Research Fellows in Gravitational-Wave Astrophysics x 2

Faculty of Technology

Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation

 

Research Fellows in Gravitational-Wave Astrophysics x 2

 

Employment type: Fixed-term for 3 years

Employment basis: Full-time

Salary: £35,845 - £39,152 per annum 

Post number: ZZ006501

Date published: 12 November 2020

Closing date: 13 December 2020  

Interview date: 19 & 20 January 2020

The University of Portsmouth is a dynamic and ambitious institution with a track record of success. One of only four universities in the south east of England to achieve a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework and ranked in the top 150 in the Times Higher Young University World Rankings.

We announce two research fellow positions in gravitational-wave astrophysics at the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG) at the University of Portsmouth. Both positions are funded through Dr Laura Nuttall’s Future Leaders Fellowship, ‘Multi-band, Multiple-messenger Astrophysics with LIGO, LISA and GOTO’.

One position will focus on the characterisation of compact binary mergers in the presence of non-Gaussian and non-stationary detector noise in LIGO. We will further be investigating and developing techniques to overcome the time-varying properties of LISA detector noise. In this position you will work closely with others in the LIGO and LISA collaborations, as well as the ICG gravitational-wave group.

The second position will focus on techniques to detect kilonovae using the Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO). This position will also develop a public engagement project through the Zooniverse to utilise the potential of citizen science to distinguish kilonovae signals from other transients in GOTO images. In this position you will work closely with others in the GOTO Consortium, as well as the ICG transients and gravitational-wave groups.

A PhD degree and relevant research level knowledge of gravitational-wave astrophysics or related areas are required. We expect each 3-year position to start around 1 April 2021, or later depending on the candidates availability.

The ICG consists of 20 academic staff, 16 postdoctoral researchers and around 30 PhD students, and has an active international visitors programme. Portsmouth is a member of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), the Dark Energy Survey (DES), the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), ESA’s Euclid satellite mission, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO), the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), the Gravitational Wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO), and other international collaborations. The University of Portsmouth is a member of the South-East Physics Network (SEPnet) and hosts the 3704-core SCIAMA supercomputer. More information is available at http://www.icg.port.ac.uk/

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, but applications are particularly encouraged from traditionally under-represented groups in science. The University of Portsmouth and the ICG hold Athena SWAN bronze awards and the University is an Institute of Physics Project Juno Supporter; these projects show a commitment to introduce organisational and cultural practices that promote diversity and equality in science and create a better working environment for people with all gender identities.

Applications (application form, CV, publication list and research statement for the position of interest) should be submitted via the University’s online application system by the closing date. Applicants should also arrange for up to three reference letters to be sent by email to [email protected], to arrive by the same date.

Please address informal enquiries to Dr Laura Nuttall ([email protected]).

All applications for this position will be processed and conducted in compliance with UK legislation relevant at that time.

Applications from candidates who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons and all appointments will be made on merit. As we are committed to the principles of the Race Equality Charter Mark, we would particularly welcome applications from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community who are currently under-represented at this level in this area.