Assistant Professor in Black Hole Astrophysics

KU; København; Hybrid; DKK 405,000 - 485,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Copenhagen seeks an Assistant Professor in Black Hole Astrophysics to advance theory, simulations, and data analysis in a four-year role beginning March 2027. The candidate will lead within the EHT collaboration, contribute to the NASA BHEX mission, and drive VLBI data analysis and GRMHD modeling for comparison with high-resolution EHT data.

The position emphasizes leadership, research excellence, and potential to attract external funding, with a strong track record in VLBI

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in the EHT collaboration.
• Experience with VLBI data analysis.
• Experience running GRMHD simulations and interpreting results.
• Ability to build semi-analytic models for comparison with high-resolution data.

Responsibilities

• Lead research on black hole astrophysics combining theory, simulations, and data analysis.
• Publish results and engage in scientific communication.
• Contribute to teaching and examination obligations within the Assistant Professorship.

Skills

EHT leadership

VLBI data analysis

GRMHD simulations

Semi-analytic modeling

Black hole physics

Education

PhD in Astronomy/Physics

Tools

VLBI analysis tools

Job description

Assistant Professor in Black Hole Astrophysics

We are seeking a highly motivated and accomplished Postdoc scientist to work at the intersection of theory, simulation, and data analysis in black hole astrophysics for a four-year position, commencing on 1 March 2027.

The Assistant Professor’s duties will primarily include research, including obligations with regard to publication/scientific communication and research-based teaching with associated examination obligations within Assistant professorship. To a limited extent this may also include performance of other duties

Specifically, the chosen applicant is required to work on the following problems

1) Are extragalactic jets seen throughout the Universe really powered by black hole spin energy and can we prove it with polarimetric observations?

2) How do gravity, radiation, and high-energy particles interact to determine the structure and dynamics of accretion disks and the jet launching region around low luminosity AGN?

3) What is the best way to use sparse and noisy observations from Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) arrays to precisely measure the properties of black holes and their astrophysical environments?

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies:

Essential experience and skills:

In order to pursue these questions, the chosen candidate must have a substantial record of leadership in the global Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration as well as a role in the project team for the proposed NASA Black Hole Explorer (BHEX) mission.

The chosen candidate must have a proven track record in the analysis of VLBI data, running and interpreting General Relativistic Magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations, and building semi-analytic models of black hole accretion and jet launching for comparison with extremely high-resolution EHT data. This position is for four years.

Assessment of applicants

Assessment of applicants will primarily consider their level of documented, internationally competitive research. The ability to attract external funding will be considered together with outreach qualifications. Teaching qualifications are not mandatory, but documented teaching qualifications and teaching experience will be considered.

General criteria apply to the appointment of Assistant Professors at the University of Copenhagen. The criteria (research, teaching, Innovation & societal impact, organizational contribution and leadership) are considered as a framework for an overall assessment of the applicant. In addition, each applicant will be assessed according to the specific requirements listed in this advertisement.

For Assistant professors: https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-meritering-maj-2026/5a_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Assistant_professors.pdf .
Applicants are encouraged to read the University of Copenhagen's Guidance on the merit criterion Innovation and Societal Impact here

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 4 years. The starting date is 1 of March, 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Terms of employment

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 39,900 DKK/approx. 5,300 EUR (August 2026-level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18,07 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

Application procedure

Your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
• CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
• A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans
• If available, description and documentation of teaching and supervision experience and qualifications - please describe and document:
  • Experience with supervision of BSc and MSc students
  • Teaching experience
  • Formal pedagogical training
• Separate reprints of 5 particularly relevant papers

Deadline for applications: 17 November 2026, 23:59 GMT +1.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process

After the expiry date of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Interviews/trial lectures will be held from 9 December 2026.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

Part of the InternationalAllianceof Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.