Post-doctoral positions in cosmology, galaxy formation and dark matter, stellar science, exoplanets and high energy astrophysics at the School of Physics and Astronomy of the Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai campus

The School of Physics and Astronomy of the Sun Yat-sen University (SPA@SYSU) announces the opening of 4 post-doctoral positions in cosmology, galaxy formation and dark matter, stellar science, exoplanets to work on the preparation of the Chinese Space Station Telescope (CSST), plus one postdoctor working on the foreground removal pipeline for the AliCPT project, and one postdoctor working on the LHAASO project.  

CSST: The Chinese Space Station Telescope is a 2-meter space telescope with wide wavelength coverage (from UV to z) and large field of view (1.1 deg2) that will be located in the same orbit of the China Manned Space Station. CSST will start operation around 2024 and will simultaneously perform photometric imaging and slitless grating spectroscopic surveys with high spatial resolution 0.15’’ of 17,500-square-degrees of the sky, and collect data for billions of galaxies and stars. CSST will also run a dedicated survey for exoplanets using transiting and micro-lensing technique. Some of the positions will be specifically dedicated to the development of simulations and machine learning techniques for cosmology, structure and formation of galaxies, gravitational lensing, and stellar and exoplanet science.

AliCPT: AliCPT is a CMB experiment located at Tibet of China with two frequency bands, 95/150 GHz. It will be the first ground-based CMB experiment in the northern hemisphere of the Earth. The successful candidate will work with Prof. Le Zhang (SYSU) on developing a foreground removal pipeline. Candidate should have experience in CMB data analysis with particular emphasis on galactic astrophysical foregrounds and component separation techniques. Strong computational skills are desirable.

LHAASO：A cosmic ray detection facility located in the high mountains of Sichuan province. The experiment mainly includes four detector arrays：the ground-based particle detector array KM2A, electromagnetic particle detectors (ED), underground muon detectors (MD) and Wide Field Cherenkov light Telescopes (WFCTs). Our group in SYSU is mainly focusing on gamma-ray astronomy and data analysis. 

Candidates are expected to have proven experience in his/her relevant research field and a good track record of publications in leading scientific journals. Kknowledge of machine-learning techniques and N-body/hydrodynamic simulations will be recommended for some of the positions, although not mandatory. No teaching duties are required.

All candidates will have the chance to use up-to-date existing datasets (e.g. KiDS, DES, HSC, SDSS, HST, LAMOST, CFHT, P200) as pathfinder for developing analysis tools to apply to CSST data, and existing simulations (e.g. Illustris, MultiDark, DIANOGA) to either compare observations and simulations or to train machine-learning algorithms.

Candidates will be encouraged to work on projects that foresee synergies with other space (Euclid, TESS, PLATO, WFIRST) and ground (e.g. SKA, LSST, 4MOST, DESI，CCTA) future missions. A fraction of the successful candidates' time is expected to be devoted to independent research. 

The appointment is for three years with the possibility to be renewed for further three years after a performance assessment. The salary will be very competitive (230,000 RMB/year with further performance-related bonus) given the average cost of life in the Zhuhai city of Guangdong Province and the possibility to have access to accommodation with facilitated rent provided by the Campus. The SPA@SYSU encourages Dual Career applications for couples working in one or different areas included in this opening.

The University

Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) was founded in 1924 and currently hosts five campuses: three in the cosmopolitan city of Guangzhou, one in Shenzhen, and one in Zhuhai, a beautiful seashore town next to Macau. SYSU has developed into a comprehensive university covering a wide range of disciplines including arts, science, and technology. At the heart of the Pearl River region, it aims to become a leading educational and academic institution in southern China.

The School

The School of Physics and Astronomy (SPA) is situated in the Zhuhai campus. It is committed to cutting-edge research of the highest quality in astrophysics, cosmology, gravitation, quantum physics, space science, and theoretical physics. In particular, it plays a leading role in the development of the TianQin project: a space-borne gravitational wave detector. It also aims to produce undergraduates and graduates with a strong foundation in physics and astrophysics.

The Research Group

The Astrophysics group currently has interests in cosmology, galaxy formation, gravitational wave astrophysics, high energy astrophysics, stars and exoplanets. The group has recently installed a cluster dedicated to numerical simulations. The supercomputer Tianhe-2 is also operating by SYSU and accessible. Group members are involved in projects including TianQin, and science involving CAS South America Center for Astronomy (CASSACA), Fermi, H.E.S.S.-II, SDSS-IV, KiDS, GAMA and data from ESO facilities.

Application Material and Deadline: Candidate should arrange a CV, a list of publications and a short research statement to be sent (depending on the area of application) to prof. Xiao-Dong Li ([email protected], cosmology, large-scale structure of the Universe), prof. Nicola R. Napolitano ([email protected], galaxy formation and dark matter), prof. Weishan Zhu ([email protected], hydrodynamic simulation, IGM), prof. Baitian Tang ([email protected], stellar science), prof. Bo Ma ([email protected], exoplanets), prof. Le Zhang ([email protected], CMB data analysis) or prof. Lili Yang ([email protected], high energy astrophysics). Short listed candidate will be asked to fill a final application form and arrange three letters of reference. Applications received by Jan 15 2021 will receive full consideration, but applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. However, the SPA@SYSU will continue to accept applications from exceptional candidates for the next three years upon availability of  funds.

SPA@SYSU staff URL: http://www.zhiqihuang.top/astro/users.php