Research Fellow in Observational Astrophysics

Location: Highfield Campus

Salary:  £28,982 to £35,609 per annum

Full Time Fixed Term - 2 Years

Closing Date:  Tuesday 15 November 2016

Reference: 779416WF

The Astrogroup of the University of Southampton's Department of Physics & Astronomy invites applications for one or more postdoctoral research fellow positions in infrared/sub-mm studies of active galactic nuclei (AGN). You will be joining an ambitious team and work with Dr Sebastian Hoenig to understand the feeding and feedback processes in the circumnuclear environment of AGN and use their emission as cosmological probes. The team has access to new ALMA and VLT Interferometer data of nearby AGN and leads part of the new ESO public survey VEILS, which will facilitate dust reverberation mapping out to redshift 1. You will be contributing to the scientific exploitation of any of these data and take up leading roles, according to your interests.

Applications are welcome from both junior and more senior researchers from a wide range of backgrounds, including infrared/sub-mm observations, interferometry, reverberation mapping, or advanced image processing. Your involvement in the projects will be tailored to your experience.

The Southampton Astrogroup provides a stimulating and collegial environment with many opportunities to collaborate with other group members. Our main research themes are compact objects and time-domain astrophysics. We are strongly committed to diversity in the student and academic population and you will be supported in developing your career while maintaining a good work-life balance through family-friendly policies. The position will provide you with time and resources to explore and develop independent research.

The post is initially for two years and can be extended depending on performance and funding. The appointment will be full time on University of Southampton Level 4 (£28,982 - £35,609 commensurate to experience). In addition, the University offers an attractive benefits package and relocation assistance. The starting date is flexible in 2017 and can be as early as January.

If you are interested, please apply via the university’s job portal (job reference 779416WF). Applications submitted by 15 November 2016 will receive full consideration, but the position remains open until filled.

Applications should consist of a cover letter, CV, publication list, and a brief statement of research interests (2 pages max). Please upload all documents as one pdf file. Moreover, three letters of reference are required with contact details to be provided on application (letter requests will be sent automatically by the application system).

Informal inquiries are particularly welcome. Please contact Dr Sebastian Hoenig, s.hoenig@soton.ac.uk (Twitter: @dustrophysix).

Application Procedure:

You should submit your completed online application form at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk. The vacancy will close at midnight on the closing date as shown above.

References are requested along with your application. This reference system is automated so please ensure you provide the correct email address and allow time for these to be received, prior to the close date, to assist the department with shortlisting.

If you need any assistance, please call Suzanne Stone (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 4043.

Please quote reference 779416WF on all correspondence.