Post-doctoral Research Fellow – Dwarf Galaxies in Deep-Wide Surveys

We are seeking to appoint a promising early-career post-doctoral researcher to lead original scientific investigations in the area of galaxy formation and evolution, working with Prof Sugata Kaviraj in the University of Hertfordshire’s Centre for Astrophysics Research (CAR). A focus will be on harnessing the unprecedented area, depth and statistics afforded by new observational surveys to perform some of the first statistical studies of dwarf galaxies outside the local neighbourhood. The successful applicant will combine data from new deep-wide surveys – e.g. the Hyper Suprime-Cam surveys and the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) – with state-of-the-art cosmological hydro-dynamical simulations. Members of Kaviraj's group have LSST data rights and hold several leadership roles within LSST, including in pipeline development. The group is heavily involved in cosmological simulations (e.g. Horizon-AGN and NewHorizon) and in developing machine-learning techniques for the analysis of large surveys.

The successful applicant will have a good track record of research in a relevant area of observational or theoretical astrophysics. They will also have a record of submitting/publishing scientific research in leading astronomical journals and experience of scientific programming.

The post – one of 8 new STFC-funded postdoctoral positions awarded to CAR as a result of the STFC Astronomy Grants scheme (2023) – is available for 3 years, from 1 April 2024. The successful candidate will ideally be in post as soon as possible, and no later than 1 October 2024. Candidates should have, or should have submitted for a PhD in astrophysics, before taking up the post. The starting salary is expected to be £ 37,099 per annum, incrementing annually, with a higher salary possible based on previous postdoctoral experience.

Applications should be submitted online by the deadline date of *4 Feb 2024* via the link to our recruitment website below and should be accompanied by an uploaded CV, list of publications, and a summary of previous research and current interests (not exceeding two sides of A4 paper, either in Word or PDF format).