A PhD student position in experimental astrophysics with a focus on the development of next-generation microwave telescopes is open for applications. The program will take place within the Physics Department at the University of Iceland. The position is funded for three years with funds from the European Research Council. Among other projects, the PhD student will take a leadership role in the design of a next-generation NASA balloon-borne telescope, designed to measure the polarization of the cosmic microwave background (CMB).
Main tasks
The PhD student will join the CMBeam team (http://cmbeam.com/). Our primary aim is to develop algorithms, measurement systems, and methodologies that benefit in the design and calibration of next-generation telescopes used to study the cosmic microwave background (CMB).
Future experiments mapping the cosmic microwave background (CMB) are designed to revolutionize our understanding of the infant universe, the standard model of particle physics, structure formation, and the nature of dark matter. A key effort involves furthering our understanding of the birth of the first stars and the properties of neutrinos.
Today, several experiments are quantifying the polarization of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). Among these experiments is Taurus, a stratospheric payload that is expected to deploy from Wanaka, New Zealand, in 2027. The Taurus superpressure balloon experiment, funded by NASA, is designed to provide state-of-the-art data on the large-scale polarization of the cosmic microwave background andGalactic foregrounds. These data help us understand measurement conducted by the flagship CMB experiment of the last decade, the Planck satellite, and provide an invaluable insight for ground-based CMB observatories that are now coming online.
The student is expected to collaborate with other physicists, both at the University of Iceland, as well as other institutions across the world, including Europe, the US, and Japan. The student will work under the guidance of Prof. Jon E. Gudmundsson.
The PhD work can have components from a combination of instrumentation, microwave measurement techniques, and data-analysis.
Requirements
- Research Field: Physics
- Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
- Master’s degree in physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, applied mathematics or related subjects.
- A good programming background in Python (or similar programming language).
- Proficiency in written and spoken English.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work both individually and in groups.
- Experience with the design and assembly of electronics and/or any other engineering devices is beneficial.
- Experience using Unix-like operating systems and the distributed computing is beneficial.
Organisation/Company – University of Iceland
Department – Physics Department at the University of Iceland
Research Field – Physics
Researcher Profile – First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country – Iceland
Type of Contract – Temporary
Job Status – Full-time
Application Deadline –
Leave a Reply