Open call for fellowship (PhD student) position in Prof. Agnieszka Janiuk’s project (AJ/15/2025)

The Director of the Center for Theoretical Physics PAS invites applications for
PhD student fellowships at the CTP PAS, financed from the project MAESTRO 15 "Dynamics of processes around compact stars" funded by National Science Center (grant registration number: UMO- 2023/50/A/ST9/00527).

PI of the project is Prof. dr hab. Agnieszka Janiuk.

The aim of the project is to study theoretical models of gamma-ray burst (GRB) engines. Using numerical computer simulations, a model of the magnetized ultrarelativistic jet driven by accretion onto a Kerr black hole, will be studied. It has been shown that the Poynting energy of such jets is transferred at large distances to a bulk kinetic energy, and ultimately radiated away in the form of gamma-rays. The process of jet launching, its collimation and evolution, can be modeled numerically.  The development of the dynamical models specifically addressed to short GRB engines (Janiuk, 2019) was motivated by discovery of the seminal source, with a gravitational wave counterpart, GW-GRB 170817. Later on, subsequently found several other sources that show associated kilonova emissions, have proven to be sites of r-process nucleosynthesis. The dense and hot ejecta where this r-process occurs, may help in jet collimation (Urrutia al. 2025). It is not clear though, whether the kilonova phenomenon must be uniquely related to short GRB-engines, or it is rather universal for both types of short and long GRBs.  In the context of long bursts, related to collapsing massive stars, the growth of black hole, change of its spin, and also related self-gravity force in the massive stellar envelope, may further complicate the picture (Janiuk, Shahamat & Król 2023) and influence the jet launching process.

The scope of work of the successful Candidate within the project will be on development of numerical simulations and analysis of observational data related to the jets and kilonovae, driven by the compact binary mergers and collapsing stellar cores.

We expect the candidates to have:

- Master's degree in physics or astronomy,

- Good theoretical and numerical background,

- interest in fluid dynamics and magnetohydrodynamics,

- independence and creativity in solving problems,

- knowledge of astronomical data reduction and analysis (gamma ray astronomy) will be a plus.

The application must include:

1. The scientific CV, including records from undergraduate and graduate courses and scientific achievements (publications, participation in research projects and conferences), with the clause "I agree to the processing of my personal data contained in the application documents”
2. Cover letter.
3. A copy of the master's degree diploma.
4. Copies of other documents confirming scientific or professional achievements.
5. At least one letter of recommendation from a researcher with at least a PhD degree,
   concerning the candidate and his/her current scientific activity.
6. Research plan of the Candidate within the scope of this MAESTRO project.

The application should be submitted electronically to rekrutacja@cft.edu.pl between 2025-09-05 and 2025-09-26. In the e-mail’s title please add the reference number: AJ/15/2025.

The scholarship will be awarded in accordance with the applicable laws in Poland and in

accordance with the Resolution of the NCN Council no. 124/2022 of December 1, 2022,

regarding the Regulations for the Awarding of NCN Scientific Scholarships in Research Projects funded by the National Science Center, for a period of two years, amounting to approximately 4700 PLN net per month.

The competition will be settled by 2025-10-01. Candidates will be informed electronically on the results of the competition.

Link to the Project Supervisor’s website:

https://ajaniuk.cft.edu.pl/