Research Assistant/Associate in CMB Cosmology (Fixed Term)

Submission Information
Publish Date: 
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Archive Date: 
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Job Summary
Job Category: 
Post-doctoral Positions and Fellowships
Institution Classification/Type: 
Foreign
Institution/Company: 
University of Cambridge
Department Name: 
Institute of Astronomy
City: 
Cambridge
State/Province: 
Cambridgeshire
Country: 
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Announcement
Job Announcement Text: 

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

The Institute of Astronomy (IoA), Cambridge, invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher position in cosmic microwave background (CMB) cosmology to work within Anthony Challinor's group. The research will be focused on scientific interpretation of the first temperature and polarization data from the Simons Observatory and its combination with other CMB and large-scale structure datasets.

The IoA provides a vibrant research environment in cosmology. The interdepartmental Kavli Institute for Cosmology, Cambridge (KICC) is co-located on the IoA site, fostering connections with other groups conducting complementary cosmological research across Cambridge.

The successful applicant will be expected to pursue independent and collaborative research, develop a high degree of interaction with the faculty, other postdoctoral researchers, and research students, and actively contribute to the life of the department and of KICC. 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.

For the present position, expertise in the analysis of CMB data, or other cosmological datasets, would be particularly valuable. Candidates with experience of CMB lensing, CMB polarization or cluster cosmology may be of particular interest.

Applicants must have a PhD in Astronomy or a related field, or have satisfied the requirements for the PhD, by the time of appointment. Applicants 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.

A successful candidate who has not been awarded their PhD will be under appointed at Grade 5 (Research Assistant - £27,116 to £31,406 per annum) and upon award, promoted to Grade 7 (Research Associate - £33,309 to £40,927 per annum).

The University of Cambridge thrives on the diversity of its staff and students. The Institute particularly welcomes applications from women and/or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented. We have an active Equality and Diversity Committee which continually works to further the aims of the Athena SWAN charter. The University has several family-friendly policies and initiatives, including a returning-carer scheme, childcare costs support, university workplace nurseries, university holiday play-schemes, and a shared parental-leave policy. As part of its commitment to providing a family-friendly environment for researchers, the IoA ensures 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.

Click the 'Apply' link below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please submit your application by 23:59 GMT of the closing date of Wednesday 22nd December 2021. Please refer to further particulars for full instructions and be aware that referees will be asked to supply reference letters by 4th January 2022. If you have any queries about your application please contact Ms Joy McSharry (hr(at)ast.cam.ac.uk). Informal enquires may be addressed to Professor Anthony Challinor (a.d.challinor(at)ast.cam.ac.uk).

Please quote reference LG29153 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Included Benefits: 

What the University of Cambridge can offer https://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/offer/

Application Deadline: 
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Selection Deadline: 
Monday, January 31, 2022
Current Status of Position: 
Accepting Applicants
Apply to Job
Attention To: 
Professor Anthony Challinor
Inquiries About Job
Attention To: 
Professor Anthony Challinor
Subject: 
LG29153
Email: 
a.d.challinor(at)ast.cam.ac.uk