Postdoctoral position in computational astrophysics

The Astrophysics Group at the University of Exeter (UK) is seeking to recruit a Research Fellow to work with Dr. Clare Dobbs on the formation and evolution of stellar clusters. This fixed-term position is available for 4 years and is funded by the ERC project ICYBOB. The position is expected to start in autumn 2019 but could start as early as June 2019.

The primary aim of the project is to use numerical simulations of gas flow in spiral arms to investigate stellar cluster formation and evolution. The objectives will include investigating how the properties of stellar clusters relate to the initial conditions (e.g. densities, structure, large scale dynamics) of the molecular clouds from which they form, and examining the role of gas expulsion on cluster evolution. You will be expected to perform numerical simulations of cluster formation and evolution on different scales including investigating the effects of different stellar feedback processes.

The University of Exeter is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities. We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, and have achieved a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2017. The University of Exeter has over 22,000 students and 4600 staff from 180 different countries and has been rated the WhatUni2017 International Student Choice. Our research focuses on some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today, with 98% of our research rated as being of international quality in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students.

About you

You will:

- Possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study

- Have experience in hydrodynamical and / or N-body simulations, ideally in the fields of star formation or galaxy evolution

- Be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals, publish your research and make presentations at conferences and other events

What we can offer you

- Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research

- Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly

- An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development

- Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career

For further information please contact Dr Clare Dobbs [email protected] or (01392) 725197.

To view the Job Description and Person Specification document please click the link below.

As part of your application, please include a CV, list of publications and a summary of past research and future research plans.

Interviews are expected to take place early February.

The University of Exeter is an equal opportunity employer. We are officially recognised as a Disability Confident employer and an Athena Swan accredited institution. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented in the workforce.