Two Postdoctoral Positions in Joint Simulation-Based Inference for Large-Scale Structure and High-Energy Astrophysics

About this position

• The Laboratoire d’Annecy de Physique Théorique (LAPTh) invites
• applications for two postdoctoral positions within ADACSI (Accelerating
• Discoveries in Astrophysics and Cosmology with Simulation-based
• Inference), funded by the Multidisciplinary Institute for Artificial
• Intelligence (MIAI) through an AIforScience Research Chair.

• ADACSI will develop a multi-probe simulation-based framework for the
• joint analysis of large-scale structure (LSS) and gamma-ray data. By
• combining these complementary probes of the same underlying matter
• distribution, the project aims to sharpen constraints on astrophysical
• source populations and dark-matter signals, exploiting statistical
• correlations across datasets to break degeneracies that limit
• single-probe analyses. The framework will be validated on synthetic
• data and applied to public datasets, e.g. Fermi-LAT and DESI.

The two postdocs will be recruited simultaneously and will work as a

team toward a single joint pipeline.

• Position 1 — LSS forward modelling and SBI methodology. Developing
• fast simulations of the LSS observables, in particular data from
• spectroscopic galaxy surveys and CMB lensing and the inference
• machinery, building on and extending the SimBIG pipeline. This forward
• model is also the baseline for the gamma-ray side of the project.

• Position 2 — Gamma-ray astrophysics and data analysis. Modelling how
• gamma-ray emitters populate the cosmic web and linking source
• populations to the underlying halo and galaxy distribution; developing
• SBI pipelines for Fermi-LAT data, first standalone and then jointly
• with LSS.

• Qualifications. A PhD in astrophysics, cosmology, or a related field
• completed by the start date; strong programming skills; working
• knowledge of machine learning applied to astrophysics and cosmology,
• in particular simulation-based inference. For Position 1, experience
• with LSS simulations and analysis, and ideally galaxy redshift surveys
• and HPC. For Position 2, experience with gamma-ray data analysis and
• its astrophysical interpretation. Applicants with a strong
• machine-learning or statistics background moving into astrophysics are
• welcome.

• Supervision and environment. Both positions will be co-supervised by
• Dr. Azadeh Moradinezhad and Dr. Francesca Calore, within the
• Astroparticle and Cosmology group at LAPTh (astrocosmolapth.com).
• External collaborators include Christoph Weniger (GRAPPA, University
• of Amsterdam) and Francisco Villaescusa-Navarro (Flatiron Institute,
• New York), as well as SimBIG collaboration. A PhD student and several
• Master’s students will also be recruited within ADACSI, offering
• co-supervision opportunities. The positions provide access to
• CNRS/LAPTh computing resources and generous travel support and, as an
• MIAI-funded chair, connect the postdocs to the institute’s
• interdisciplinary AI community; the group also benefits from its
• proximity to the University of Geneva and CERN.

• Terms. Position 1 is a two-year appointment; Position 2 is a
• three-year appointment. Salary on the USMB scale, commensurate with
• experience, including social security and health coverage. The
• expected start date is 1st October 2027with some flexibility.

Applications. Submit via AcademicJobsOnline:

• a cover letter, indicating Position 1, Position 2, or both;

• a CV with a list of publications;

• a research statement (up to four pages);

• three letters of recommendation, arranged by the applicant.

• Applications received before November 20th - 2026 will receive full
• consideration; the positions remain open until filled. Shortlisted
• candidates will be invited to a remote interview.

Contact. Dr. Francesca Calore (francesca.calore@lapth.cnrs.fr) and Dr.

Azadeh Moradinezhad (azadeh.moradinezhad@lapth.cnrs.fr)