Job Advertisement: Closing Date 10th April 2016
The Astrophysics Group at the University of the Western Cape, invites
applications for up to three postdoctoral positions in cosmology as part of
the newly created Centre for Radio Cosmology (CRC). UWC is located in the
beautiful city of Cape Town, with excellent cultural and outdoor
activities. The Astrophysics Group has grown dramatically in recent years -
curently there are 5 Faculty, 16 postdocs and 15 postgraduate research
students. This has led to the formation of the CRC, which is deeply
involved in work related to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). 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.
We encourage 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
(continuum and HI intensity mapping surveys).
- Theoretical and data analysis of number counts, brightness temperature
and weak lensing, in radio and optical, with focus on the power spectrum
and bispectrum on very large scales
- The 21cm signal from the epoch of reionization. This includes both
theory/simulations as well as data analysis with the HERA experiment
(currently being built in South Africa) and the future SKA-LOW.
The selected candidates will work more closely with Prof. Mario Santos or
Prof. Roy Maartens but will also be encouraged to collaborate with other
staff members, in particular Profs Romeel Dave, Matt Jarvis, Russ Taylor
and Dr Michelle Cluver. 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). Besides the research work, we give special
attention to the development of data science skills by the postdoctoral
fellows as part of their career plan.
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 2016, although other start
dates can be negotiated. Applications consisting of a CV, publications list
and a statement of research interests, should be emailed to the address
provided. Applicants should arrange for a minimum of two letters of
recommendation to be sent the same way. Applications received by April 10,
2016 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 2016 is ZAR 330,000 per year, tax free, plus a generous travel
and equipment grants. Candidates should also factor in the lower cost of
living in South Africa when considering the salary.
Email contact: [log in to unmask]
Links:
- http://www.uwcastro.org
- http://www.ska.ac.za
- http://www.uwcastro.org/new-centre-for-radio-cosmology-at-uwc/
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