Claudia Maraston held two public lectures on December 11 at 4.30pm and 6.30pm at the Winchester Science Center (previously Intech) in Winchester, entitled “Shining Galaxies in a Dark Universe”. Both lectures were well attended, especially the evening’s one, which featured a nearly full theatre with over 140 attendees. Many young students and teachers were present (see pictures) who judged the lecture ‘inspirational’. Several expressed interest to spend their student placement at the ICG to work as real scientists.
Postdoctoral Researcher in IFU Galaxy Evolution
Employment type: Fixed term contract (2 years commencing 1 September 2014, with a possible extension)
Employment basis: Full-time
Salary: £27,854 – £31,331
Date published: 12 December 2013
Closing date: 3 February 2014
Interview dates: Interviews will be scheduled between 24 and 28 February 2014
The Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG, www.icg.port.ac.uk) intends to appoint a Postdoctoral Researcher with expertise in integral field unit (IFU) spectroscopy and data processing development to support its research in the Faculty of Technology at the University of Portsmouth.
The post is offered as a fixed-term contract for two years with a possible third year extension contingent upon progress and funding.
The successful applicant will work on the upcoming project Mapping Nearby Galaxies at APO (MaNGA), which is part of the fourth generation Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-IV) to be conducted on the Sloan 2.5m Telescope. MaNGA is an optical fiber-based multi-object IFU that will target 10,000 galaxies over a 6 year campaign with start of survey operations on July 1st 2014. MaNGA will allow the internal kinematics and spatially-resolved properties of stellar populations and gas inside galaxies to be studied as a function of local environment and halo mass for the very first time. The successful candidate will participate in the development of MaNGA’s data processing software and in the scientific analysis of MaNGA data with Dr Daniel Thomas, Dr Karen Masters, Dr Claudia Maraston, and other MaNGA team members at the ICG and within the SDSS-IV collaboration.
The ICG consists of 12 academic staff, 12 postdoctoral researchers and 20 PhD students, and is a member of the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys (SDSS-III and SDSS-IV), the Dark Energy Survey, the UK Low Frequency Array (LOFAR:UK) and the UK National Cosmology Supercomputer Consortium (COSMOS). The University of Portsmouth is a member of the South-East Physics Network (SEPnet) and hosts the 1000-core SEPnet-ASTRO supercomputer (SCIAMA). More information is available at http://www.icg.port.ac.uk.
The start date will be 1st September 2014, or as soon as possible thereafter. We expect to make an appointment for two years with the possibility of renewal for a third year based on satisfactory performance and available funding. The salary range will be from £27,854 to £31,331 per year, and will be based on experience of the successful applicant.
A PhD in astronomy or physics is required. Experience with data processing of large data sets and software development is preferable, and previous involvement in IFU observations and analysis will be considered an advantage. Experience with or interest in stellar population analysis and/or kinematics would be useful.
Applications (application form, CV, publication list and research statement) should be submitted via the online application system at https://port.engageats.co.uk by the closing date, 3rd February 2014. Applicants should also arrange for up to three reference letters and application materials to be sent by email to icg-admin@port.ac.uk, to arrive by the same date.
Late applications may be considered; please contact the HR Recruitment team via hrrecruitment@port.ac.uk for details on how to apply.
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, but applications are particularly encouraged from traditionally under-represented groups in science. The University of Portsmouth is member of the Athena SWAN charter and an Institute of Physics Project Juno Supporter; these projects show a commitment to introduce organisational and cultural practices that promote gender equality in science and create a better working environment for men and women.
For informal enquiries please contact Daniel Thomas and Karen Masters via email at (daniel.thomas@port.ac.uk, karen.masters@port.ac.uk) or by calling +44 (0)23 9284 5151.
For detailed information about the vacancy, please select this link: 10010556 – Senior Research Associate in IFU Galaxy Evolution.doc
Stargazing LIVE in January 2014
The Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation is collaborating with locations at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard (including HMS Warrior 1860 and Action Stations) once again to put on a massive Stargazing LIVE event, on Tuesday January 7th 2014.
