The Onsala Space Observatory Division of the Department of Space, Earth and Environment is looking for a PhD candidate to investigate key questions in galaxy evolution and galaxy cluster formation under the supervision of Senior Researcher Kelley Hess. This research is aimed at training the student to take advantage of future galaxy studies with the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), which will be the largest radio telescope in the world. Galaxy clusters are assembled from the infall of individual galaxies as well as galaxy groups. These individuals and groups in turn may fall in along filaments where the pre-processing of the galaxies has occurred. Observations of the neutral atomic hydrogen (HI) content of galaxies using largre radio telescopes are key to identifying recent and ongoing interactions between galaxies and their environment, as well as predicting the quenching of star formation due to these interactions.
About the project
This research project will focus on how galaxy clusters are assembled, and how their assembly impacts the tranformation of galaxies in the cluster environment. The PhD candidate will use data from state-of-the-art telescopes including MeerKAT, a precursor to the SKA, and optical imaging from DECam to study the impact of gas loss in galaxies through different environmental mechanisms: from galaxy-galaxy interactions to ram pressure stripping, in the Antlia Cluster and its surrounding filaments. The student will learn radio interferometric data reduction and synthesis imaging, and the research will involve identifying where galaxies live in the cluster/filament/field/substructure environments, quantifying and classifying the properties and evolutionary state of the galaxies, and comparing with control samples and what is previously known from the literature. Depending on the background and interest of the student this can lead to further follow-up observations at other wavelengths, or to detailed comparisons with cluster formation in simulations. The candidate will have access to high performance computing resources and join a vibrant international collaboration of researchers with multi-wavelength expertise on galaxy clusters.
About the department
Onsala Space Observatory is the Swedish national facility for Radio Astronomy, hosting the Nordic ALMA Regional Centre, the Swedish SKA Regional Center (SWE-SRC), as well as research groups in Advanced Receiver Development, and Space Geodesy and Geodynamics. Astronomy and astrophysics research is hosted within two divisions at SEE: Onsala Space Observatory, and Astronomy and Plasma Physics. Physically, we are situated both at the observatory in Onsala south of Gothenburg, and at the main Johanneberg campus at Chalmers in Gothenburg.
Major responsibilities
Your major responsibilities as a PhD student is to pursue your own doctoral studies to become an independent researcher. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing. The position may also include teaching at Chalmers or performing other duties corresponding to up to 20% of working hours, thereby increasing the duration of the position beyond 4 years. You are expected to write a licentiate thesis within 2-3 years and defend your doctoral thesis within 4-5 years.
Qualifications
To qualify for the position you must have completed a MSc or equivalent degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education (ECTS) credits in astrophysics, astronomy, chemistry, physics, or scientific computing, by July 2023. Completed courses in astronomy and experience in programming (e.g. python, C++, Matlab), radio astronomy observational techniques, teaching, scientific writing and communication are all considered assets for the position. In addition, excellent writing and communication skills in English are required.
Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment.
Expected start is Fall 2023. The starting salary for PhD positions is approximately 31,000 SEK per month. Expected position duration is 4 years which include course work corresponding to 1 year.
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Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20230311 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.
CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.
Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus
Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.
Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.
Application deadline: [2023-06-01]
For questions, please contact:
Senior Researcher, Kelley Hess,
Onsala Space Observatory, Department of Space, Earth, and Environment,
kelley.hess@chalmers.se, +46 31 772 5528, +46 76 883 9400
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