Thermonuclear Supernovae: Their Explosion and Progenitors, and Implications for Precision Cosmol

The FSU-astrogroup on transients invites applications for a NSF -funded postdoctorial position to join the astrophysics group to work and use radiation hydrodynamical simulations for thermonuclear supernovae using advanced radiation-hydrodynamical simulations. The goal is to probe the signatures and multidimensional physics underlying the explosion and progenitor systems. What is the sensitivity of observables to the geometry of the explosion, and how can the observable signatures be linked to the underlying physical processes? We make full use of multi-messenger and time-domain spanning from the thermonuclear breakout to late-time (1000+d) nebular spectra from UV to the mid-infrared. The data come from our programs on spectropolarimetry (SPECPOL at VLT), some 9+ programs at JWST (CoPI), Swift and HST, and light curves and spectra from many ground-based initiatives. We also draw from many data bases published.

The position is for 2 years and is renewable beyond 2 years, contingent on performance and funding, with a nominal start date of September 1st (or later). The candidate should have experience in numerical astrophysics in either field of the thermonuclear runaway of the WD, flame-physics, radiative transport and processes for the early photospheric or nebular phase, or the interaction of the exploding envelope with the circumstellar and interstellar matter. The successful candidate will take the lead in some of the subfields and is expected to help graduate (currently 3) and undergraduate (2) students of the theory initiative, which currently work on nebular spectroscopy, molecule, and durst formation, non-thermal processes, and lepton transport. The successful candidate is welcome to bring in/continue to work with his current network.

Applicants must have a PhD in physics, astrophysics, or a closely related field by the start of the position. Beyond his research and if desired, the successful candidate has the opportunity to gain experience in teaching.