This year our event was selected by BBC Learning be one of three main national events tied into the successful BBC2 TV show. The event will be managed by BBC Learning and involve many partners, including ICG, who will be the main astronomy experts on hand to chat with the public. Visitors will get the chance to see amazing science demos, stunning images from the world’s best telescopes, and even try their hand at participating in massive citizen science projects.
Tickets are available via a lottery which is open until 11.55pm Tuesday 10 December. Visit www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours
A Visit from Space makes The News
Earlier this year, the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation launched a new free educational outreach activity in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth Education Liaison and Outreach Team (ELOT). “UP for Space: A Visit from Space” has visited five primary schools in the Portsmouth area since June 2013 (St Swithun’s Catholic Primary School, Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School, Northern Parade Junior School, Portsmouth High Junior School and Charles Dickens Primary School), getting excellent enthusiasm and feedback from both pupils and teachers. Our latest visit to Charles Dickens Infant School on 3 December 2013 has been covered by the Portsmouth News and the University of Portsmouth News.
The core visiting team is composed of Claudia Maraston, Daniel Thomas and Jen Gupta, with help from other ICG members in turn, including David Wilkinson, Claire Le Cras, Edd Edmondson, Karen Masters, Tom Melvin and Jimmy Tarr. The visits are organised by Suzy Gray from ELOT who arranges the booking and timetable of the visit. The programme will visit more schools in 2014, if you are interested in A Visit from Space coming to your Key Stage 3 class then please contact the University of Portsmouth Education Liaison and Outreach Team.
ICG researcher at the Female Knowledge Festival
ICG member Claudia Maraston was invited to the first regional festival of “Female Knowledge” in northern Italy. The event, lasting two days and sponsored by the City Council, the regional council, the Illy Caffe’ enterprise and the European Community, aimed at gathering successful female experts in various fields of knowledge, spanning from medicine to literature to academics, to tell their experience and answer questions from the public. Hosted in the city theatre, the event gathered hundreds of participants. The picture below shows four out of the eight invited speakers, from left to right: Marilena Capat, who writes best-selling turistic guides out of her own experience in european capitals, and lives in London; Miriam Blasich, cartoonist, who describes via cartoon the ancient traditions of the north-east and Istria using modern figures and language; Claudia Maraston (ICG), world-renowned astrophysicist; Marina Bortul, oncological surgeon, Head of the Surgeon Clinic of the Trieste hospital and full professor at the University.
Postdoctoral research positions at the ICG
We are now accepting applications for a number of postdoctoral research positions at the ICG.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Cosmology and Astrophysics – 10010307
Postdoctoral Researcher in Theoretical Cosmology – 10010310
Postdoctoral Researchers in Cosmology and Astrophysics – 10010308, 10010309, 10010312
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Cosmology and Astrophysics – 10010307
External link
Employment type: Fixed-term contract (5 years)
Employment basis: Full-time
Salary: £32,267 to £35,244
Date published: 25 November 2013
Closing date: 10 January 2014
Interview dates: Interviews will be scheduled between 15 and 31 January 2014
The Institute of Cosmology & Gravitation (ICG) intends to appoint a postdoctoral research fellow in cosmology and astrophysics. The researcher will work on the “Darksurvey” project funded by the European Research Council (ERC), designed to develop techniques for, and make cosmological measurements from, galaxy surveys. The researcher will help to manage the team of researchers working on this project, including PhD student supervision.
A PhD degree and relevant research experience are required. The post is for five years with an anticipated start date of 1 October 2014, or earlier if necessary.
The ICG consists of 12 academic staff, 12 postdoctoral researchers and 20 PhD students, and is a member of the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys (SDSS-III and SDSS-IV), the Dark Energy Survey, the UK Low Frequency Array (LOFAR:UK) and the Euclid Consortium. The University of Portsmouth is a member of the South-East Physics Network (SEPnet)2 and hosts the 1000-core SEPnet-ASTRO supercomputer (SCIAMA). For further information, please visit the ICG website at www.icg.port.ac.uk.
For informal enquiries about this position please contact Will Percival (email will.percival@port.ac.uk ), or by calling +44 (0)23 9284 3107.
Applications (application form, CV, publication list and research statement) should be submitted via the online application system at https://port.engageats.co.uk by the closing date, 10 January 2014. Applicants should also arrange for up to three reference letters and application materials to be sent by email to icg-admin@port.ac.uk, to arrive by the same date.
