Research Assistant/Associate in Supernovae / Astrostatistics / Data Science

The Institute of Astronomy (IoA), Cambridge University expects to appoint one or more postdoctoral researchers to work with Professor Kaisey Mandel on projects in supernova cosmology, transient astronomy, astrostatistics and/or machine learning. Prof Mandel's interdisciplinary research group is funded by the European Research Council and spans the Institute of Astronomy, Kavli Institute for Cosmology, and the Statistical Laboratory of the Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics. Appointments to the StatsLab (DPMMS) are possible. Negotiable starting dates from ASAP through to October 2024.

Experience in statistical modelling/computation, machine learning, supernova observations/data analysis, transient surveys, and/or cosmological analysis is desirable. The successful applicants will have opportunities to work with novel optical/near-infrared datasets from current time-domain surveys, including the Young Supernova Experiment, and participate in upcoming next-generation surveys including LSST with VRO and TiDES with 4MOST.

The role-holder will contribute to research excellence as a member of a highly collaborative international research team, with the role providing substantial scope for exercising academic judgement, originality, interpretation and presentation of results. The role-holder will develop a high degree of interaction with staff and students, disseminate their research findings via publications or other appropriate media, such as international workshops and conferences, and will be encouraged to participate in teaching, learning, and outreach activities.

Applicants must have a PhD in Astronomy, Statistics, or a related field, or have satisfied the requirements for the PhD, by the time of appointment. Applicants must possess a scientific publication record and a clear outline of current and future research areas of interest. Applicants must have excellent communication and computing skills and are expected to produce scientific articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

A successful candidate with a PhD will be appointed at Grade 7 (Research Associate - £36,024 to £44,263 per annum). A candidate who has not yet been awarded their PhD will initially be appointed at Grade 5 (Research Assistant - £32,982 to £33,966 per annum) and, upon award of PhD, promoted to Grade 7.

Applications from underrepresented groups are particularly welcome. We have an active Equality and Diversity Committee, working to further the aims of the Athena SWAN charter. The University has several family-friendly policies and initiatives, i.e. a returning-carer scheme, childcare costs support, workplace nurseries and holiday play- schemes, and a shared parental-leave policy. As part of its commitment to providing a family-friendly environment for researchers, the IoA ensures where parental leave is needed during employment, there is provision for extension to contract to compensate for leave taken.

FOr more information or to apply, please visit the link below (https://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/43803/). Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online. Please upload your CV, cover letter, publications list and research statement (3xA4 pages max, 11pt font) in the Upload section. Names and contact details of 3 academic referees are essential. Please advise referees that references will be requested for 2nd January 2024.

Closing date: 23:59 GMT, Tuesday, 2nd January 2024.

Applications will be reviewed after the closing date and short-listed candidates selected for interview.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

Starting date: October 2024 or earlier.

Please quote reference LG39260 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

If you have any queries about your application, please contact [email protected]. Informal enquires may be addressed to Professor Kaisey Mandel ([email protected])

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The Institute particularly welcomes applications from women and/or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.