PhD position for DARKSKIES project

An on-site, fully funded, 4 year PhD position is available at the Laboratory of Astrophysics (LASTRO ) of EPFL (Switzerland) in the group of Dr. David Harvey. The position is part of a SERI funded ERC project DARKSKIES and is within the broad topics of cosmology and computer science.

Project description:

We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate with a keen interest in the broad field of cosmology and machine learning. The position will involve using modern image analysis techniques to explore how we can use intelligent algorithms to discriminative different extensions to the cold dark matter paradigm.

The candidate should be passionate about data analysis, with excellent problem-solving skills and a strong background in either Physics and Astrophysics and / or computer science and deep learning.

There will be scope to follow the candidates interests with opportunities to work on Euclid, SuperBIT and many more telescopes.

Candidates will be expected to actively contribute to all departmental activities including public outreach and diversity, equality and inclusion events.

Requirements:

You have at least a Bachelors in physics, astrophysics or computer science. If you are coming from a physics / astrophysics background, evidence of strong coding skills would be a plus but not mandatory. Similary, those from a computer science background would benefit from evidencing the application of their skills to physical systems.

Working environment:

The successful applicant will join LASTRO which is led by Prof. Jean-Paul Kneib and focuses on research in extragalactic astrophysics and observational cosmology. The successful candidate will work with Dr. David Harvey.

Located at the shore of Lake Geneva, sandwiched between the Jura mountain range and the Alps, EPFL offers a unique and stimulating research environment. In 2020, EPFL became a member of the SKA Organization (https://www.epfl.ch/labs/lastro/scientific-activities/ska/ ). Additionally, EPFL hosts world-leading research institutes for machine-learning, particle physics and cosmology and is in close vicinity to the University of Geneva and CERN.

Start of position:

01/09/2023 (flexible)

Application material:

Interested applicants should submit a single PDF with the subject line “DARKSKIES PhD application” to estrella.briant@epfl.ch , containing the following:

• a motivation letter (pdf, 1 pages),
• a curriculum vitae (pdf, 1 page),
• a transcript of your grades,
• 1 – 2 page summary of your masters / bachelors thesis.

and arrange for