Job Description

Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26198
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Neil Cornish
Regents Professor
(406) 994-7986
Classification Title Postdoctoral Researcher
Working Title Simons Postdoctoral Fellow
Brief Position Overview
We invite applications for a Simons Postdoctoral Fellowship position in Strong Gravity and Black Holes at Montana State University. The fellows will be provided with substantial support for travel across the nodes of the Simons Collaboration on Black Holes and Strong Gravity.
Position Number 4C6987
Department Physics
Division College of Letters & Science
Appointment Type Research Professional
Contract Term Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA Exempt
Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE 1.0
Benefits Eligible Eligible
Salary $60,000 - $63,000 annually
Contract Type LOA
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
The successful candidate will join a global network of Simons Postdoctoral Fellows in Strong Gravity and Black Holes that are part of the Simons-BHSG. This new, multidisciplinary and multinational collaboration explores the non-linear and dynamical nature of strong gravity and black holes in and beyond Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity through gravitational observations. The collaboration brings together mathematicians, physicists, numerical experts and data analysts to work on the following themes:

• The mathematical study of singularities and the stability of rapidly rotating black holes in general relativity,
• The analytical and numerical study of the potential breakdown of effective field theory methods outside black holes,
• The analytical and numerical modeling of the dynamics of (and gravitational waves emitted in) binary black hole coalescence (including the inspiral, merger and ringdown phases) through perturbative (post-Newtonian and black hole perturbation theory) and non-perturbative (numerical) methods,
• The connection of light-ring physics and ringdown physics in and outside of general relativity in light of current and future gravitational observations,
• The creation of new methods and tests to extract features about strong gravity predicted in Einstein's theory and in beyond-Einstein theories from gravitational-wave observations,
• The amelioration of systematics induced by the mismodeling of gravitational waves, of astrophysical environments, or of noise artifacts in gravitational-wave inference,
• The development of Bayesian data analysis techniques to carry out parameter estimation and model selection in non-stationary and non-Gaussian noise through traditional and AI-techniques,

The collaboration's major goal is to reveal deep insights about our cosmos at the intersection of strong gravity in general relativity, strong gravity beyond Einstein and gravitational observations.
Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will conduct research on observational tests of strong gravity under the mentorship of Professor Neil Cornish.

• Prepare research presentations and publications.
• Participate in Simons Collaboration workshops and working groups.
• Participate in MSU gravity group meetings.
• Assist with mentoring graduate students.

The research will be collaborative in nature, involving other Simons Collaboration Co-PIs, their students and other postdoctoral researchers.
Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills * A Ph.D. in physics, mathematics, or a closely related field.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills * Experience in one or more of the following topics: Bayesian Inference, gravitational wave data analysis, or gravitational wave modeling.

• Demonstrate research experience and record of publication.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Exhibit research creativity, breadth and depth of knowledge, and the ability to produce high-quality work.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work in a team environment.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
Occasional travel required.
This position is contingent upon continued grant funding.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? No
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search.
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on December 15, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
Applicant Documents
Required Documents * Resume

• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Skills Required