Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Transient Astronomy

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with expertise in time domain astronomy, with a focus on fast-evolving transients.  This is a 3-year position at the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne University, in collaboration with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav).

The Fellow will help progress the Deeper, Wider, Faster (DWF) program that explores fast (millisecond-to-hours duration) multi-wavelength time domain science along with pursuing their own research.  DWF is a Swinburne-led program involving over 70 multi-wavelength (radio through gamma-ray) and particle detector observatories worldwide and in space, for coordinated simultaneous real time fast transient detection, rapid and later-time follow up, and very early detection of slower evolving events. 

The appointee will help lead DWF coordinated operational runs, further develop the DWF multi-wavelength database and citizen science program, and produce DWF-related science publications, with a generous fraction of their time available to pursue their own research.  If interested, the Fellow is welcome to pursue additional DWF-related opportunities, such as progressing advanced data visualisation techniques, including our virtual and augmented reality data analysis project, helping to progress our data sonification tools for fast data verification and to enable data access and analysis to the blind and visually-impaired community, and to participate in Swinburne-led instrumentation projects underway aimed at progressing fast transient astronomy, including the DREAMS wide-field infrared telescope at Siding Spring Observatory in Australia, an infrared telescope at Dome A in the Antarctic, and the development of a wide-field optical camera for the Keck Observatory.

Skills and Experience

To be successful in this role you will require a PhD in observational astrophysics with research interests and experience in time domain astronomy.  Demonstrable research skills in transient astronomy are essential, as evidenced by publications and/or technical skills through community code development.

Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing

The Centre, located in Melbourne, ranks among the best in the world and is one of Australia’s largest astronomy research institutes, hosting over 20 faculty, 20 post-doctoral researchers, 50 PhD students and many visiting international researchers.  Swinburne is one of the few universities in the world with guaranteed access to the W.M. Keck Observatory telescopes in Hawaii.  In addition, our astronomers have access to ESO and Australian telescopes and regularly obtain time on HST, VLT, Magellan, AAT, ATCA, Parkes, ASKAP and many other major facilities.  Swinburne hosts the headquarters of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav) and the next generation Australian Supercomputer for Theoretical Astrophysics (OzSTAR), with petaflops performance and state-of-the-art 2D and 3D visualisation facilities.   

Living in Melbourne

Melbourne is top ranked for its quality of life and as a destination for working abroad (ranked #1 or #2 in the world since 2010).  Melbourne is a cosmopolitan city with a mild climate and plenty of sunshine, with ocean, mountains, and wildlife nearby.  The city offers a diverse range of nightlife, restaurants, entertainment, festivals, and culture, while featuring numerous parks, open spaces and excellent public transportation. 

How to Apply

 See the full position description here and follow the instructions to apply online.  Applications must include a cover letter, CV with publications and skills listed, and a 2-page research plan that describes the research you would like to pursue as part of the OzGrav team.  Three letters of reference are to be submitted independently by the referees to Jeff Cooke at [email protected] by the deadline.

Application Deadline: Tuesday, June 30, 2020