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, ASTRON) and Jason Hessels (McGill, UvA, ASTRON). 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 focused 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 (CHORD), which will also have two Outrigger sites.
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, 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.
Requirements:
- a PhD in astronomy, astrophysics or a related field
- 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
- For information on the extended health benefits available to York postdoctoral researchers see here: 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 for further information on immigration requirements: https://www.yorku.ca/hr/immigration-relocation/.
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).