Postdoctoral Fellow / Research Associate in gravitational lensing of dark matter substructures

The Department of Physics at CUHK, Hong Kong, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow / Research Associate position in gravitational lensing of dark matter substructures.

We seek applicants with preferred expertise in strong gravitational lensing who want to expand their research focus to strong gravitational lensing involving gravitational waves. The ideal candidate will have considerable expertise in constructing lens models for galaxies as constrained by multiply-lensed light images, familiarity with analysing optical images, and will be committed to working with local experts to incorporate additional constraints provided by multiply-lensed gravitational-wave events. Current ground-based gravitational-wave detectors have the potential to reveal dark matter (DM) substructures through high-precision timing of the arrival of multiply-lensed gravitational waves. We envision that the combination of constraints from both light and gravitational waves will provide immunity from stellar microlensing and reveal the nature of such sub-structures.

At CUHK, since 2016, the group (led by Otto Hannuksela) has built tools to detect, analyse, and use gravitational-wave lensing with ground-based gravitational-wave detectors in isolation or with electromagnetic imaging (e.g., [1]). At HKU, the group (led by Jeremy Lim) is a leading expert in using traditional gravitational lensing of light rays to elucidate the nature of DM, including investigating the linkage between dark matter substructures and their model predictions, such as subhalos (e.g., WIMPs) and pervasive density modulations (e.g., Axions) (e.g., [2]). Furthermore, there are three dark matter groups (led by Kenny Ng, Tsang Keung Chan, Ming-Chung Chu) at CUHK that specialise in numerical simulations, indirect detection, and theory, and they have expertise in theoretical aspects of dark matter modelling.

Applicants should have (i) a PhD in Physics, Astronomy, or a related field and have a track record in lens modelling—expertise in implementing new strong lensing analyses and modelling, a publication track record in substructure lensing, and experience implementing Bayesian analysis models are highly advantageous. 

The appointee will be responsible for filling the role of a lens modelling expert in the joint endeavour to connect these two branches of lensing and pursue dark matter studies. Apart from the joint work, the position comes with significant autonomy. The appointee is strongly encouraged to integrate and work with these groups freely and to develop his/her own independent research line throughout the study, with 50% time allotted to this purpose.

Appointment will be made on a contract basis for two years commencing September 2024, renewable, subject to mutual agreement. Applications will be reviewed immediately and continue until the position is filled.