• Opportunity to contribute to the research and development for the ASTRO 3D ARC Centre of Excellence
• Located on the Camperdown Campus at the School of Physics
• Full-time Level A, 3 Years with a base salary of $93K - $103K p.a., plus leave loading and a generous employer’s contribution to superannuation

About the opportunity 

We are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate to undertake research within the ASTRO 3D ARC Centre of Excellence. The person appointed to this role will be part of the ASTRO 3D First Large Absorption Survey in HI (FLASH) team within the ASTRO 3D ‘ASKAP Surveys’ project, and will analyse HI spectral-line data obtained with the new Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope and carry out follow-up studies with optical/IR telescopes and the ALMA millimetre array.

ASKAP’s radio-quiet site, large spectral bandwidth and wide field of view, open up a completely new parameter space for large-area HI absorption-line surveys in the redshift range 0 < z < 1. The FLASH team use measurements of the redshifted 21cm HI absorption line to detect and study the neutral gas in distant galaxies, and work with members of the ASTRO 3D Genesis Simulations team to test current galaxy and mass assembly models across a wide range in redshift.

Other specific activities consist of:

• analysis of ASKAP spectral-line observations
• carrying out optical/infrared and millimetre-wave studies of the host galaxies of absorption-line systems detected by ASKAP
• characterising the optical and star-forming properties of HI-detected galaxies at 0.4 < z < 1.0, and comparing the data with simulations carried out by the Genesis team
• interacting with ASTRO 3D colleagues in Australia and overseas, and with the ASKAP project team at CSIRO, on the analysis, interpretation and modelling of HI absorption-line data. 
• publishing research results
• contributing to the supervision of undergraduate and post-graduate research students.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate who has:

• a PhD (or near completion) in astrophysics or closely related discipline
• demonstrated aptitude for research, together with a strong publication record
• excellent data analysis and programming skills
• experience with software development or instrumentation related to radio astronomy
• an ability to supervise students at an undergraduate level

About us

The School of Physics at the University of Sydney is the leading Physics department in the country, with outstanding staff and students undertaking world-leading teaching and research. Our 114 academic staff and 157 postgraduate students conduct research across a vast range of interests from nanoparticles to clusters of galaxies and from theoretical modelling to laboratory experiments. With the support of 20+ professional, technical and administrative staff, the School of Physics teaches to a cohort of approximately 274 equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL) undergraduate students. With access to supercomputers, modern laboratory facilities and observatories, locally, nationally and internationally, the School of Physics is the premier environment for physics education and research. The School of Physics is committed to creating a diverse workplace by improving equity, access and opportunity. We want to create an environment where individuality is welcomed and celebrated. We are continuously working to identify and remove biases and barriers in an effort to make our workplace open, supportive and safe for everyone.

Since our inception 160 years ago, the University of Sydney has led to improve the world around us. We believe in education for all and that effective leadership makes lives better. These same values are reflected in our approach to diversity and inclusion and underpin our long-term strategy for growth.We’re Australia's first university and have an outstanding global reputation for academic and research excellence. Across our campuses, we employ over 8,100 academic and non-academic staff who support over 73,000 students.

We are undergoing significant transformative change which brings opportunity for innovation, progressive thinking, breaking with convention, challenging the status quo, and improving the world around us.

How to apply

For more information on the position and University, please view the position description available from the job’s listing on the University of Sydney careers website.

All applications must be submitted via the University of Sydney careers website. Visit https://sydney.edu.au/about-us/careers-at-sydney.html and search by the reference number 1432/1120F to apply.

Closing date: 11:30pm, Wednesday 3 February 2021

The University of Sydney is committed to diversity and social inclusion. Applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; equity target groups including women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTIQ; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged.

©The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.