Research Assistant(s)/Associate(s)

Fixed-term: The funds for the post(s) are available until 30 April 2019.

The Institute of Astronomy (West Cambridge) expects to appoint, as soon as possible, one or more postdoctoral Research Assistant(s)/Associate(s) to join a research team based at the Kavli Institute for Cosmology Cambridge (KICC). The team mainly studies the Emergence of Structure during the Epoch of Reionization supported by an ERC Advanced Grant (PI: Martin Haehnelt). The research topic is interpreted broadly, to range from the first galaxies and massive black holes to the reionization of hydrogen and helium to the physical state of the Intergalactic Medium and its relation to galaxies in the post-reionization epoch. The IoA/KICC offers a vibrant research environment and has excellent access to observational and high-performance computing facilities.

The successful applicant(s) will be expected to pursue independent and collaborative research within the context of these research topics, develop a high degree of interaction with the faculty, postdoctoral researchers and research students, and actively contribute to the life of the department. They will disseminate their research findings via publications or other appropriate media, such as international workshops and conferences. They will be encouraged to participate in the teaching and learning programmes of the department as well as in the supervision of postgraduate research students and outreach events.

Applicants must have a PhD in Astronomy or a related field of have submitted by the time of appointment. Experience with modeling QSO absorption spectra is an advantage. Candidates must possess a scientific publication record and a clear outline of current and future research areas of interest. Applicants must have excellent communication and computing skills and are expected to produce scientific articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

The current Research salary scale is £25,728 - £30,688 (Research Assistant) and £31,604 - £38,833 (Research Associate) p.a., depending on experience, plus superannuation benefits.

To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the 'Apply' URL link below. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.

Please submit your application by midnight (GMT) of the closing date of Tuesday, 31st October 2017.

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) with publication record and research statement and covering letter and the contact details of three referees. The names and contact details of the referees are a necessary part of the submission. Referees will be contacted following your application but applicants are strongly advised to prepare nominated referees for the need to provide references by the deadline of Midnight (GMT) Tuesday, 7th November 2017.

Please quote reference LG13436 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy .Further information can be obtained from Professor Martin Haehnelt (haehnelt(at)ast.cam.ac.uk).

The IoA is committed to providing a family friendly environment for researchers and is ensuring 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

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