Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation

Portsmouth SEPnet PhD Scholarships: PhD Grand Challenges 2014

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The SEPnet Universities aspire to solve some of the biggest problems in physics. These are the Grand Challenges of today. To advance towards solutions, we have established the Grand Challenge programme which may help fund your research towards a PhD. We’ve a number of challenges and SEPnet PhD Scholarships available, across all our research themes. The SEPnet members plan to award one SEPnet PhD Scholarship each through this year’s scheme.

The PhD programme covers all the Physics that takes place across the entire network. By following the instructions below, you will optimise the opportunity to enter your preferred field of research with your single application considered by nine universities: Hertfordshire, Kent, the OU, Portsmouth, Queen Mary, Royal Holloway, Southampton, Surrey and Sussex.

We plan to develop and deliver, flexibly, a collaborative regional programme of postgraduate technical, professional, employability and leadership skills training focused on creating physicists with advanced degrees better able to contribute to successful UK economic growth. We intend to make this programme available for the 2014 intake of PhD students across the SEPnet partners with those awarded SEPnet PhD places being given priority in places on the programme.

If you are not comfortable with entering for a PhD immediately, you may wish to study the taught Euromasters in Physics to gain a very thorough grounding in research methods while improving your knowledge.

The SEPnet Graduate Network (GRADnet)

GRADnet is the portal to collaborative physics post graduate training across the South East Physics network (SEPnet). Within GRADnet you will find:

  • technical support to help you complete your PhD;
  • broad-based skills training to enhance your future career opportunities;
  • events to expand your horizons and to see how to make the most of your PhD;
  • ways to engage with potential employers through events and placements;
  • opportunities to reach out to the wider community and enhance your C.V.
  • to help students coming through behind you;
  • schemes to augment your funding.

PhD Opportunities in GRADnet

Our partners offer over 100 PhD projects every year. These projects and SEPnet Scholarships are available in the following areas of research:

  • Astrophysics: Cosmology and Evolution of the Universe; Dark Matter and Dark Energy; Galaxies and Active Galactic Nuclei; Stellar Formation and Evolution; Planetary Science (Exo and Solar System); Nucleosynthesis; Radio Astronomy.
  • Particle Physics: LHC Experiments – Higgs & Supersymmetry; Accelerator Physics; Phenomenology; Lattice QCD.
  • Quantum Technology and Condensed Matter: Metrology; Materials; Superconductivity; Photonics; Cold atoms and ions; Ion-trapping; Nano-technology and Materials; Solid State Physics.
  • Medical and Bio- Physics: Medical Imaging; Radiation Detection and Instrumentation.
  • Theoretical Physics: String theory; Quantum Field Theory; Quantum Gravity; Materials.
  • Atmospheric and Climate physics: Atmospheric dynamics; Air quality; Light scattering and radiative processes; Particle instruments & diagnostics; Microphysical processes

How to apply

Find out more about the universities, potential supervisors and research challenges themselves. Please click on the links within the table below.

Applicants are invited to submit their current C.V. and a short statement of their research interests (maximum 200 words) to Cristobel Soares-Smith, SEPnet Graduate Network Administrator, gradnetadmin@sepnet.ac.uk by 3rd February 2014. Selected candidates will be invited to attend an Open Day in late February / early March in order to meet potential supervisors and learn more about GRADnet.

Closing Date:

February 3, 2014.

Note that you may also apply directly to a single University through their standard procedures. Applications accepted by single Universities after the above deadline may not be considered for a GRADnet scholarship award. The SEPnet route should be considered as a distinct path. We will endeavour to make your application available to be considered for all relevant specific awards outside this SEPnet Call but cannot guarantee that we are informed of all advertised posts from individual supervisors.

Applications received will be scrutinised by GRADnet academic staff who will make initial recommendations. We expect awards to be made before the end of April.

University Research Areas PhD programme Masters options
Univ. Hertfordshire Herts research Herts PhD Masters
University of Kent Kent research Kent PhD Masters
The OU OU research OU PhD Masters
Univ. Portsmouth Portsmouth research Portsmouth PhD
Queen Mary QMUL research QMUL PhD Masters
Royal Holloway RHUL research RHUL PhD Masters
Univ. Southampton Southampton research Southampton PhD
Univ. Surrey Surrey research Surrey PhD Masters
Univ. Sussex Sussex research Sussex PhD Masters

Enquiries:

Cristobel Soares-Smith, gradnetadmin@sepnet.ac.uk
SEPnet

PhD Studentships 2014

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The Institute of Cosmology & Gravitation at the University of Portsmouth is one of the leading groups in research on cosmology and astrophysics in the UK. We are active participants in a wide range of international collaborations, including the Dark Energy Survey (DES), the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-III/IV) and Euclid.

©SDSS

©SDSS

PhD studentships starting in October 2014 will be available for research in:

Applications should reach us by 21st February 2014, but will be considered until the positions are filled.

PhD applicants should have or expect to obtain a good honours degree or equivalent in Physics, Maths or Astronomy. Applicants should send a CV and a brief statement of research interests, and arrange for up to 2 letters of recommendation to be emailed directly to icg-admin@port.ac.uk, or posted to:

Research Administrator
Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation
Dennis Sciama Building
Burnaby Road
Portsmouth PO1 3FX
UK

 

Scientific staff members:

©SDSS

©SDSS

Prof Bob Nichol
Prof David Wands
Prof Will Percival
Prof Roy Maartens
Dr David Bacon
Dr Marco Bruni
Dr Rob Crittenden
Dr Kazuya Koyama
Dr Claudia Maraston
Dr Karen Masters
Dr Matthew Pieri
Dr Gianmassimo Tasinato
Dr Daniel Thomas

2014 Advert, PDF

Postdoctoral research positions at the ICG

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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

NAOC postdoctoral positions in collaboration with ICG Portsmouth

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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

 

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