Research Fellow (104883-0122)

Vacancy Type/Job category
Research Only
Department
Physics
Sub Department
Astronomy & Astrophysics Group
Salary
£31,406 - £40,927 per annum
Location
University of Warwick, Coventry
Vacancy Overview
Fixed-term contract until 31/12/2023, 36.5 hours per week.
The Astronomy and Astrophysics group seeks to appoint a Research Fellow to work within the Gravitational wave Optical Transient Observer project under supervision of Prof Danny Steeghs. You will contribute to the development, operations and science exploitation of the GOTO facility. GOTO is an autonomous robotic array of optical telescopes with a very wide field of view, permitting high cadence sky surveys and rapid response searches across substantial sky areas in response to gravitational wave detections and other exotic transients. It is deployed across two observing sites (La Palma & Australia), each hosting 16 unit telescopes.
You will be an excellent communicator capable of working effectively both independently and as part of a research team. You must hold, or be about to obtain, a doctoral degree in astrophysics or a related field. Experience in observational astronomy, automated data analysis, and familiarity with time-domain and multi-messenger astrophysics is strongly preferred, whilst expertise in instrumentation and control systems would be welcomed.
The position is funded by STFC until 31 December 2023, and we anticipate it would be extended past this date due to a delayed start. An application form must be submitted together with a signed covering letter with a concise description of your research or technical accomplishments & interests, as well as a CV including a full publication list. Please ensure you provide the details of at least two academic referees on your application form.
If you have not yet been awarded your PhD but are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant on level 5 of the University grade structure. Upon successful award of your PhD and evidence of this fact, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of the level 6 of the University grade structure.
Please direct informal inquiries to Prof Danny Steeghs ([email protected]). Further information on the Astronomy and Astrophysics group can be found at www.astro.warwick.ac.uk , and https:/goto-observatory.org/ .
Interview Date: Late Feb 2022.
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE
To undertake research and provide operational support for the GOTO facility, working with project members in the successful execution of the project and the delivery of key operational milestones.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Research and scholarship
• To carry out research in support of the STFC-funded project, the Gravitational wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO).
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects within the scope of the research areas related to GOTO, covering technical, operational and science exploitation activities.
• To contribute to the deployment and operational support of the telescope arrays.
• To contribute to software development related to pipelines, control systems, and data classification and mining tools.
• To write research papers and technical reports for distribution and publication.
• To effectively communicate research results at conferences, meetings and telecons.
• Contribute to, and where applicable lead, proposals and applications to external bodies, for telescope time and funding, to support a developing research agenda.
• Continually update own knowledge and understanding in field or specialism.
Administration and Other Activities
• May be required to attend consortium and oversight committee meetings and to participate in other working groups or committees within the consortium or department.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety in all aspects of work.
• Work within budget constraints.
The duties and responsibilities outlined are not intended to be an exhaustive list but rather to provide guidance on the main aspects of the post. The post-holder will be required to be flexible in his or her duties.

Person Specification

The Person Specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively. This is measured by (a) Application Form, (b) Test/Exercise, (c) Interview, (d) Presentation.

Essential Criteria 1
Hold, or be about to attain, a PhD or equivalent in a relevant scientific discipline (astronomy, physics, mathematics). (a, c)
Essential Criteria 2
A developing research profile with the proven ability to publish high quality research outputs in relevant field commensurate with experience. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 3
Sufficient breadth or depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 4
Ability to implement and deliver programmes of research work to defined deadlines. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 5
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a research team. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 6
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 1
Experience with data reduction and analysis of imaging data and associated photometry. (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 2
Ability or potential to contribute to the development of telescope or funding proposals. (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 3
Some experience with data analysis software development. (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 4
An understanding of equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion issues as they may impact on research content, outputs and practice. (a, c)
Further Particulars
For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars .
For further information about the department, please visit the departmental website .
The Astronomy and Astrophysics Group
For further information about the Astronomy and Astrophysics Group, please visit our website at: astro.warwick.ac.uk
Transient and time-domain research at Warwick includes studies of explosive transients and their host galaxies, synoptic surveys, multi-wavelength follow-up and compact binaries. Of particular interest are electromagnetic follow-up of gravitational wave sources, gamma-ray bursts and supernovae.
Warwick operates a number of robotic telescope facilities, and substantial recent investment has led to construction of the Warwick-led Gravitational Wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO), an array of wide-field telescopes operating on La Palma, and in the near future, Australia. Complementary research within the astrophysics group includes both theoretical and observational study of interacting binaries, galaxy evolution, stellar population synthesis, compact objects and exoplanetary systems.
The Physics Department and the University of Warwick are proud of their diverse community of staff, students, and visitors, and are committed to maintaining an excellent record in teaching and research by ensuring that there is equality of opportunity for all, fostered in an environment of mutual respect and dignity.
Both the Physics Department and the University of Warwick hold Athena SWAN Silver awards, a national initiative to promote gender equality for all staff and students. The Physics Department is also a Juno Champion, which is an award from the Institute of Physics to recognise our efforts to address the under-representation of women in university physics and to encourage better practice for both women and men.
Further information can be found at www.warwick.ac.uk/physics/staff/working .
The University supports flexible working and requests for job-share will be considered where possible.
Childcare can be provided for you at the University of Warwick Nursery (www.warwick.ac.uk/services/childrensservices/nursery ) in order for you to attend the interview. Childcare is subject to availability of places at the Nursery.
Right to work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK points-based immigration system please click on this link which contains further information about obtaining right to work in the UK and details about eligibility for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa.
The University of Warwick provides an inclusive working and learning environment, recognising and respecting every individual’s differences. We welcome applications from individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010.

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy

As an organisation using the (DBS) Disclosure and Barring Service to assess applicants’ suitability for positions of trust, the University of Warwick complies with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed. More information is available on the University’s Vacancy pages and applicants may request a copy of the DBS Code of Practice.

Closing Date
24 Feb 2022