DUNE Postdoc position at the University of Innsbruck: Weak gravitational lensing of high-redshift galaxies and the Euclid redshift calibration
Sub-project lead and contact: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Tim Schrabback
The Innsbruck DUNE team is strongly involved in ESA’s Euclid Mission. In particular, the Innsbruck Extragalactic Astrophysics Group (which includes SFB leads Grandis, Linke, and Schrabback) plays leading roles within the Euclid weak lensing efforts, so far especially focussing on Euclid image simulations and shear calibration, cosmic shear and galaxy-galaxy lensing measurements, as well as lensing-calibrated cluster cosmology.
Early studies demonstrate Euclid‘s outstanding capabilities for sensitive weak lensing measurements. One of the main hurdles for fully exploiting this potential are current uncertainties in estimates of true galaxy redshift distributions, especially at high redshifts and faint magnitudes. It is the main goal of this project to provide key contributions for overcoming this limitation. For this it is planned that the postdoctoral researcher (PDR) hired for this project will join the Euclid weak lensing team and incorporate new JWST spectroscopic redshift samples obtained by the ISTA DUNE team into the Euclid weak lensing redshift calibration. The PDR will also exploit synergies with our local Euclid shear calibration team, which is working on the generation and analysis of highly realistic image simulations for Euclid, to support the redshift calibration efforts. For the later stage of the project it is anticipated that the PDR will lead a pilot science analysis that demonstrates the improved accuracy and constraining power for high-redshift weak lensing measurements enabled by the improved redshift calibration.
When applying for this position applicants should in particular highlight relevant prior experience regarding weak lensing measurements, photometric redshift measurements, weak lensing redshift calibration, weak lensing image simulations, and photometric scatter modelling.
Required qualifications for the postdoc position
- Completed PhD in Physics, Astrophysics, or related fields by start of your contract
- Excellent command of written and spoken English (C1 level)
- Excellent programming skills and their scientific application, typically in Python
- Experience in academic writing with a proven track record
- Excellent abilities to work in a team and excellent communication skills
- You are goal-oriented and have a high motivation to strive for scientific excellence
- Additional knowledge in areas related to the individual position (see descriptions above) will be an advantage
General information about the position and application procedure
The advertised postdoctoral research position (40 hours / week) is for two years initially, with a possibility of an extension to up to 3.5 years. The expected start date is between March 1st, 2026 and September 1st, 2026. DUNE salary schemes follow the Austrian Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Staff (Kollektivvertrag für die Arbeitnehmerinnen & Arbeitnehmer der Universitäten), see also https://www.uibk.ac.at/en/personnel-department/wissenschaftliches_personal/job-profiles-scientific-staff/.
Interested candidates should send their application as a single pdf document not exceeding 8MB by January 18, 2026 to sfb-dune@uibk.ac.at (attention: Julia Mönnich, Institute for Astro- and Particle Physics, University of Innsbruck). The email subject should follow the notation: “Application SFB Postdoc: Lastname Firstname”. The combined pdf document should include a cover letter, CV, and list of publications. In the cover letter applicants should indicate their preferred starting date and highlight any relevant prior expertise / experience relevant for the considered position. In addition, the applicant should arrange for at least two letters of recommendation to be sent directly to the same email address by the same deadline.
Specific questions regarding the scientific aspects of the position should be sent directly to the sub-project lead. General administrative questions should be sent to sfb-dune@uibk.ac.at.
The University of Innsbruck emphasizes equal opportunities and diversity in its personnel policy. The University of Innsbruck strives to increase the percentage of women and thus expressly encourages qualified women to apply. This is particularly true for leading positions and scientific job offers. In case of under-representation women with the same qualifications will be given priority. Following Austrian disability legislation, qualified persons are strongly encouraged to apply.