Postdoctoral position in brown dwarf retrievals
Job Summary
Job Description
We are seeking a highly motivated Post Doctoral Research Fellow to work with Dr Ben Burningham in a 3-year position on atmospheric retrievals of ultracool dwarfs (UCDs), brown dwarfs and planetary mass objects using data from JWST. The Astrophysics group is part of the Department of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics, and is a thriving research group of ~60 academic staff, research fellows and postgraduate students. The department takes pride in the diversity of its staff and holds both an Institute of Physics Juno Champion and an Athena-Swan Silver award
Start date: Flexible; ideally between 1st April 2023 and 1st October 2023
Duration: 36 months
Salary: Starting at £35,333 pa with appointment at higher starting salary dependent on experience
Main duties and responsibilities: As the Research Fellow, you will develop novel methods to use retrievals of JWST timeseries spectrophotometry of auroral UCDs to study aurorae and clouds via near-infrared variability. In addition, you will be expected to contribute to retrieval studies of brown dwarfs and planetary mass objects across the LTY sequence in collaboration with the wider community of Brewster users, the BDNYC collaboration, and JWST projects’ science teams.
Skills and experience required: You will have a track record of research in a relevant area of expertise, including quantitative research methods and analysis. You will have a record of submitting/publishing scientific research in leading astronomical journals, experience of scientific programming in Python and of working with near infrared spectroscopy and/or timeseries data of brown dwarfs, UCDs and/or exoplanets (essential). You will also have experience of working with complex computing codes, including a familiarity with methods used for modelling and remote-sensing giant exoplanet and/or substellar atmospheres.
Qualifications required: You should have (or have completed the requirements for) a PhD in Astrophysics or a closely related discipline. In addition, you will have excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work to deadlines. Co-operative and positive working relationships with colleagues and as part of a team are essential.
How to apply: Applications should be submitted online via the recruitment website (https://www.jobs.herts.ac.uk/go/047495) and should be accompanied by PDF versions of a CV, a list of publications, and a research statement (not exceeding two sides of A4 paper), and the contact details of two referees willing to write on your behalf.
Compensation and Benefits
We offer a competitive reward package and a wide range of staff benefits, including a generous holiday entitlement, the Teachers Pension Scheme (defined benefits), staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, flexible working and much more. Explore the benefits of working at Hertfordshire on our benefits webpage.