Late applications may be considered; please contact the HR Recruitment team via hrrecruitment@port.ac.uk for details on how to apply.
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, but applications are particularly encouraged from traditionally under-represented groups in science. The University of Portsmouth is member of the Athena SWAN charter and an Institute of Physics Project Juno Supporter; these projects show a commitment to introduce organisational and cultural practices that promote gender equality in science and create a better working environment for men and women.
For more detailed information about this vacancy, please select this link: 10010307 Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Cosmology.doc
Postdoctoral Researcher in Theoretical Cosmology – 10010310
External link
Employment type: Fixed-term contract (2 years)
Employment basis: Full-time
Salary: £27,854 to £31,331
Date published: 25 November 2013
Closing date: 3 January 2014
Interview dates: Interviews will be scheduled between 8 and 24 January 2014
The Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG) intends to appoint a postdoctoral researcher in theoretical cosmology. The researcher will work on projects funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), in particular models of inflation in the very early universe, reheating and cosmological perturbations.
A PhD degree and relevant research experience are required. The post is for two years, with an anticipated start date of 1 October 2014.
The ICG consists of 12 academic staff, 12 postdoctoral researchers and 20 PhD students, and is a member of the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys (SDSS-III and SDSS-IV), the Dark Energy Survey, the UK Low Frequency Array (LOFAR:UK) and the Euclid Consortium. The University of Portsmouth is a member of the South-East Physics Network (SEPnet)2 and hosts the 1000-core SEPnet-ASTRO supercomputer (SCIAMA). For further information, please visit the ICG website at www.icg.port.ac.uk.
For informal enquiries about particular projects please contact Kazuya.Koyama@port.ac.uk or phone +44 (0)23 9284 5151.
Applications (application form, CV, publication list and research statement) should be submitted via the online application system at https://port.engageats.co.uk by the closing date, 3 January 2014. Applicants should also arrange for up to three reference letters and application materials to be sent by email to icg-admin@port.ac.uk, to arrive by the same date.
Late applications may be considered; please contact the HR Recruitment team via hrrecruitment@port.ac.uk for details on how to apply.
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, but applications are particularly encouraged from traditionally under-represented groups in science. The University of Portsmouth is member of the Athena SWAN charter and an Institute of Physics Project Juno Supporter; these projects show a commitment to introduce organisational and cultural practices that promote gender equality in science and create a better working environment for men and women.
For more detailed information about this vacancy, please select this link: 10010310 Postdoctoral Researcher in Theoretical Cosmology.doc
Postdoctoral Researchers in Cosmology and Astrophysics – 10010308, 10010309, 10010312
External links – 10010308, 10010309, 10010312.
Employment type: Fixed-term contract (3 years)
Employment basis: Full-time
Salary: £27,854 to £31,331
Date published: 25 November 2013
Closing date: 10 January 2014
Interview dates: Interviews will be scheduled between 15 and 31 January 2014
The Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG) intends to appoint several postdoctoral researchers in cosmology and astrophysics. The researchers will work on projects funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), the UK Space Agency (UKSA) and the European Research Council (ERC). Topics include:
- cosmological perturbations and structure formation (Robert Crittenden, Ref:10010312)
- combined probes of the accelerating universe (David Bacon, Ref:10010312)
- supernova surveys (Bob Nichol, Ref:10010312)
- science and data analysis preparation for Euclid (Will Percival, Ref:10010309)
- cosmological measurements using galaxy clustering (Will Percival, Ref:10010308)
A PhD degree and relevant research experience are required. The posts are for three years, with an anticipated start date of 1 October 2014.
The ICG consists of 12 academic staff, 12 postdoctoral researchers and 20 PhD students, and is a member of the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys (SDSS-III and SDSS-IV), the Dark Energy Survey, the UK Low Frequency Array (LOFAR:UK) and the Euclid consortium. The University of Portsmouth is a member of the South-East Physics Network (SEPnet)2 and hosts the 1000-core SEPnet-ASTRO supercomputer (SCIAMA). For further information, please visit the ICG website at www.icg.port.ac.uk.
For informal enquiries about particular projects please contact the individuals named above in the following format:firstname.lastname@port.ac.uk or by calling +44 (0)23 9284 5151.
