Karl Schwarzschild Postdoc Programme

The Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) has established the Karl Schwarzschild Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme in honour of Karl Schwarzschild (1873 – 1916) former director of the Astrophysical Observatory Potsdam, and his significant contributions to the field of astrophysics, particularly in the subfields of optics, stellar physics, stellar dynamics, and general relativity.

The Karl Schwarzschild Fellowship is awarded regularly with an alternating focus on topics from extragalactic astrophysics and cosmic magnetic fields. Schwarzschild fellows are identified in a competitive international search. In order to be considered, applicants must have received their PhD within the previous five years. Schwarzschild fellows are expected to carry out an independent research program and contribute to the scientific life of the AIP, including co-supervision of students.

The Fellowship is normally awarded for three years, but may be extended up to two additional years. The fellowship provides a competitive salary based on the German public service scale (TV-L E14) and an individual research budget of €20,000 for three years. The AIP is an equal opportunity employer and considers individuals for employment according to their skills, abilities, and experience. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.

The AIP carries on the traditions of the Astrophysical Observatory Potsdam and the Berlin Observatory. The institute's broad scientific profile ranges from solar physics to cosmology, making it attractive to scientists from all over the world. Potsdam is also the home of the Albert-Einstein Institute for Gravitational Physics, the Physics & Astronomy Department of Potsdam University and several other research institutions.

Recipients

In 2023: Dr. Meredith Powell (Extragalactic Astrophysics)

In 2019: Dr. Julián Alvarado-Gómez (Cosmic Magnetic Fields)

In 2018: Dr. Marcel Pawlowski (Extragalactic Astrophysics)

In 2016: Dr. Arianna Di Cintio (Extragalactic Astrophysics)

In 2015: Dr. Sarah Jane Schmidt (Cosmic Magnetic Fields)

In 2014: Dr. Else Starkenburg (Extragalactic Astrophysics)

In 2012: Dr. Federico Spada (Cosmic Magnetic Fields)

In 2011: Dr. Francisco Shu Kitaura Joyanes (Extragalactic Astrophysics)

Contact and postal address

Prof. Dr. Matthias Steinmetz (Secretary: Mrs. Anja Cysewski, +49-331-7499-801)
Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik Potsdam (AIP)
An der Sternwarte 16
14482 Potsdam, Germany

Prof. Dr. Klaus G. Strassmeier (Secretary: Mrs. Katrin Böhrs, +49-331-7499-223)
Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik Potsdam (AIP)
An der Sternwarte 16
14482 Potsdam, Germany