Research Associate
Job Summary
Job Description
Research Associate
3 years fixed term
Curtin University is ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide (ARWU 2018 and QS World University Rankings 2019), and is placed 20th in the world for universities less than 50 years old (QS Top 50 Under 50 2019). Curtin is WA’s most preferred university, with highly engaged industry-facing partners. Curtin University is a major global player, with well-integrated campuses in Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius and Dubai.
About us
The Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy (CIRA) concentrates its research effort into a range of projects in radio astronomy, including aspects of next-generation telescopes. The institute has played a leading role in contributing high-impact engineering and science to the international Square Kilometre Array project.
CIRA comprises one half of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) Joint Venture with the University of Western Australia, as well as being a node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for All-sky Astrophysics in 3D (ASTRO-3D).
Your new role
Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy (CIRA) is seeking a Research Associate to join the Pulsars and Fast Transients research group. The role will involve further development of the high-time resolution science capabilities of the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), and exploiting them for sensitive searches for fast radio bursts (FRBs) and pulsars at low radio frequencies.
The MWA is currently undergoing a major upgrade that will result in a three-fold increase in the sensitivity for fast transient and pulsar science applications. The work will involve taking advantage of the initial capabilities of the MWA for low-frequency detections of FRBs, including an ability for rapid response and triggering on external alerts from co-located facilities such as the Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP). This is closely aligned with the CRAFT (Commensal Real-time ASKAP Fast Transients) project aimed at uncovering the emission physics of these enigmatic bursts and understanding their progenitors and signal propagation aspects through the intervening medium.
The position will also involve playing a key role in advancing the ongoing SMART (Southern-Sky MWA Rapid Two-metre) pulsar survey at the MWA. This low-frequency all-sky survey for pulsars and fast transients leverages the MWA's unique strengths, particularly a large field-of-view and the voltage-capture functionality, and has already made its first pulsar discoveries. A particular focus will be on accelerating the data processing and analysis efforts to enable sensitive searches that target binary and millisecond pulsars, and using them for wide-ranging science by undertaking prompt follow-ups of new discoveries with other large telescopes.
The successful applicant will work closely with members of the Curtin pulsars and fast transients team as well as with the members of the CRAFT and SMART collaborations based in Australia and overseas, and will contribute toward undergraduate teaching and student supervision.
What you will bring to the role
Essential:
- A doctoral qualification in a relevant discipline.
- The candidate must hold the right to work in Australia.
- Demonstrated understanding of high-time resolution radio-astronomy instrumentation.
- Demonstrated understanding of search and detection techniques for pulsars and fast radio transients, and a sound grasp of the related algorithms.
- Demonstrated ability to handle high-time resolution radio-astronomy data processing on high performance computing platforms.
Desirable:
- An understanding of radio interferometric techniques as applicable for high-time resolution science applications.
- Experience with the use of low-frequency radio-astronomy data for pulsar or fast transient research.
- Demonstrated ability to assist in undergraduate teaching, particularly the supervision of student research projects and contributing to the delivery of appropriate teaching units.
What we offer you
Working at CIRA, Curtin University will offer a competitive remuneration and benefits package, a friendly and collaborative work environment, generous leave entitlements, flexible working arrangements, generous superannuation, salary-packaging arrangements including childcare, and the potential to support dual-career arrangements.
What we need from you
You are encouraged to respond to the elements and requirements of the role, as they are outlined in the position description, providing examples that demonstrate your understanding of our needs and capacity to fulfil them. Please note, screening and interviews may take place prior to the advertised close date.
Valuing Diversity and Inclusion
At Curtin, we are committed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander reconciliation, diversity and social justice and aim to create an inclusive environment where our staff and students are valued and inspired. This includes a supportive recruitment process should you require any access assistance.
Application Close: 5pm AWST, Monday 29th October 2022
Curtin University has a bold vision to be one of the leading institutions in the Asia-Pacific region. Curtin is now entering an exciting phase as it focuses on further building its research capacity, and improving its already strong reputation for innovation in learning and teaching.
To learn more about us visit the below websites:
To apply complete the application form at: http://staff.curtin.edu.au/job-vacancies/?ja-job=391073
If you have query in relation to the application process please contact our careers team at [email protected]
If you would like further details about the role please contact Dr Ramesh Bhat at [email protected]
Please only apply via the link. Please do not send your resume direct to the above contact.
Disclaimer
Curtin reserves the right at its sole discretion to withdraw from the recruitment process, not to make an appointment, or to appoint by invitation, at any time.
Compensation and Benefits
AUD $74,108 - AUD $99,988 plus 17% superannuation
20 days annual leave per year (pro rata)