Postdoctoral Position in Accreting White Dwarf Binaries Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center, Polish Academy of Sciences in Poland

The Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences (CAMK PAN) in Warsaw is offering a postdoctoral position in the project Tracking Mass Flow in Binary Systems with Accreting White Dwarfs, funded by the Polish National Science Centre (NCN) through a SONATA 20 grant.

The research focuses on accreting white dwarf binaries, especially cataclysmic variables and symbiotic stars, with an emphasis on the transfer and loss of mass and angular momentum in interacting binary systems. The project investigates accretion-disc structure and variability, including disc tilts, precession, and instabilities, as well as winds, jets, bow shocks, and nova shells. The successful candidate will work with spectroscopic, photometric, and spatially resolved observations, combined with theoretical modelling and interpretation, and will contribute to the analysis of existing datasets while also developing related ideas within the project.

This is a full-time, temporary postdoctoral appointment for 24 months. The salary is 9,400 PLN gross per month, with an estimated net salary of around 7,000–7,500 PLN depending on tax and insurance. The project budget also supports travel and computing equipment. One position is available, with a flexible start date between January and October 2027 by mutual agreement.

Applicants must hold a PhD in astrophysics, astronomy, or a closely related field, normally obtained within the last 12 years by the time of appointment, and must satisfy the NCN formal requirements for SONATA 20 post-doc appointments. A strong publication record appropriate to career stage and a good command of English are required. Experience with scientific programming and data analysis is an advantage. The team welcomes candidates from observational or theoretical astrophysics, including those with experience in interacting binaries, accretion discs, stellar outflows, astronomical spectroscopy, time-domain photometry, spatially resolved observations, or numerical modelling.

Applications should be sent by email to [email protected] by 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET, using the subject line Postdoctoral Position in Accreting White Dwarf Binaries. Candidates should submit a PDF application containing a PhD diploma or official statement of expected completion, a CV, a publication list, a two-page statement of scientific interests, previous achievements, and future research plans, and the signed DGPD declaration. At least two letters of recommendation must be sent directly by referees. Questions about the position may be directed to Dr. Krystian Iłkiewicz at [email protected].