Data Analysis Techniques Research Fellow, Asteroseismology

Applications are invited to join the Solar and Stellar Physics Group at Birmingham as part of its ongoing expansion and development. Members of the group have responsibilities in the European Space Agency (ESA) PLATO 2.0 Mission on characterizing exoplanet host stars using asteroseismology (stellar oscillations). In order to solve the challenges associated with the highvolume, high-bandwidth data that will come from the PLATO spacecraft, the group are developing novel data techniques based around the automated analysis of timeseries data, including the use of advanced machine learning methods.

The successful applicant will work primarily with Professor Bill Chaplin and Dr Guy Davies as part of the Birmingham PLATO team, to prepare for PLATO and also to test and apply the new techniques to existing datasets, e.g. from the NASA Kepler, K2 and TESS missions. We welcome applications from a wide base, including those with experience in data mining and algorithm development who may not necessarily have astronomy research experience, but who are interested in applying their expertise to problems in astronomy

Job Purpose

To contribute to the achievement of the School’s research strategy by undertaking specified research activities in Data Mining and asteroseismology.

Main Duies

• To plan and develop research contributions to subject area using methodologies, critical evaluations, interpretations, analyses and other appropriate techniques
• To contribute to writing bids for research grants
• To suggest and contribute to the development of research techniques, models and methods in collaboration with colleagues
• To disseminate research findings using appropriate and effective media such as publication, research seminars etc
• To provide guidance to other staff and students on own specialist area
• To contribute to the production of research reports and publications
• To prepare papers for Steering groups
• To analyze and interpret the results of own research and generate ideas based on outcomes  

Person Specification

• A PhD in Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics, or Computer Science
• Experience in at least one of: statistical modelling; machine learning; data mining
• Experience of programming in languages such as R/Python/Julia
• An understanding of astronomical time series analysis and astrophysics in general would be advantageous

Enquiries

Informal enquiries can be made to Professor William Chaplin, w.j.chaplin@bham.ac.uk