Research Assistant/Associate x 2 (Fixed Term)

Fixed-term: The funds for these posts are available for 3 years in the first instance.

Two postdoctoral positions are available at the Institute of Astronomy, funded by a Leverhulme Grant to Professors Vasily Belokurov and Wyn Evans.

Candidates should hold a PhD (or be near to completion) in astronomy, physics, maths or a related field and have research expertise in one or more of the following fields: galactic astronomy and dynamics, numerical simulations of galaxy formation, machine learning and computational statistics, astronomical spectroscopy, wide-field surveys, or any allied areas of theoretical/observational astrophysics. Expertise with handling large datasets is a distinct advantage. Prior experience with photometric, astrometric and spectroscopic surveys such as Gaia, SDSS, DES and APOGEE is also helpful.

Appointment at Research Associate level (grade 7) requires proof of PhD award and the salary range is from £32,816 to £40,322. For those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD, the appointment will initially be made as Research Assistant (grade 5) with a salary range of £26,715 to £30,942 but later amended to Research Associate on proof of award.

Informal inquires may be directed to Vasily Belokurov (vasily(at)ast.cam.ac.uk) or Wyn Evans (nwe(at)ast.cam.ac.uk) in the first instance.

The positions are available from 1/10/2021, with deferred start dates up to 6 months possible for suitable candidates.

Review of applications will begin on 1/09/2021 and continue until the positions are filled.

The University of Cambridge thrives on the diversity of its staff and students. The Institute particularly welcomes applications from women and/or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented. We have an active Equality and Diversity Committee which continually works to further the aims of the Athena SWAN charter. The University has a number of family-friendly policies and initiatives, including a returning-carer scheme, childcare costs support, university workplace nurseries, university holiday play- schemes, and a shared parental-leave policy. As part of its commitment to providing a family-friendly environment for researchers, the IoA ensures that should parental leave be needed during the course of employment, there is provision for extension to contract to compensate for the parental leave taken.