from the embedding in the AstroFlash research group (https://astroflash-frb.github.io/), which has been leading FRB localizations at mas scales with the European VLBI Network through the PRECISE project.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to join the CHIME/FRB and CHORD collaborations and make use of the data produced by CHIME, CHORD, and their Outrigger telescopes.
Key responsibilities: The Postdoctoral Visitor will have the following responsibilities:
- Devise a research plan together with York and UvA supervisors, conduct research, and publish research results in the area of fast radio transients;
- Collaborate with other faculty members, postdocs, and students in the York FRB and AstroFlash research groups as well as international collaborators in CHORD, CHIME/FRB collaborations;
- Potentially co-advise research projects of PhD, MSc and BSc students at both York and UvA;
- Travel to CHORD and outrigger site to assist with commissioning activities;
- Write or assist in writing research proposals;
- Contribute to creating an open, safe and inclusive working environment.
Educational qualifications: Applicants must have completed all requirements for a PhD in astronomy, astrophysics or a related field.
Training/Experience required: A demonstrated record of related research experience; experience in very-long baseline interferometry is an asset.
Compensation and Salary:
At York:
- Salary of $80,000 CAD per year with a term length of 18 months.
- For information on the extended health benefits available to York postdoctoral researchers see: https://www.yorku.ca/gradstudies/wp-content/uploads/sites/184/2024/08/pdv-health-care-spending-account-information-sheet.pdf
- International candidates may refer to the Immigration & Relocation website (https://www.yorku.ca/hr/immigration-relocation/) for further information on immigration requirements.
At UvA:
- Upon satisfactory performance at York, we offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per
week for a period of 18 months, with a salary of ?3546 to ?5538 (scale 10) gross per month.
- Besides the salary and a vibrant and stimulating environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe
benefits:
- 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1
January;
- multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
- multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
- multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning
platform with 100+ different courses;
- 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave with 100% salary;
- partly paid parental leave;
- the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
- a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
- the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch.
- For more information about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here: https://www.uva.nl/en/faculty/faculty-of-science/working-at-the-faculty/working-at-the-faculty-of-science.html
How to apply: Applicants should submit the following information in a single PDF file:
- a CV
- a list of publications
- a brief statement of past and current research and your scientific interests (no more than 3 pages,
including references).
- Two letters of references to be sent via email to pscholz @ yorku.ca by May 8, 2026.
Completed applications should be sent electronically to pscholz @ yorku.ca by May 8, 2026.
If you have any questions about the position or require additional information please contact Paul Scholz (pscholz @ yorku.ca) and/or Ziggy Pleunis (z.pleunis @ uva.nl).
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