Astro 3D Research Fellow

Job Summary

Category
Post-doctoral Positions and Fellowships
Institution
Curtin University
Department
Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy
Number of Positions Available
1
Work Arrangement
In-Person

Job Description

The Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions (ASTRO 3D) spans seven (7) Australian universities, three (3) national infrastructure facilities, and seven (7) international partner institutions. ASTRO 3D combines Australia's leading optical, infrared and radio telescope technologies with sophisticated theoretical simulations and ambitious new data intensive science techniques to build a comprehensive picture of the evolution of matter, the chemical elements, and ionizing radiation in the Universe from the Epoch of Reionization to the present day.
  
Your new role

A prestigious ASTRO 3D Postdoctoral Fellowship in Australia is available for an outstanding early career researcher within the Curtin University node of the Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions.

  • Undertake cutting edge research in Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Work with a leading research facility
  • Flexibility in ASTRO 3D science program

Headed by Professor Lisa Kewley at the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, the Australian National University, the Centre of Excellence is offering one externally funded prestigious Postdoctoral Fellowship to an outstanding early career postdoctoral scientist to conduct independent, world-leading observational, computational, or theoretical research focused on the main Centre scientific programs.
  
This Fellowship is offered at the Curtin University node and is offered within and across any of the science programs in ASTRO 3D. The primary science program at the Curtin node is The Epoch of Reionization, led by Assoc. Professor Cathryn Trott, and a research plan that includes the Epoch of Reionization science program would be advantageous.

The Epoch of Reionization program uses the Murchison Widefield Array and future Square Kilometre Array in Western Australia to detect the sources at the Epoch of Reionization using restframe 21cm emission and to compare with the predictions of detailed theoretical
simulations.
  
Other ASTRO 3D Science Programs include:
  
First Stars: This program aims to discover the oldest and most metal-poor stars in and around the Milky Way using ANU's SkyMapper telescope and determining their chemical compositions by means of high-resolution spectroscopy with telescopes like Keck and Magellan to shed light on their formation, evolution and nucleosynthesis.
  
First Galaxies: This program aims to discover the first galaxies in the universe with JWST and to reveal their chemical and star formation properties. Galaxy Evolution: This research program, suitable for both theorists and observers, combines rest-frame UV, optical, and infrared Keck spectroscopy with large-scale numerical simulations to understand chemical evolution, mass build-up, and the accumulation of angular momentum in galaxies across cosmic time, as well as gas transport through and out of galaxies.
  
ASKAP Surveys: The Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder is conducting three large surveys (FLASH, WALLABY, and DINGO) to measure the mass and angular momentum through neutral hydrogen gas of hundreds of thousand galaxies over the past 6 billion years.
  
SAMI: the SAMI survey is providing data on the kinematics, morphology and stellar populations of more than 3000 galaxies. This project will use this data to explore the role of angular momentum in determining the morphologies and star formation histories of galaxies. It will compare observations to simulations of galaxy formation to test models of angular momentum evolution during galaxy assembly.
  
GALAH: The GALactic Archaeology with HERMES (GALAH) survey is an ambitious spectroscopic survey on the Anglo-Australian Telescope with the ultimate goal of determining the detailed chemical composition of a million stars in the Milky Way to unravel the full assembly, dynamical, chemical, star formation and merger history of the Galaxy.
  
Data Intensive Science: the Centre is reliant on the efficient collection, processing, storage and curation of vast amounts of data from the Centre’s scientific programs, requiring novel techniques and advanced algorithms to accomplish. The vibrant and diverse Australian astronomical research community has access to a broad array of facilities. These include the
optical/IR Anglo-Australian Telescope, Magellan, Gemini and Keck telescopes as well as the MWA and ASKAP radio telescopes. Australia is also strongly engaged in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) projects, and has joined the European Southern Observatory (ESO) with access to ESO facilities.
  
This Fellowship is tenable at the Curtin University ASTRO 3D node as host institution. Fellows may spend up to two (2) years visiting at another ASTRO 3D host institution or partner institution of their choice, and are encouraged to conduct research within more than one scientific program or to conduct collaborations across more than one host or partner institution.

ASTRO 3D host institutions are:

The Australian National University

The University of Sydney

The University of Melbourne

Swinburne University of Technology

The University of Western Australia

Curtin University

Monash University


ASTRO 3D partner institutions are:
  
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, The Anglo-Australian Observatory, The National Computational Infrastructure, The California Institute of Technology, The University of Washington (Seattle), The University of Toronto, Oxford University, The Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, The Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, The Chinese Academy of Sciences.
  
Essential criteria

A doctoral qualification in relevant discipline.

Expertise in at least one of the following areas: the Epoch of Reionisation, the First Stars, the First Galaxies, Galaxy Evolution, ASKAP surveys, the SAMI survey, the GALAH survey, and/or Data Intensive Astronomy Infrastructure

Evidence of a record of research outputs/creative works in high quality refereed journals/outlets consistent with the discipline.

Evidence of quality and impact of research outputs/creative works including journal ranking, citation indices, patents awarded, reputation and standing of publishing house or other outlets, independent review from distinguished scholars or critics, or equivalent esteem measures as appropriate to the discipline.

Demonstrated high level communication and interpersonal skills with a commitment to the development of a collegial and supportive working environment and the ability to interact with students and staff with cross cultural sensitivity.

Demonstrated commitment to applying relevant and applicable policies, procedures and legislation in the day-to-day performance of the functions of this position.

  
Desirable

Commitment to quality teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Demonstrated ability to supervise HDR students

A history of successful competitive grant applications.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation Range
$65,019USD to $77,160USD
Included Benefits

The salary ranges presented are those which are contained within the University's Enterprise Agreements; as are the employee benefits which include employer superannuation contribution at the rate of the current Government Superannuation Guarantee amount up to 17 percent, study assistance, a comprehensive salary packaging and wellness programs and flexible and family friendly work practices. This Fellowship may be undertaken full-time or part-time, subject to visa restrictions.

Application Details

Publication Start Date
2020 Feb 29
Application Deadline
2020 Apr 23

Inquiries

Name
Associate Professor Cathryn Trott