Applications (application form, CV, publication list and research statement) should be submitted via the online application system at https://port.engageats.co.uk by the closing date, 10 January 2014. Applicants should also arrange for up to three reference letters and application materials to be sent by email to icg-admin@port.ac.uk, to arrive by the same date. Please identify clearly in your application which of these posts you wish to be considered for.
Late applications may be considered; please contact the HR Recruitment team via hrrecruitment@port.ac.uk for details on how to apply.
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, but applications are particularly encouraged from traditionally under-represented groups in science. The University of Portsmouth is member of the Athena SWAN charter and an Institute of Physics Project Juno Supporter; these projects show a commitment to introduce organisational and cultural practices that promote gender equality in science and create a better working environment for men and women.
For more detailed information about these vacancies, please select a link:
10010308 Postdoctoral Researchers in Cosmology and Astrophysics.doc
10010309 Postdoctoral Researchers in Cosmology and Astrophysics.doc
10010312 Postdoctoral Researchers in Cosmology and Astrophysics.doc
The ICG-PGS Christmas Lecture 2013
The Portsmouth Grammar School and the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, University of Portsmouth present a free public lecture:
“Gravity: From Newton to Einstein and beyond”
Dr. Kazuya Koyama, Reader in Cosmology, ICG, University of Portsmouth
The Universe is expanding at an increasing rate, but is this really due to some mysterious “Dark Energy”, or were these great scientists simply wrong about gravity?
Date: Monday 2nd December 2013
Time: 7.30pm
Location: Portsmouth Grammar School
Free tickets: Email j.thomas@pgs.org.uk to reserve a seat.
About 300 years ago, Newton theorised how gravity works and Newton’s theory is still used today to describe gravity in our daily life . In 1916, Einstein put forward his general theory of relativity and revolutionised our concepts of time and space. General relativity is now precisely tested in the Solar System and our modern technology such as the GPS relies on his theory. Einstein’s theory also provided the basis for our understanding of the Universe. In 1998, astronomers made a surprising discovery that the expansion of our Universe is accelerating. In the framework of Einstein’s theory, the acceleration would originate from a mysterious “dark energy”. Alternatively, there could be no dark energy and Einstein’s theory itself is in error on cosmological scales. In this talk, I give an overview of the development of our understanding of gravity and explain the exciting challenge facing modern scientists after nearly 100 years since Einstein proposed his theory of gravity.
NAOC postdoctoral positions in collaboration with ICG Portsmouth
Under a new scheme, applicants are invited to apply for postdoctoral positions hired by Division of Galaxy and Cosmology, National Astronomical Observatories of China (NAOC) in collaboration with Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG), University of Portsmouth in the UK.
Both NAOC and ICG are institutional members of Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV (SDSS-IV) (http://www.sdss3.org/future/), and three postdoc positions are available for SDSS-IV data analysis and cosmological applications, one position in SKA science and one position in theoretical cosmology; all available from September 1, 2014. The posts will be primarily based at NAOC (>9 months each year) but with a close link to the ICG faculty including the exciting opportunity for each postdoc to work for at least one month a year in Portsmouth, UK (all expenses paid). The post is for two years initially with a possible third year extension subject to performance and funding.
Position in eBOSS science:
Host at NAOC: Gong-Bo Zhao
Host at ICG: Bob Nichol, Will Percival
Position in MaNGA science:
Host at NAOC: Shude Mao
Host at ICG: Claudia Maraston, Karen Masters, Bob Nichol and Daniel Thomas
Position in APOGEE-II science:
Host at NAOC: Chao Liu
Host at ICG: Claudia Maraston, Bob Nichol
Position in SKA science:
Host at NAOC: Gong-Bo Zhao
Host at ICG: David Bacon
Position in theoretical cosmology:
Host at NAOC: Gong-Bo Zhao
Host at ICG: Marco Bruni, Robert Crittenden, Kazuya Koyama, Gianmassimo Tasinato and David Wands
The National Astronomical Observatories (NAOC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) were officially founded in 2001 by joining four CAS observatories, three CAS observing stations and one CAS research center. The Division of Galaxy and Cosmology (G&C division) within NAOC has more than 50 (11 international) staff members and postdocs. The division is involved in diverse topics such as dark energy and gravity research, searching for first objects in the universe, high-resolution cosmological simulations, gravitational lensing, galactic dynamics, gravitational wave physics and accretion processes. It has access to high-performance computing facilities within NAOC and elsewhere. For more details about the G&C division at NAOC, see http://gcosmo.bao.ac.cn/
The ICG consists of 12 academic staff, 12 postdoctoral researchers and 20 PhD students, and is a member of the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys (SDSS-III and SDSS-IV), the Dark Energy Survey, the UK Low Frequency Array (LOFAR:UK) and the Euclid consortium. The University of Portsmouth is a member of the South-East Physics Network (SEPnet)2 and hosts the 1000-core SEPnet-ASTRO supercomputer (SCIAMA). More information is available at http://www.icg.port.ac.uk.
