Job Advertisement: Closing Date 20th April 2015
Postdoctoral positions in Cosmology with the SKA
The Astrophysics Group at the University of the Western Cape, invites
applications for two postdoctoral positions in cosmology. The group has
grown dramatically in recent years, with 6 faculty members, 17 postdocs and
14 postgrad students. The group is deeply involved in work related to the
Square Kilometre Array (SKA). In particular it is leading the international
SKA Cosmology Science Working Group and has members involved in almost all
other working groups. South Africa will be hosting SKA1-MID, the largest
array of dishes in the world, to be completed by 2023, with the pathfinder
MeerKAT already under construction (see e.g.
http://ska.ac.za/releases/20150119.php).
We encourage the applications from strong candidates with experience in
observational or theoretical cosmology, or in radio astronomy, large-scale
simulations or statistical analysis of data. The scientific focus will be
in one or more of the following areas:
- Cosmology with the SKA and its pathfinders, in particular MeerKAT (both
with continuum galaxy surveys and HI intensity mapping).
- The 21cm signal from the epoch of reionization. This includes both
theory/simulations as well as data analysis with the upcoming HERA
experiment to be set in South Africa and the future SKA-LOW.
- Development of statistical methods to probe the radio galaxy population
below the noise (both with current and future experiments).
The selected candidates will work with Prof. Mario Santos on the themes
above but will also be encouraged to collaborate with other staff members,
in particular Professors Roy Maartens, Romeel Dave, Matt Jarvis and Russ
Taylor (see http://www.uwcastro.org). The group also has strong links with
other institutions in Cape Town, such as the SKA office, SAAO and UCT (all
within 20 minutes from the University).
Applicants must hold a PhD by the anticipated start date and should have
obtained the degree less than five years ago. The appointment will be for 3
years with a nominal start date of September 2015, although other start
dates can be negotiated. Applications consisting of a CV, publications list
and a statement of research interests, should be emailed to Prof. Mario
Santos ([log in to unmask]). Applicants should arrange for a minimum of two
letters of recommendation to be sent the same way. Applications received by
April 20, 2015 will receive full consideration, although later applications
may be considered. Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed
to the same email.
Included Benefits: Salary for 2015 is ZAR 327,000 per year, tax free, plus
travel and equipment grants.
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