Research Associate in the Dynamics and Ages of Young Stellar Clusters

Fixed Term for 3 years

Starting salary: Grade 7 £32,548 - £39,992

Keele University wishes to appoint a Research Associate starting from April 2018 (no later than 1 October), to conduct research into the dynamics and ages of young stellar clusters.

The appointee will work with Prof Rob Jeffries and colleagues within the Astrophysics group at Keele University, as part of an STFC-funded project to use new data from the Gaia-ESO spectroscopic survey at the Very Large Telescope and from ESA's Gaia astrometry satellite, to calibrate the ages of young stellar clusters and establish their membership, chemical abundances and dynamical properties. The aim is to constrain and improve models for the formation and evolution of young stars, their planets and circumstellar matter, and the dynamical evolution of their birth environments.

The PDRA will lead the analysis and combination of data for young clusters from the Gaia-ESO and Gaia surveys,. The work will involve establishing calibrated and consistent age scales, determining cluster membership and developing novel methods to investigate their dynamical status. The PDRA will also contribute to the other project components and be encouraged to develop their own research program and leadership skills. 

Applicants should have or expect to obtain a PhD in astrophysics or related area and should have a demonstrated aptitude for research and specifically in the areas of young stars or stellar clusters. A strong publication record and experience working with Gaia or Gaia-ESO data would be highly desirable.

To apply, visit www.keele.ac.uk/vacancies

Keele University is committed to equality and diversity across our workforce. We strive to ensure that our workforce is representative of broader society, and therefore, we would actively welcome applications from women for this role.