Call for a postdoc (m/f/d)

Call for a postdoc (m/f/d)

A postdoc position in the ERC‑funded international project mw‑atlas at RWTH Aachen University (Aachen, Germany).

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).

The postdoctoral scholar will work closely with Philipp Mertsch, the other PIs, and project associates. They will have the opportunity to spend significant time at other nodes and associates' institutions, to benefit from the expertise of all members of the project, depending on their research interests and focus. The postdoctoral scholar will further benefit from a diverse, cross‑disciplinary, and dynamic intellectual environment (including interactions with other senior scientists, collaborations with other postdoctoral scholars and many PhD students, workshops, lecture series, conferences, retreats, and more), dedicated mentorship, training opportunities, and collaborating partners, dedicated project computational facilities, and collaborations with software engineers and industry partners.

We are looking for highly motivated candidates who:

• 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.

We encourage applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences, even if not all listed qualifications are met.

Our Offer:

• Fully funded position (two years, with the possibility of an extension for a third year) with salary and benefits according to public sector contracts (TV‑L);
• Funding from the ERC Synergy Grant, including support for research‑related travel and conference participation;
• A vibrant, cross‑disciplinary research environment with expertise and mentoring across all three mw‑atlas institutions;
• Opportunities for research visits, collaborations with project associates, and participation in specialised workshops, lecture series, and retreats;
• Access to extensive computational resources.

Application procedure:

Applications should be submitted as a single PDF file to and should include:

• A cover letter stating your interest in aspects of the mw‑atlas project (please express your preference in one of the three core nodes, and if you would be open to be considered for a position in the other two nodes as well);
• A CV (including a list of publications with the most important 1 to 3 publications indicated with an asterisk);
• A 3‑page statement of research accomplishments and future goals;
• At least two, preferably three letters of recommendation to be sent to (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

Applications received by 29 March 2026 will receive full consideration. Later applications will be reviewed until all positions are filled. The targeted date for candidate selection and interviews is April 2026, with the anticipated starting date for appointments is October 2026.

RWTH Aachen University is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals.

Furthermore, we seek to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourage women to apply.

RWTH Aachen University also wishes to increase diversity and equality of opportunity in all respects and welcomes applications without regard to factors such as nationality, ethnicity, disability, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation.