One research assistant and two post-doctoral positions in galaxy formation and dark matter at the School of Physics and Astronomy of the Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai campus

Job Description

The School of Physics and Astronomy of the Sun Yat-sen University (SPA@SYSU) announces the opening of one Research assistant and two post-doctoral positions in galaxy formation and evolution, to work with prof. Nicola R. Napolitano within the 100 Top Talents Program.

The goal is to put together a young team of scientists to work on ongoing surveys like the Kilo Degree Survey (KiDS), the Fornax Deep Survey (FDS), the Galaxy Mass Assembly (GAMA), to compare results from observations vs. simulations and prepare the tools based on Machine learning for the next generation ground based surveys, e.g. LSST. In particular, we are interested in the structure and evolution of galaxies and their dark matter content, strong gravitational lensing, and galaxy dynamics using planetary nebulae and globular clusters and we will make use of ad-hoc hydro-simulations produced by the theoretical group at the SPA@SYSU.

• The position of Research assistant is a 3-year term contract-based (renewable for another 3-year term, with possibilities for tenure positions after two years or at end term) is open to experienced researcher (under 40 years old) who have knowledge of either observational data or simulations. Special regard will be given to candidates which have also expertise in machine learning techniques.
• The post-doc positions are 2- or 3-year term contracts oriented to young post-graduated candidates, which have obtained their PhD degree within the last three years, and with experience in large (photometrical or spectroscopical) sky surveys, galaxy formation and evolution, dark matter inferences in galaxies. Proven skills in one or more than the following technical expertise are required: wide field imaging and spectroscopy data reduction, surface analysis of galaxies and structural parameters, large databases, stellar populations, dark matter models, galaxy kinematics and dynamics either on individual nearby systems or in large datasets.

The salary is competitive given the average cost of life in the Zhuhai city of Guangdong Province and the possibility to have access to accommodation with facilitated rent provided by the Campus. 

The School

The School of Physics and Astronomy is situated in the Zhuhai campus. It is committed to cutting-edge research of the highest quality in astrophysics, cosmology, gravitation, quantum physics, space science, and theoretical physics. In particular, it plays a leading role in the development of the TianQin project: a space-borne gravitational wave detector. It also aims to produce undergraduates and graduates with a strong foundation in physics and astrophysics. The group has recently installed a cluster dedicated to numerical simulations. The supercomputer Tianhe-2 is also operating by SYSU and accessible. Group members are involved in projects including TianQin, and science involving CAS South America Center for Astronomy (CASSACA), Fermi, H.E.S.S.-II, and SDSS-IV. The new galaxy formation and evolution group will expand the list of collaborations including KiDS, FDS, GAMA and use data from ESO facilities.

Applicants should have a good track record of publications in leading scientific journals. No teaching duties are required.

Application Material and Deadline: Candidate should send a CV, list of publications and a short research statement to be sent to prof. Nicola R. Napolitano ([email protected]) and prof. Weipeng Lin ([email protected]). Short listed candidate will be asked to arrange three letters of reference. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. However, all applications received by Jan 1, 2019, will receive full consideration.