Outstanding applicants will be eligible to the CAS One Hundred Talent Program or the National (Youth) One Thousand Talent programs. Visitor programs are also available for international young and senior scientists. Outstanding postdocs and young researchers will be considered for permanent positions after their terms. Salary will depend on qualifications and experience. Members/Research scientists may also be qualified for supplemental support from NAOC or CAS.
Minimum Qualifications: Ph.D., or equivalent, in Astronomy, Physics, or related field, completed or expected by effective date, and a demonstrated record of research excellence. Candidates of all nationalities are encouraged to apply.
Application deadline: January 10, 2014 until vacancies are filled.
Applicants should submit a curriculum vita, a research proposal (3 pages maximum), and three reference letters (all letters will be treated as confidential documents) to:
Ms Jie Ma
National Astronomical Observatories of China
20A Datun Road, Chaoyang District,
100012 Beijing,
China
Email submission: Jie Ma majie@nao.cas.cn
Inquiries:
Gong-Bo Zhao gbzhao@nao.cas.cn
Kazuya Koyama kazuya.koyama@port.ac.uk
The UK-Japan 150 year anniversary, Science, Technology and Innovation Symposium – Astronomy & Space Science
ICG members are involved in the UK-Japan 150 year anniversary, Science, Technology and Innovation Symposium – Astronomy & Space Science. Bob Nichol will give a lecture on Galaxy Survey and Cosmology. Kazuya Koyama has been involved in the organisation.
The symposium will take place from13:00 to 19:00 on Friday, 6th December 2013 at the Embassy of Japan in the UK, 101-104 Piccadilly W1J 7JT. It will be followed by a reception.
The UK-Japan 150 year anniversary, Science, Technology and Innovation symposium – Astronomy & Space Science – will celebrate the 150th anniversary of UK-Japan academic interaction. In 1863, five Japanese students, ‘Choshu Five’, including Hirobumi Ito, who later became the Japan’s first Prime Minister, arrived in the UK and studied at University College London. Since that time, Japan and the UK have exchanged scholars and developed collaborative works across many fields, including Astronomy and Space Science. Furthermore the UK and Japanese Governments signed the MOU for wider cooperation on space activities during PM Cameron’s visit to Japan. Following such circumstance, the symposium will highlight the past, current and future collaborations in Astronomy and Space Science, covering a wide range of research topics, from the Sun to Cosmology.
Please see our website for more up-to-date information:
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/mssl/astro/events/UKJAPAN150/,
If you can attend, please register by 24th November through:
http://ukjapan150astro.eventbrite.co.uk/
Please print and bring your ticket. All visitors to the Embassy are required to show photo ID and the event ticket. The dress code for the event is smart casual.
Portsmouth wins £2million in new research grants
ICG researchers have been awarded £2million in two major new grants.
Over €2million has been won by Will Percival for his research into dark energy and the growth of large-scale structure in our universe. The award from the European Research Council will support a team of researchers including two postdoctoral researchers and several graduate students over a five year period. This new “consolidator” grant from the ERC follows on from Will’s previous successful ERC starting grant, 2008-13.
Another new grant, from the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), will support research investigating a period of accelerated expansion, called inflation, in the very early universe. This grant will fund ICG staff and a postdoctoral researcher for 17 months to study quantum fluctuations in the fields driving inflation and how they could provide the seeds for the origin of structure observed in the universe today.