HIPPO Multi-Wavelength Data Fusion and Machine Learning for Radio Continuum Surveys

The Inter-University Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy (IDIA) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for IDIA postdoctoral fellowships. IDIA is a partnership of three South African universities working on data intensive research associated with MeerKAT large survey projects, as well as large projects on other SKA pathfinder telescopes. We hereby seek applications for the following post:

HIPPO Multi-Wavelength Data Fusion and Machine Learning for Radio Continuum Surveys (Dr Mattia Vaccari). The Fellow will join the HELP-IDIA Panchromatic PrOject (HIPPO) and work with UWC/IDIA Researcher Dr Mattia Vaccari on developing techniques to best use multi-wavelength data for the scientific exploitation of MeerKAT Radio Surveys such as MIGHTEE and MeerKLASS. The Fellow will be expected to develop and optimize tools for the physical characterisation of radio sources applying SED fitting and/or machine learning techniques to multi-wavelength data, and (s)he will be encouraged to develop an independent research plan in MeerKAT survey science.

The HIPPO Fellow will be based at the University of the Western Cape, located in beautiful Cape Town, where astronomy research is also carried out at the University of Cape Town, the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory and the South African Astronomical Observatory. The fellowship is awarded for a period of two years in the first instance, and may be extended to a third year if agreed to by the host university, the postdoctoral fellow, and IDIA. The current value of a postdoctoral fellowship is ZAR 370,000 per annum (non-taxable), and this amount is supplemented by travel and equipment funding. The position can start immediately and ideally on 1st October 2018 or soon thereafter.

Informal equiries can be directed to Dr Mattia Vaccari <[email protected]>. The position will be open until filled, but applications submitted by e-mail to Ms Nicky Walker <[email protected]> with subject “HIPPO Postdoctoral Fellowship” or online at http://www.idia.ac.za/join-idia by August 17th will be ensured full consideration. A CV, cover letter with a brief statement of research interests, and two letters of reference should also be submitted via e-mail or online at http://www.idia.ac.za/join-idia by the deadline. Candidates attending the IAU General Assembly in Vienna should clearly indicate it in their application or in writing to Dr Mattia Vaccari <[email protected]> so that in-person interviews can be arranged.