Research Associate Astrophysics

Salary:

Research Assistant: 33002 - 33951 per annum

Research Associate; 35608 - 37694 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 11 January 2025

The Role

The School of Mathematics Statistics and Physics (MSP) at Newcastle University are seeking to recruit a fixed-term Research Assistant/Associate in extragalactic astrophysics to join an exciting UKRI-funded research program managed by Dr Chris Harrison. The post will be hosted at Newcastle and will involve working closely with collaborators at Durham University via Prof. Dave Alexander and his team.

The project will combine observations with predictions from hydrodynamic simulations to make significant scientific progress in understanding how Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) influence the formation and evolution of galaxies. There is a particular interest in understanding the role of dust and obscuration in driving AGN feedback.

This post is expected to focus on spectroscopic surveys including 4MOST and MOONS. Newcastle and Durham are members of the extragalactic surveys of MOONRISE and the 4MOST IR AGN surveys both of which are expected to start operations in 2026. There will also be close ties with collaborators based in Garching (Germany) at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE).

In addition to project-specific activities you will be encouraged to pursue your own related independent research interests and training/development. Furthermore you will be encouraged to undertake outreach/engagement activities particularly those designed to increase accessibility and inclusion to science e.g. through Newcastles Audio Universe project.

Successful applicants will join the growing astronomy and astrophysics group at Newcastle University which has wider expertise in galaxy evolution cosmology compact objects stellar evolution and magneto-hydrodynamic simulations. Furthermore you will be part of the Newcastle-Durham Accretion Alliance collaboration which is a network of those interested in accretion related physics across the two institutions.

The post can commence from March 2026 and is provisionally expected to last until February 2029.. Funds are available for travel training and other support.

We embrace equity and particularly welcome applications from community members that are under-represented in physics and/or if you have demonstrable experience in showing a commitment to equity diversity and inclusion then please outline this in your application.

We are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment.

We would be happy to discuss arrangements for flexible and/or blended working.

To apply please complete the online application attaching a CV covering letter and 3-page research statement.

In your covering letter please outline how you are either working towards meet or exceed all the essential requirements for the role holder.

For all information enquiries please contact Dr Chris Harrison via email:

For more information see the following:

• The 4MOST IR AGN survey. MOONS spectrograph. Chris Harrisons personal webpage. Dave Alexanders personal webpage. wider astrophysics and observational cosmology research group at :// Audio Universe project. Accountabilities

  The main duties and responsibilities are as follows:

  • Conduct the data analysis and research along the lines of the programme of the funded project.
  • Work successfully in a research team and wider collaborators to publish world-leading research.
  • Present outputs of the research from the research team to scientific and non-scientific audiences in written and oral form.
  • Contribute to the positive culture and general strengths of the research group and the School; for example through supervision of project students participation in outreach leading initiatives to promote Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and organising/ participating in research events.
  • Any other duties that may be required from time to time commensurate with the grade of the post.

  The Person (Essential)

  Knowledge Skills and Experience

  • Excellent technical skills in analysing and interpreting spectroscopic datasets specifically related to extragalactic observations.
  • An excellent knowledge of extragalactic astrophysics ideally related to galaxy evolution and active galactic nuclei (AGN).
  • A track record of high-quality research outputs related to the goals of the project (e.g. publications software research tools etc.)
  • Excellent communication skills including the ability to write creatively for publications and concisely for communications.
  • A track record of presenting research at conferences symposia or meetings commensurate with stage of career.
  • Experience working with and planning for large spectroscopic surveys. (Desirable)
  • Experience working with multi-wavelength datasets (such as X-rays and infrared photometric data) to help interpret the results from the spectroscopic data. (Desirable)
  • An understanding of AGN feedback models and their implementation in hydrodynamic simulations (Desirable)
  • Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals in collaboration with other academics. (Desirable)
  • Experience in creating and/or delivery activities designed to make science more accessible and inclusive and/or to promote science to the general public. (Desirable)

  Attributes and Behaviours

  • Ability to work independently using own initiative and to meet strict deadlines.
  • Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team including participating in research meetings and working on joint research projects.
  • A commitment to the values of equality diversity and inclusion in all aspects of your work.
  • Demonstrable commitment to promoting a positive and healthy research culture (e.g. by actively supporting/mentoring students supporting initiatives to improve the work environment etc.) (Desirable)
  • An interest in student supervision (postgraduate and undergraduates). (Desirable)

  Qualifications

  • Associate Level PhD awarded in a relevant discipline
  • Assistant level Honours degree in relevant subject and working towards PhD in relevant discipline with demonstrable professional experience.

  Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

  We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

  At Newcastle University we hold a GoldAthena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality CharterBronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

  In addition we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

  Requisition ID: 28824