Research Associate (f/m/d) – Postdoc in the ERC-funded international project mw-atlas

Research Associate (f/m/d) – Postdoc in the ERC-funded international project mw-atlas

Theoretical Astroparticle Physics Teaching and Research Unit

Job-ID: V000010761

Location: Aachen

Contract duration: Fixed-term employment

Job evaluation: EG 13 TV-L

Start date: as soon as possible

Working hours: Full-time

Application time: 28.03.2026

Job type: Academic staff

Our Profile

The mw-atlas project invites applications for a postdoc position to be held at RWTH Aachen University. Funded by an ERC Synergy grant, mw-atlas aspires to construct the first self-consistent, comprehensive, three-dimensional atlas of the Milky Way in all of its components, based on available and upcoming multi-wavelength datasets, on the physical interconnections between components, on the mathematical framework of Information Field Theory, and its usage in medical imaging or Earth monitoring.

The project is jointly led by Torsten Enßlin (MPA, Garching), Philipp Mertsch (RWTH Aachen University), and Vasiliki Pavlidou (IA-FORTH, Heraklion), with additional expertise provided by Marijke Haverkorn (Radboud University Nijmegen), Doug Finkbeiner (Harvard University), and Christoph Pfrommer (AIP Potsdam).

Your Profile

• Hold (or will obtain before starting) a PhD degree in Physics, Astrophysics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, or related fields;
• Have a strong quantitative background; prior experience in statistical inference, inverse problems, or computational modeling is highly desirable;
• Are proficient in programming (e.g. Python, C++, or similar) and familiar with handling large datasets and modern software development practices;
• Possess good communication skills in English and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary, international environment.

Your Duties and Responsibilities

The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with Philipp Mertsch, the other PIs and project staff. She/he will have the opportunity to spend a significant amount of time at other project partners' locations and facilities in order to benefit from the expertise of all project members, depending on research interests and focus. The postdoctoral researcher will also benefit from a diverse, interdisciplinary and dynamic intellectual environment (including interactions with other experienced scientists, collaborations with other postdoctoral researchers and many doctoral students, workshops, lecture series, conferences, retreats and much more), dedicated supervision, further training opportunities and cooperation partners, special project computer centres and collaborations with software developers and industry partners. 

Applications should be submitted as a single PDF file to [email protected] and should include:

• A cover letter stating your interest in aspects of the mw-atlas project;
• A CV (including a list of publications with the most important 1 to 3 publications indicated with an asterisk);
• A 3-pages statement of research accomplishments and future goals;
• At least two, preferably three letters of recommendation to be sent to [email protected] (please instruct your letter writers to indicate your family name in the subject of their email).

All questions regarding the positions may be directed to [email protected].

What We Offer

The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract.
The position is to be filled at the earliest possible date and offered for a fixed term of two years.
An extension for a third year is possible.
The fixed-term employment is possible as it constitutes one of the fixed-term options of the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (German Act on Fixed-term Scientific Contracts).
This is a full-time position.
The salary is based on the German public service salary scale (TV-L).
The position corresponds to a pay grade of EG 13 TV-L.

About us

RWTH is a certified family-friendly University. We support our employees in maintaining a good work-life balance with a wide range of health, advising, and prevention services, for example university sports. Employees who are covered by collective bargaining agreements and civil servants have access to an extensive range of further training courses and the opportunity to purchase a job ticket.
RWTH is an equal opportunities employer. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, particularly from groups that are underrepresented at the University. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability or age. RWTH is strongly committed to encouraging women in their careers. Female applicants are given preference if they are equally suitable, competent, and professionally qualified, unless a fellow candidate is favored for a specific reason.
As RWTH is committed to equality of opportunity, we ask you not to include a photo in your application.
You can find information on the personal data we collect from applicants in accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) at http://www.rwth-aachen.de/dsgvo-information-bewerbung.