The Department of Physics wishes to make post-doctoral appointments to work in the areas of theoretical cosmology and particle astrophysics. Our theoretical programme includes large-scale structure and galaxy formation, galaxy evolution, cosmic background radiation anisotropy and non-baryonic dark-matter signatures. One of the new positions will be the newly endowed BIPAC fellowship in particle astrophysics and cosmology to be held for up to five years in association with Queens College. There will also be two appointments to our PPARC supported theoretical cosmology group. One will be for up to three years to work in the area of galaxy evolution mainly with the team of Dr Daniel Thomas (d.thomas1@physics.ox.ac.uk), commencing in October 2006. The team's main interest is early-type galaxy evolution, and galaxy formation with comparison to observation data. Another appointment will be to work with Dr Pedro Ferreira (p.ferreira1@physics.ox.ac.uk) on theoretical problems associated with the cosmic microwave background.

The successful candidates are likely to have demonstrated a capacity for independent work and be capable of initiating research in a lively group with significant activity across these areas. The Beecroft Institute for Particle Astrophysics (BIPAC) will accommodate new appointees. A 128-processor Beowulf computer system is available exclusively for projects in cosmology and particle astrophysics.

In observational astronomy, our programme spans galaxy evolution and cosmology, including stellar dynamics and populations, galaxy clusters, the physics of active galaxies and their use as cosmological probes, and galaxy and quasar surveys. The group is the focus for UK involvement in the Gemini Observatories hosting the UK Gemini Support Group. We have a growing instrumentation group that, in collaboration with RAL, is constructing the fibre-fed infrared MOS for the Japanese 8m Subaru telescope and the VISTA wide field near-infrared camera. We are participating in the design and construction of integral field units, optical and infrared spectrographs, including KMOS & MUSE for the ESO VLT and design studies for the WFMOS & Extreme AO instruments for Gemini. Candidates with instrumentation and observational expertise will be sought in a separate advertisement, with a later closing date. Oxford has a newly established experimental cosmic microwave background group that is participating in experiments such as CLOVER and QUIET.

The post-holders will have the opportunity to engage in teaching for up to 3 hours per week during term. The starting salary is from £19,460 -£29,128 pa depending on skills and experience. A benefits package and a research budget for travel and other expenses will be provided.

Further particulars are available below. Applicants should send a statement of research interests, curriculum vitae, list of publications, and the names and addresses of three referees by the closing date of 1 December 2005, quoting reference DB05008. In addition candidates should arrange for letters from the referees to be sent to the address below by the closing date. While preference will be given to applications that arrive by the closing date, we will also consider late applications which arrive prior to the final short-listing of candidates.

Mrs S Blackshaw
Astrophysics
University of Oxford
Denys Wilkinson Building
Keble Road
Oxford OX1 3RH
United Kingdom

Fax: +44 (0)1865 273390

sec@astro.ox.ac.uk

URL: http://www-astro.physics.ox.ac.uk

Electronic applications are acceptable in PDF, PS, or MS Word formats. Applications will be acknowledged but not reference letters.

The University of Oxford is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates with a proven record of research in these or related areas. A more detailed account of the astronomical research taking place at Oxford may be found by referring to the Astrophysics web site (http://www-astro.physics.ox.ac.uk).

Background to Astrophysics within Oxford.

The post-holder/s will be based in the Astrophysics, which is one of the six sub-departments that together make up the Department of Physics. The other sub-departments are (1) Atomic and Laser Physics, (2) Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics, (3) Condensed Matter Physics, (4) Particle Physics and (5) Theoretical Physics. The Department of Physics currently comprises about 80 University-funded academic staff, 150 other postdoctoral researchers and visitors, 200 graduate students and 580 registered undergraduate students. Since 1 October 2000, the Department of Physics is part of the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

The Sub-Department of Astrophysics consists of over 100 people of whom 16 are staff, 28 are post-doctoral researchers and 35 are research students. In addition, there are 15 astrophysicists in the Sub-Department of Theoretical Physics.

The Sub-Department of Astrophysics is situated in the Denys Wilkinson Building, which is close to the centre of Oxford and the extensive University Parks. The Laboratory has excellent teaching and workshop facilities. The Sub-Department has grown steadily in recent years.

Professor Steve Rawlings is currently Head of Astrophysics. Professor Roger Davies, (Philip Wetton Professor of Astrophysics) is now Chair of Physics. Their work on galaxy evolution and observational cosmology at both radio and optical wavelengths, has led to substantial increases in the department's work in astronomical instrumentation. The theoretical research group is led by Professor Joseph Silk, (Savilian Professor of Astronomy) studying cosmology, galaxy formation and dark matter. The recently opened Beecroft Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology provides a focus for this activity. Oxford Astrophysics has been successful in attracting PPARC Senior/ Advanced/Post-doctoral and Royal Society Research Fellows. PPARC rolling grants support research into observational and theoretical cosmology.

In observational astronomy, our programme spans galaxy evolution and cosmology, including stellar dynamics and populations, galaxy clusters, the physics of active galaxies and their use as cosmological probes, and galaxy and quasar surveys. The group is the focus for UK involvement in the Gemini Observatories hosting the UK Gemini Support Group. We have a growing instrumentation group that, in collaboration with RAL, is constructing the fibre-fed infrared MOS for the Japanese 8m Subaru telescope and the VISTA wide field near-infrared camera. We are participating in the design and construction of integral field units, optical and infrared spectrographs, including KMOS & MUSE for the ESO VLT and design studies for the WFMOS & Extreme AO instruments for Gemini. Oxford has a newly established experimental cosmic microwave background group that is participating in experiments such as CLOVER and QUIET.

The University of Oxford is over 700 years old and has a strong collegiate nature, the individual Colleges being a microcosm of multi-disciplinary academic expertise, whilst the science departments have a conventional structure. Teaching is shared between the two aspects - lectures, classes, laboratories, examinations and post-graduate research supervision being normally department-based, while tutorial teaching (in small groups) is college-based, as also is the undergraduate selection process.

Computing Facilities

Oxford is a major node of PPARC's STARLINK computing network. Computers available in Astrophysics in support of observational and theoretical research programmes currently comprise a network of workstations augmented by PCs running Linux; these machines are supported by STARLINK, the University and external research grant funding. Current STARLINK software is available plus other well-established data reduction packages such as AIPS and IRAF. The system manager plus other local expertise provide computer support. A 128 node BEOWULF computer is available as part of the newly created Beecroft Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology.

Departmental Duties

The post-holder/s will be required to assist in carrying out the research within the sub-department of Astrophysics under the direction of a designated supervisor who will be a member of the academic staff. In addition, the post-holder/s may be required to teach for up to 3 hours/week during term. The academic year in Oxford consists of three terms, each of eight weeks duration.

Appointment Procedure

A selection panel from within the sub-department of Astrophysics will consider all applications. Preference will be given to applicants with research experience in the areas indicated above. The applicant finally selected will then be offered an appointment from 1 October 2005, with a starting salary on the RS1A salary scale, £19,460 - £29,128 pa, depending on the selection panel's assessment of skills and experience. Applicant should ensure that their application includes contact numbers and addresses (email, telephone and fax) which can be used to contact them.