Cyber Security Academy Southampton
Research Fellow in Transient Astrophysics
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Job Opportunity: Postdoctoral Research Associate
The School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southampton, together with Lancaster University and the University of Oxford, is seeking to appoint one Postdoctoral Research Associate at each institution as part of the five-year STFC Large Award "TRANSCEND". TRANSCEND is a collaboration between QUB/Lancaster/Oxford/Southampton that will use Vera Rubin/LSST transient data and the 4MOST Time-Domain Extragalactic Survey (TiDES) to address pressing questions in modern astrophysics: how stars explode and drive chemical enrichment, how supermassive black holes grow, and the true nature of Dark Energy.
Each Postdoctoral Research Associate will lead one of the following areas:
Host galaxies of transients (University of Southampton)
- Derive host-galaxy properties from LSST+TiDES photometric and spectroscopic data
- Use the unprecedented LSST+TiDES transient sample to study how transients correlate with their environments
- Measure transient rates to uncover the physical origins of the deaths of stars
SNe Ia cosmology groundwork and citizen science (University of Oxford)
- Use over 30,000 spectroscopically confirmed SNe Ia and 150,000 host-galaxy redshifts to improve SNe Ia standardisation
- Lay the groundwork for using SNe to constrain Dark Energy and large-scale structure (e.g. via weak lensing and structure growth rate)
- Contribute to a citizen science project for transient classification
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Simulations and selection effects (Lancaster University)
- Lead the forward-modelling of the combined LSST+TiDES sample
- Characterize its associated sample selection effects
- Build galaxy population catalogues validated against state-of-the-art cosmological simulations (e.g. Illustris-TNS)
This simulation effort will be the foundation underpinning every rate, host-galaxy, and cosmological result in TRANSCEND.
While each position will be associated with a TRANSCEND deliverable, all Postdoctoral Research Associates will have opportunities to follow-up interesting transients and be encouraged to pursue projects that maximize the science from TiDES.
Qualifications
- A PhD (or near completion) in astrophysics, physics, cosmology, or a related field
- Strong scientific programming skills (Python)
- Research experience in time-domain astrophysics, supernovae, galaxy evolution, cosmology, or survey science
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
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Application Requirements
- CV
- Publication list
- A 2-page research statement describing past research experience and its relevance to the TRANSCEND science goals
- If applying to more than one post, state your order preference in the research statement
Contact Info
Job Details
- Full-time posts funded for 5 years from 1st April 2027
- Applicants are encouraged to apply for more than one post
- All three researchers will be expected to work closely, through regular collaboration visits, to maximize the overall scientific outcomes of TRANSCEND
- All Postdoctoral Research Associates will contribute part of their time to TiDES infrastructure work
Application Process
- Apply by 11.59 pm UK time on the closing date
- For assistance contact Recruitment on +44(0)2380 592750 or recruitment@soton.ac.uk quoting the job number
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