Research Fellow in Supernova Cosmology - School of Physics and AstronomyGrade 7
Research Fellow in Supernova Cosmology - School of Physics and AstronomyGrade 7
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£ 36130 - 45413
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Position Details
School of Physics and Astronomy
Location: University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range 36130 to 45413 with potential progression once in post to 48149
Grade: 7
Full Time Fixed Term contract up to August 2028
Closing date: 15th April 2025
UK and International travel may be required for this role
Background
The University of Birmingham Astrophysics and Space Research group is looking for one or more postdoctoral Research Fellows to work on cosmology transientsurveys and strong lensing. The position(s) are open to work with the group ofDr. Suhail Dhawan on the UKRI/ERC project NGCOSMO.
The projects can include (but not limited to):
- Inference of H0 with strong gravitationally lensed supernovae
- The local distance ladder measurement of H0
- Synergies between LSST and Euclid surveys
- Constraints on spatial curvature and cosmology with DESI
We are members of LSST and Euclid and the applicant will also have access to independent programs with SOAR Liverpool telescope GTC VLT and 4MOST as well as JWST/HST programs as part of large and diverse international collaborations. There are ample supercomputing resources from both local and international collaborative facilities. The position comes with a generous allowance to cover travels to conferences and research visits and guaranteed access to the universityshighperformance supercomputer BlueBEAR. Additionally the successful candidate will have the opportunity to supervise students acquire teaching experience participate in outreach activities organize international meetings and get any support or training needed for their personal and career development.
The School of Physics and Astronomy is a worldleading physics department excelling in both research and teaching. It hosts over 130 academic and research staff around 50 technical and support staff and over 130 graduate students. Our physics research was recently ranked top in the UK for 4starcategory research by the national Research Excellence Framework 2021 exercise.
The School is an Institute of Physics Juno Champion since 2014 and holder of an Athena SWAN Silver Award. Both initiatives recognise the Schools commitment to promote equality and diversity and to encourage better practice for all members of the community whilst also working towards developing an equitable working culture in which all staff can achieve their full welcome applications from all qualified applicants and encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented groups in Physics and Astronomy including but not limited to women and Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Groups.
Applications must include a CV statement of past and future research (no more than 2 pages in total) a brief cover letter and arrange to have three recommendations to be sent by email to Nicola Holloway by the application deadline.
Role Summary
- Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
- Operate within area of specialism
- Analyse and interpret research findings and results
- Contribute to generating funding
- Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues asset or company sales IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar
Main Duties
The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.
- Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research with assistance of a mentor if required
- Contribute to writing bids for research funding
- Analyse and interpret data
- Work on telescope time proposals and ongoing survey programs for transient observations
- Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
- Disseminate research findings for publication research seminars etc
- Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
- Contribute to developing new models techniques and methods
- Undertake management/administration arising from research
- Contribute to Departmental/School researchrelated activities and researchrelated administration
- Contribute to enterprise business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University often under supervision of a project leader
- Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods such as scientific experimentation literature reviews and research interviews
- Present research outputs including drafting academic publications or parts thereof for example at seminars conference presentations and as posters
- Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students (with the possibility of supervising year 4 and PhD students) who may be assisting with the research
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
- Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
Person Specification
- First degree in area of specialism andnormally a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
- PhD (or near to completion) in Physics or a related field
- Expertise in observations and theoretical modelling of strongly gravitationally lensed transients and their use in cosmology to measure the Hubble Constant
- High level analytical capability
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly
- Fluency in relevant models techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
- Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
- Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
- Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
- Coordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
- Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly
- Strong record of research in astronomy experience with timedomain astronomy appreciated but not required
- Ability to build relationships and collaborate with others
Informal enquiries to Suhail Dhawan email:
We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyoneon our website.
Employment Type
Full-Time
