A postdoctoral research associate is sought to work with Prof. Alister Graham to acquire and analyze galaxy images for bulge/bar/disc decompositions. The researcher will be responsible for carefully modeling the radial distribution of optical and/or near-infrared stellar light in nearby (D < ~100 Mpc) galaxies. Themes to be studied pertain to bulge / pseudo-bulge formation scenarios and the central black hole / host bulge connection.
The Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne University has ~30 PhD-qualified staff and a similar number of PhD students. Swinburne currently holds, and is negotiating a second, 5-year agreement with Caltech guaranteeing 15, and potentially up to 20, nights per year on the Keck telescopes for Swinburne staff (including post-docs as lead-investigator). We also operate a significant supercomputing facility (100 Tflops) and a HD 3D theatre. We have a lively research culture with weekly discussion groups, and international speakers comprise half of our colloquia. The campus is located in the cosmopolitan urban area of Hawthorn, 10 minutes by public transport to the heart of Melbourne - which was recently named the "world's most livable city".
A full-time appointment, to begin as soon as possible, will be made for a duration of 2 years, with an extension to 3 years dependent on progress. A list of essential and preferable selection criteria for the position can be found in Swinburne University's Position Description document number 29606, available at http://www.swin.edu.au/jobs
Applications should be made online through the above website. In addition to addressing the selection criteria, applicants should include their CV, publication list, a 1-2 page statement of research interests, plus the names, positions and email addresses of three referees.
