STFC/RCUK Innovation Fellow

We seek to appoint a research fellow to work on the ‘Astrosense’ project, which aims to develop AI, machine learning and other techniques for the analysis of astrophysics data with a goal of translating the technology for application to remote sensing data. The project will involve collaboration with an industrial partner, where a key goal will be to advance the technology readiness level of existing R&D.

The post is funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council, as part of the UK Government funding for the Industrial Strategy Fund (ISCF), providing 3 years of support starting as soon as possible. The starting salary will be £34,520 per annum, incrementing annually.

The main duties of the post are to conduct research developing machine learning algorithms and other statistical techniques for the automatic analysis of astronomical imaging and other remote sensing data. The research will involve code development, but there will also be some element of hardware experimentation involved, for example in the development of autonomous drones and vehicles. The candidate will be expected to collaborate with the project’s industrial partner and participate in occasional meetings at the company’s UK headquarters. Funding for travel and subsistence will be provided.The candidate will be expected to have demonstrated some level of research independence in a relevant area.

Excellent coding skills are essential, preferably with fluency in C/C++ and/or Python. Experience with CUDA and/or Tensorflow are desirable. Applicants must hold a PhD in physics, astronomy, engineering, computer science or other relevant area or must have been approved for the award of such a PhD before taking up the position.

Applications should be submitted online via the recruitment website accompanied by PDF versions of a CV, publication list, a summary of previous research (not exceeding two sides of A4 paper), and the contact details of two referees willing to write on your behalf. Note that applicants to this position must be able to clear United Kingdom Security Vetting.