Research Fellow in Physics | Astronomy

Relocation and sponsorship assistance considered for ideal candidates
Perform high-quality research in observational and computational astrophysics in the Milky Way
Full-time, fixed-term (2.5 years) role based in Hobart, Tasmania
About the opportunity

We are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the area of Astrophysics in the School of Natural Sciences. The School is part of the College of Science and Engineering. The position is funded for 2.5 years by the Australian Research Council Discovery Program grant “Lifting the Veil on Cold Planets in the Inner Galaxy”.

As our ideal candidate, you will utilize local, international, and space-based telescopes to study the occurrence, properties, and host star properties of exoplanets between the Sun and the Galactic Centre, aiming to characterise their mass ratios and frequency as a function of stellar properties and Galactic neighbourhood.

Join our dynamic and expanding team that uses combined infrared, optical, and high spatial resolution (adaptive optics, HST, and/or Euclid) observations with detailed models of the distribution of stars in the inner Milky Way to lead the way for the next generation of exoplanet microlensing surveys. The project will focus on the areas of higher dust-obscuration and stellar density, paving the way for the NASA Roman Galactic Exoplanet Survey. Work will be undertaken in conjunction with our international collaborators on the NASA Roman Project Infrastructure Team. If you have a passion for astronomy and a strong background in observational techniques, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Using telescopes around the world and in space, you will gather and analyse combined infrared, optical, and high spatial resolution observations with detailed models of the distribution of stars in the inner Milky Way to derive the planet and host star parameters for multiple targets, and create the statistical distributions of planet masses and separations as a function of host star mass and location within the Milky Way. The project will focus on the areas of higher dust-obscuration and stellar density, paving the way for the NASA Roman Galactic Exoplanet Survey.

The investigation will be conducted in a cooperative setting, involving peers from the fields of Mathematics & Physics, as well as international project partners. The University of Tasmania is cultivating a vision of a locally-rooted institution with the aim of enriching Tasmania’s intellectual, economic, social, and cultural future, and leveraging Tasmania’s unique strengths to make global contributions. The University acknowledges that the realization of this vision relies on our employees and is committed to fostering a university environment that is centred around people, grounded in values, relationship-oriented, diverse, and focused on growth and development.

What you’ll do:

Make an effective and sustained contribution to the University in achieving its strategic objectives and fulfilling its operational responsibilities.
Carry out high-quality research in observational and computational astrophysics, with an emphasis on work relating to gravitational microlensing measurements in the Milky Way, publish research findings and present at scholarly meetings.
Contribute to the supervision of research higher degree students.
Develop and maintain productive links within the University and with the wider community.
Contribute to the academic well-being of the astronomy group and the broader physics discipline.
What we’re looking for:

A PhD or equivalent in a relevant field.
A good record of, and continuing commitment to, research that has achieved recognition and made worthwhile contributions to the field of astrophysics, demonstrated by a record of quality publications, presentations at conferences and preferably success in securing external competitive and other funding.
Experience in planning observational programs and the reduction and analysis of optical and/or near-infrared astronomical data obtained from telescopes of various sizes and capabilities, and involving stellar populations in dust-extincted sightlines.
Experience in the supervision of student research and in scientific computing.
A record of contributing to building and maintaining effective and productive links locally and nationally with the discipline, profession, industry (where relevant) and wider community.