Fellowship and Postdoctoral Research Positions in Observational and Theoretical Cosmology and Extragalactic Astronomy

We invite applications for theoretical and observational postdoctoral positions (up to 3 years) within the broad area of extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. We are particularly interested in candidates with research interests in the following areas: numerical simulations of structure formation, dark matter, the Milky Way, the analysis of galaxy surveys, dark energy and modified gravity, gravitational lensing by clusters, absorption-line studies of the intergalactic medium, observational multiwavelength studies of the formation and evolution of galaxies and AGN, and the astrophysics of accreting black holes. However, excellent candidates with interests outside of these areas are also encouraged to apply.

At least one of these positions is expected to be in the area of the physics of the intergalactic/circumgalactic medium, funded by the European Research Council (ERC), initially for up to 3 years but with the possibility of a further extension subject to funding availability. The successful candidate(s) will work within the Durham IMAGE group (http://astro.dur.ac.uk/image/) which is exploiting HST and MUSE/VLT large programmes together with hydrodynamic simulations to study how inflows and outflows shape the evolution of galaxies. Applicants with expertise in absorption line spectroscopy,    IFU spectroscopy, and in the development of hydrodynamic simulations are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants should indicate if they have an interest in these ERC positions in their application material. Please contact Dr. Michele Fumagalli ([email protected]) for more details.

Another three-year position, also funded by the European Research Council, is expected to be in the area of modified gravity and dark energy. The successful candidate will have interest in such models and will work with members of the ICC to develop tests of them using next-generation cosmological observations. Applicants with experience in galaxy surveys and expertise in theoretical and/or observational aspects of the following areas are particularly welcome: gravitational lensing, galaxy clustering, clusters of galaxies and novel probes. Applicants should indicate if they have an interest in this ERC position in their application. Please contact Dr. Baojiu Li ([email protected]) for more details.

Durham University hosts one of the largest research groups in Europe dedicated to observational and theoretical cosmology, extragalactic astronomy and advanced instrumentation. Currently we have 31 permanent members of staff and around 120 fellows, postdocs and students. The Durham group is ranked joint-fifth in the world in terms of our research impact. The Institute for Computational Cosmology is a member of the Virgo Consortium and has extensive supercomputing resources, including a number of large dedicated supercomputers at Durham. Members of the Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy have access to all  UK national observing facilities, including ESO, ALMA and ESA, and membership of the KMOS guaranteed time team, the NuSTAR, UK LOFAR, PAUS and MOONS teams. Durham, through the ICC and CEA, is also partner of the DESI, 4MOST, Euclid, LSST, JCMT, NuSTAR, and e-MERLIN collaborations and surveys. Further information may be found at http://www.astro.dur.ac.uk/CEA/ and http://icc.dur.ac.uk/.

For all posts, salaries are in the range £32,548-£38,832 and research support will be at standard UK rates. The starting dates are negotiable.

Applicants for all posts should send their curriculum vitae, a publication list and a statement of research interests (as a single combined PDF file) to [email protected], or by post to: Sabine Schindler, Physics Department, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE UK (reference 'Postdoc'). In addition, applicants should also arrange for up to three letters of recommendation to be sent to [email protected] or by post to Sabine Schindler (reference 'Postdoc') at the address above. To ensure full consideration, complete applications, including references should be received by 17th December 2017. Electronic submission of both applications and references (as PDF files) is encouraged.