Research Fellow

Post Title: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

SBU/Department: School of Physics Engineering and Computer Science/Centre for Astrophysics Research

FTE: 1.0 (37 hours per week)

Duration of Contract: Fixed term of 18 months (with possibility of renewal)

Salary: UH7 £37,099pa with potential to progress to £44,263pa by annual increments

Annual Leave: 35 days plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location: College Lane campus, Hatfield

Main duties and responsibilities:

Applications are invited for a fixed-term postdoctoral position to lead original research in the context of the development of the UK Square Kilometre Array Regional Centre at the University of Hertfordshire, specifically in the area of development of the software needed to support the radio astronomy community in working with data from the SKA and pathfinders and precursors like LOFAR, MeerKAT and e-MERLIN, and in delivering the science demonstrator cases that form part of the funded UKSRC programme. The successful applicant will work with Professor Martin Hardcastle at the Centre for Astrophysics Research, and become a member of the UK SRC team, collaborating with partners in Cambridge, UCL, Durham and Manchester as well as with the international SRC network. This is a fixed-term position till December 2025 with the possibility of renewal subject to a successful bid for continued funding.

You will also regularly contribute to a positive and productive working atmosphere within the Centre for Astrophysics Research, by contributing to the execution and organisation of various meetings, seminars, talks and journal clubs that make CAR (and UH in general) a vibrant place to work.

Skills and experience required:

The successful applicant will have a good track record of research in a relevant area of expertise, including quantitative research methods and analysis, and collaborative partnerships with other HEI’s or external partners. You will also have a record of submitting/publishing scientific research in leading astronomical journals, experience of scientific programming in Python, and experience with radio astronomy data reductions and calibration. The ideal candidate will also have experience of working with large datasets and catalogues.

Knowledge of research methodology and appropriate databases for the discipline, and the ability to conduct literature searches in the discipline using appropriate electronic resources is essential to the role. You will also have good relevant IT skills, the ability to plan and manage own activities effectively and the ability to deal with sensitive material with strict confidentiality.

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria.Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.

An appointment to this role may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

Qualifications required:

An undergraduate honours degree and a PhD (or equivalent qualification), or close to completion (no more than 3 months prior to viva), in a relevant subject area, or equivalent experience

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: For more information or to discuss the post, please contact Professor Martin Hardcastle ([email protected])

Closing Date: 06 June 2024

Interview Date: TBC

Reference Number: 059175

Date advert placed: 22 May 2024

Our vision is to transform lives: UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics, and recognise there are different ways applicants may achieve the criteria in this document. We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships and free Active Staff sessions, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts