The Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG, www.icg.port.ac.uk) intends to appoint an STFC funded Postdoctoral Researcher with expertise in integral field unit (IFU) spectroscopy to support its research in the Faculty of Technology at the University of Portsmouth.
The successful applicant will work on the project Mapping Nearby Galaxies at APO (MaNGA), which is part of the fourth generation Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-IV) being conducted on the Sloan 2.5m Telescope. MaNGA is an optical fiber-based multi-object IFU that is targeting 10,000 galaxies over a 6 year campaign that has started in 2014. MaNGA allows spatially resolved studies of stellar populations, gas physics and kinematics in galaxies in the multi-parameter space of galaxy properties, local environment, and halo mass for the very first time. The successful candidate will participate in the scientific analysis of MaNGA data with Prof Daniel Thomas and Prof Claudia Maraston within the SDSS-IV collaboration. A PhD in astronomy or physics is required. Expertise in galaxy evolution studies is essential, and experience with the analysis of IFU observations and galactic chemical evolution will be considered an advantage.
The ICG consists of 12 academic staff, 19 postdoctoral researchers and over 20 PhD students, and has an active international visitors programme. Portsmouth is a member of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-IV) and Dark Energy Survey, and recently the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) with involvement in the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) and other major international collaborations, including LIGO, ESA’s Euclid satellite mission and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). The University of Portsmouth is a member of the South-East Physics Network (SEPnet) and hosts the 3704-core SCIAMA supercomputer. More information is available at http://www.icg.port.ac.uk.
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, but applications are particularly encouraged from traditionally under-represented groups in science. The University of Portsmouth and the ICG hold Athena SWAN bronze awards which show a commitment to introduce organisational and cultural practices that promote diversity and equality and create a better working environment for women and men.
Applications (application form, CV, publication list and research proposal for the fellowship) should be submitted via the online application system by the closing date (12 February 2019, but late applications will be considered until post is filled). Applicants should also arrange for up to three reference letters to be sent by email to icg-admin@port.ac.uk, to arrive by the same date.
To find out more about the University of Portsmouth and this role, visit https://port.engageats.co.uk and apply on-line. All applications for this position will be processed and conducted in compliance with UK legislation relevant at that time.
For informal enquiries please contact Prof. Daniel Thomas (daniel.thomas@port.ac.uk) and/or Prof. Claudia Maraston (claudia.maraston@port.ac.uk).
Employment type: Fixed-term (3 years)
Employment basis: Full time
Salary: £34,520 to £37,706
Position number: ZZ005077
Closing date: 12 February 2019 (late applications will be considered until post is filled)
Start date: 1 September 2019
Interview dates will be : 25 – 26 February 2019
