Understanding the kinematic, spectroscopic, and structural properties of dense star clusters requires sophisticated simulations and synthetic observations that can be directly compared with real data. This project involves the development and application of tools for generating synthetic spectroscopic and integral field unit (IFU) observations based on realistic star cluster simulations. The postdoctoral researcher will lead the development of a new tool for creating synthetic spectroscopic datasets and will work on further improvements to the MOCCA Monte Carlo star cluster code.
The successful candidate will also be responsible for improving the treatment of stars escaping the cluster, including tracking escapers and their properties, and for refining the handling of fewbody interactions in dense cluster environments. These developments will enable more realistic modeling of star clusters and better interpretation of observations from instruments such as VLT/MUSE and Gaia.
This position is part of a broader research effort funded by the Polish National Science Centre (NCN) to bridge the gap between star cluster simulations and modern observational data. The postdoc will work closely with the project PI (Dr. Abbas Askar), a PhD student focusing on synthetic photometric data, and external collaborators.
Tasks description
The postdoctoral researcher will be a key member of the research team, responsible for the following tasks:
- Leading the development of a synthetic spectroscopic pipeline for generating IFU-like data cubes and mock spectroscopic observations from simulation outputs;
- Simulating radial velocity curves, velocity dispersion profiles, and other kinematic signatures of dense stellar systems and binary populations;
- Improving the MOCCA codebase, particularly the modeling of stellar escapers and the dynamics of fewbody interactions (e.g., binary–binary and binary–single encounters);
- Analyzing synthetic spectroscopic data to study binary fractions, dynamical mass modeling, multiple populations, and signatures of compact object subsystems;
- Publishing scientific results in peer-reviewed journals and presenting findings at international conferences;
- Collaborating with the PhD student on overlapping tasks such as multi-epoch tracking and ensuring consistency between photometric and spectroscopic synthetic observations.
Requirements
Applicants must hold a PhD degree in astrophysics, astronomy, or a closely related field by the time of appointment. Additional desired qualifications include:
- Strong experience in star cluster dynamics, computational astrophysics, or stellar/binary evolution;
- Experience with spectroscopic data analysis, kinematics, or IFU observations;
- Proven programming skills (e.g., Fortran, C, or Python);
- Experience with code development or numerical tool design is highly desirable;
- Familiarity with numerical simulation codes for star clusters;
- Good command of English, sufficient to work in an international research environment.
Selection process
The applicants should provide:
- a copy of the PhD diploma or a statement of its date of completion (before project start date);
- CV;
- list of publications;
- a statement of scientific interests, plans and motivation (no more than 2 pages);
- at least 2 letters of recommendations to be sent directly by the persons who wrote them.
Documents should be submitted by August 31, 2025, 23:59 CEST, by e-mail, with a subject „Postdoctoral position in Spectroscopic Simulations and Dynamical Modeling of Star Clusters” to recruitment@camk.edu.pl.
Location: Warsaw (Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center, Polish Academy of Sciences).
Funding: Grant fellowship under NCN SONATA 20 grant.
Stipend: 9,400 PLN/month gross (approx. 7,000–7,500 PLN/month net, depending on tax and insurance).
Duration: 30 months (2.5 years).
Start Date: October 2025 (flexible within reason).
Note: A single position is available. The project budget includes funding for travel, computing equipment, and research visits.
