Postdoc for Trans-Neptunian Objects

Organisation/Company Forschungszentrum Jülich Research Field All Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Country Germany Application Deadline 4 Jan 2026 - 23:00 (UTC) Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Other Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Area of research: Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Your Job:

The project focusses on Tans-Neptunian objects. The key objective is to develop ML tools that provide a quantitative assessment for the quality of fit between observed properties of Trans-Neptunian objects for the various suggested theoretical models. The developed workflow should also be applicable to the other discovery science projects in Dynaverse. Your tasks in detail:

• Perform scientific work on the research topic, in collaboration with SDLAA members.
• Cooperate with partners in Dynaverse on relevant adjacent topics.
• Prepare and publish results in collaboration meetings, workshops and conferences and the preparation of project reports.
• Develop and apply software tools.
• Documentations of software and data according to the FAIR data principles.
• Contributions to workshops and training activities.

Your Profile:

• Master and PhD degree in astronomy, physics, computer science or equivalent fields of study.
• Proven experience in N-body simulations and the comparison of simulation and observation results.
• Machine Learning skills to automise comparison process.
• Unbiased approach to different theoretical models.
• Experience in HPC system usage and parallel/distributed computing.
• Knowledge in GPU-based programming would be considered an asset.
• Proven record in publication of results in high-impact journals.
• Programming experience in at least one the following: C, C++, Fortran.
• Proven background in software development.
• Great ability to work in a multidisciplinary team of scientists with heterogeneous backgrounds solving scientifically challenging problems on large computers.
• Self-motivated personality with very good command of written/spoken English and ideally a very good command of German.

Our Offer:

• Comprehensive training courses and individual opportunities for personal and professional further development
• Extensive company health management
• Ideal conditions for balancing work and private life, as well as a family-friendly corporate policy
• Flexible working hours in a full-time position with the option of slightly reduced working hours ( go.fzj.de/near-full-time )
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends ( e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
• A large research campus with green spaces, offering the best possible means for networking with colleagues and pursuing sports alongside work
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: go.fzj.de/benefits

The position is initially for a fixed term of 2 years. Salary and social benefits will conform to the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund), pay group 13, depending on the applicant’s qualifications and the precise nature of the tasks assigned to them. All information about the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) can be found on the BMI website: go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed The monthly salaries in euro can be found here: go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed.entgelt

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

Further information on diversity and equal opportunities: go.fzj.de/equality

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.