Research Associate in ISM Physics and Star Formation

We seek applications to fill a STFC-funded position of Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Physics of Interstellar Medium and Star Formation.

The research associate will work on the data analysis and interpretation of millimetre-wave data probing the structure and dynamics of large-scale filamentary structures in the Milky Way. The aim of the study is to investigate the environmental variation of important molecular gas probes, in terms of their chemical abundances and excitation conditions, ultimately connecting these to the prevalence of star formation in molecular clouds in the Milky Way and galaxies in general. The work will make use of both observational data from the IRAM 30-meter and TRAO telescopes, and synthetic data produced for the purposes of physical interpretation.

We are seeking a researcher with an established track record in one or more of the aforementioned fields. Experience in working with millimetre-wave single dish and/or interferometric data and/or radiative transfer methods is desirable.

The research associate will work within the active Cardiff Hub for Astrophysics Research and Technology (CHART; https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/physics-astronomy/research/research-groups/chart), whose research spans a diverse range of topics including observations and numerical simulations of cloud, galaxy and cosmological structure formation, the physics of dust formation and destruction, supernovae, gravitational waves, transients, cosmology and the building of the next generation of ground- and space-based telescopes and instruments.

This is a full time fixed -term role, starting in April 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter, until 31st March 2025.
A completed, or near to completion, PhD in Physics, Astronomy, Astrophysics, or closely related area, is required.

Informal enquiries about the role can be made to Dr Sarah Ragan ([email protected]) or Phil Treadgold ([email protected])

For informal enquiries about working at Cardiff School of Physics and Astronomy please contact Courtney Watkins ([email protected])

Salary: £34,304 - £40,927 per annum (Grade 6)

Interview date: February 2022

Date advert posted: Thursday, 20 January 2022

Closing date: Thursday, 17 February 2022

Please NOTE: Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University and the School of Physics and Astronomy are committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity. Our inclusive environment welcomes applications from talented people from diverse backgrounds. We strongly welcome female applicants and those from any ethnic minority group, as they are underrepresented in our School. The School of Physics & Astronomy has a Juno Practitioner accreditation that recognises good employment practice and a commitment to develop the careers of women working in science. The University is committed to ensuring that we sustain a positive working environment for all staff to flourish and achieve. As part of this commitment, the University has developed a flexible and responsive framework of procedures to support staff in managing their work and personal commitments wherever possible. Applications are welcome from individuals who wish to work part-time or full time.

“Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/our-research-environment/integrity-and-ethics/responsible-research-assessment”