Peking University, Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics
Fellowship ID:
Peking University-Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics-INTERFEROMETRY2025 [#30921]
Fellowship Title:
Joint KIAA-MPE Postdoctoral Fellowship in interferometry of AGN
Fellowship Type:
Fellowship or award
Location:
Beijing, Beijing 100871, China
Subject Area:
Appl Deadline:
2025/11/22 11:59PM
(posted 2025/10/20, listed until 2026/04/20)
(posted 2025/10/20, listed until 2026/04/20) Description:
Description
The Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics (KIAA) at Peking University and the Infrared Group at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) invite applications for the KIAA–MPE IR Postdoctoral Fellowship. This four-year fellowship will begin in 2026 and is structured as a joint position: the fellow will spend two years at KIAA and two years at MPE, the order of which is to be decided with the successful applicant. The fellowship is intended to support an outstanding postdoctoral researcher in the field of active galactic nuclei (AGN) and infrared interferometry. With the advent of GRAVITY and its upgrade, GRAVITY+ (https://www.mpe.mpg.de/ir/gravityplus), at the ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer, infrared interferometry has opened unprecedented opportunities for AGN studies. These instruments enable precise black hole mass determinations and direct probes of the nuclear structures of AGN across a wide range of redshifts. Leveraging these capabilities in combination with multiwavelength observations, the successful applicant will investigate key questions in AGN physics and the evolution of supermassive black holes, in collaboration with the teams led by Dr. Taro Shimizu and Dr. Jinyi Shangguan at MPE and KIAA, respectively. Astrophysics at Peking University includes 23 faculty, about 30 postdocs, 80 graduate students, and 120 undergraduates. The Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics (KIAA), located on the historic PKU campus, uses English as its working language and hosts regular international workshops and conferences. PKU astronomy also leads the CSST PKU Science Center, dedicated to early science from the Chinese Space Station Telescope (kiaa.pku.edu.cn). The Infrared Group at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE), based on the Garching campus near Munich, comprises 15 senior scientists, 10 postdocs, and 10 PhD students led by Prof. Reinhard Genzel and Prof. Frank Eisenhauer. The group combines forefront research—from Galactic Center dynamics to high-redshift galaxy and black-hole evolution—with cutting-edge instrumentation, leading ERIS, GRAVITY/GRAVITY+, and MICADO for the VLT and ELT (mpe.mpg.de/ir). START DATE: May/September/December 2026 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Ph.D. in astronomy, physics, planetary sciences or related fields completed or expected by the start date, and a demonstrated record of research excellence in a field related to AGN. Candidates of any nationality are encouraged to apply. Applications for this position should be submitted at https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30921. The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from women, disabled people and minority groups are particularly welcome. Application Instructions: Applicants should submit the following: cover letter, CV, brief summary of research experience and plans for future research (max 3 pages), and three confidential letters of recommendation to arrive by Nov. 21.Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Research statement
- Publication list
- Three to five reference letters (to be submitted online by the reference writers on this site )
And anything else requested in the description.
Further Info:
Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics
Peking University
5 Yiheyuan Road
Haidian District
Beijing 100871
P. R. China
Peking University
5 Yiheyuan Road
Haidian District
Beijing 100871
P. R. China