Classification: Academic Level A/B
Salary Package: AUD$99,083 – $121,857 Australian dollars per annum plus 17% superannuation
Terms: Full-time, fixed term appointment for up to five years

About the Mathematical Science Institute (MSI)

The Mathematical Sciences Institute (MSI), part of the College of Science at the Australian National University (ANU) is one of the leading mathematics departments in Australia. MSI aims for research and educational outcomes of the highest quality. The Institute comprises approximately 49 academics and seven professional staff members and is located in a new modern, sustainable, award winning building with state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities. The MSI has research strengths in a broad range of areas, including non-linear partial differential equations, microlocal analysis, harmonic analysis, geometric analysis, algebraic geometry, representation theory, number theory, algebraic and geometric topology, mathematical data science, computational mathematics, applied mathematics, mathematical physics and probability/stochastics.

The MSI offers a variety of courses and programs catering to undergraduate, Honours and postgraduate students. The ANU also offers two research-focused degrees for undergraduate mathematics students. The recently introduced Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences is expanding student numbers in the mathematics major, and the elite Bachelor of Philosophy degree attracts a significant number of the very best undergraduates. The MSI offers the most comprehensive undergraduate coursework offerings in mathematics in Australia and supports students through scholarships and prizes. The MSI currently teaches 1960 undergraduate coursework students, and there is a combined total of 108 students in the Honours, MSc, MPhil and PhD programs. For further information about MSI, please see our website

Position overview

The Mathematical Sciences Institute is seeking to appoint a Researcher at Level A and/or Level B. (These equate to the position of Assistant Professor within the United States of America).

This position is funded by an Australian Research Council (ARC) Laureate Fellowship awarded to Professor Andrew Hassell entitled Mathematical Breakthroughs in Wave Propagation. The primary aim of the positions is to carry out the research project proposed for the Fellowship. This will be done in collaboration with Hassell and a range of Australian and international collaborators.

The three strands of the project are:

1. Nonlinear Waves. Analysis of the nonlinear Schroedinger equation, and related equations using the microlocal and Fredholm approach started by Gell-Redman, Gomes and Hassell.Research topics include nonlinear scattering, soliton stability and dynamics. Reference: arXiv:2201.03140, 2305.12429.
2. Rough Waves. Analysis of wave equations with rough coefficients using wave packet transforms and Hardy spaces associated to Fourier integral operators. Research topics include existence and propagation of singularities for wave equations with coefficients with roughness below C^{1,1}. Reference: arXiv:2010.13761
3. Chaotic waves. Study of quantum ergodicity on hyperbolic surfaces. Improved equidistributional results using the intertwining operator of Anantharaman-Zelditch. The project includes development of numerical algorithms arising from the theory, and communicating with applied scientists in related fields such as seismology and quantum engineering. Further details of the proposed projects can be obtained upon request to Professor Hassell, email Andrew.Hassell@anu.edu.au.
   
   

The level of this appointment, Academic Level A or B, will be determined by the appointee’s level of experience and expertise.

Applicants are expected to have an outstanding record in research relative to opportunity, in a field directly relevant to the three projects outlined above. Applicants should also have evidence of quality in teaching. The positions involve some teaching both in the candidate’s area of specialisation and standard mathematics undergraduate courses, however with a low load (approx. one course per year) as these are research-intensive positions. The ARC grant provides for funding for international travel for the PDRAs to attend conferences and workshops, and to conduct collaborative research with international colleagues. The grant will also fund collaborators to come to ANU for collaborative research, and to run workshops in this field of research.

The Mathematical Sciences Institute sits within the ANU College of Science. To see what the Science at ANU community is like, we invite you to follow us on social media at Instagram and Facebook.

The Australian National University is a world-leading institution and provides a range of lifestyle,

financial and non-financial rewards and programs to support staff in maintaining a healthy work/life balance whilst encouraging success in reaching their full career potential. This includes very generous maternity and paternity leave. For more information, please click here.

ANU values diversity and inclusion and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to those of all backgrounds and identities. For more information about staff equity at ANU, click here.

For more information, please contact Professor Andrew Hassell (he/him), ARC Laureate Fellow, via email at Andrew.Hassell@anu.edu.au.

Application information

In order to apply for this role please ensure that you upload the following documents:

• A covering letter or statement addressing the selection criteria.

• A current curriculum vitae (CV), including a publication list.

• A research and teaching vision statement describing achievements and future career plans.

• At least three (3) current letters of recommendation. The references should be uploaded by the referee to MathJobs.org.

The selection committee would like to interview candidates, via skype/zoom, during December and January with an expected commencement date during 2024.