2 PDRAs (Laboratory Astrophysics) and
2 PhDs (Observational Astrochemistry & Laboratory Astrophysics) in the OU Astrochemistry Group (with Dr. H J Fraser)
The School of Physical Sciences at the Open University, UK, is seeking to fill 2 STFC-funded PDRA positions and 2 PhD
positions in the Astrochemistry Group in collaboration with Dr. Helen Jane Fraser. The overarching aim of this group is to understand the role of ices in star- and planet-formation processes, through observational and
laboratory activities.
For further information on any of these positions, please contact Dr. Helen Jane Fraser [helen.fraser@open.ac.uk] ( mailto:helen.fraser@open.ac.uk ).
PDRA – ( [Laboratory Astrophysics:] ( http://www.open.ac.uk/about/employment/vacancies/post-doctoral-research-associate-laboratory-astrophysics-ice-aggregation-studies-14377 ) Ice Aggregation Studies] ( http://www.open.ac.uk/about/employment/vacancies/post-doctoral-research-associate-laboratory-astrophysics-ice-aggregation-studies-14377 ))
2 year fixed term, until 31stMarch 2020
[Ref: 14377]
£29,799 - £38,833 (based on experience)
Closing date 28thFeb 2018 (12 noon) [Interviews between March 8thand 13th2018]
This project aims to understand how ensembles of icy interstellar grains aggregate to form ‘pebbles’ in the regions
around the snowline in proto-planetary disks, and to establish if this process can generate gas-phase water in the same regions. The successful candidate will continue
the development of a novel instrument, designed to study the aggregation of ensembles of icy grains. They will be
expected to lead the day-to-day experimental work, data analysis and resulting scientific publications. The experiments will focus on the aggregation
of solid mm-sized icy grains, and porous-mm to cm-sized icy grains, as well as quantifying the collision induced
outgassing of water. Some of the experiments will be conducted in microgravity environments in addition to the OU Astrochemistry Laboratories.Applicants will have a PhD in Experimental Physics, Physical Chemistry or Laboratory Astrochemistry or a directly
related experimental field, and will be experienced in working with at least two of the following techniques: ultra-high vacuum, mass
spectroscopy, cryogenics, ultra-fast video imaging. Additionally, they will have experience of experiment development
and experimental computer control and data analysis. The successful candidate will also have excellent communication skills and be able to
evidence strong teamwork in scientific or engineering projects,as well as demonstrating an emerging track record of peer-reviewed publications in international scientific journals.
PDRA – ( [Laboratory Astrophysics:] ( http://www.open.ac.uk/about/employment/vacancies/post-doctoral-research-associate-laboratory-astrophysics-characterising-amorphous-icy ) Ice Aggregation Studies] ( http://www.open.ac.uk/about/employment/vacancies/post-doctoral-research-associate-laboratory-astrophysics-characterising-amorphous-icy ))
1 year fixed term, starting between April 1st2018 and Oct 1st2018
[Ref: 14379]
£29,799 - £38,833 (based on experience)
Closing date 28thFeb 2018 (12 noon) [Interviews between March 8thand 13th2018]
This project applies fundamental condensed matter physics and neutron scattering techniques to our understanding of the
materials involved in planet aggregation processes. The PDRA will be expected to design and lead experiments to form, manipulate and store the small amorphous icy particles, which will then subsequently be exploited
in aggregation studies. The bulk and surface structure of the particles will be characterized using neutron-scattering
techniques at a variety of nano- and micrometre length scales, exploiting the ISIS neutron facility at Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, UK.
Subsequently the thermal and temporal evolution of these particles will also be investigated.By the time of taking up the post, the successful applicant will have a PhD in Neutron Science, Condensed Matter,
Experimental Physics, Physical Chemistry or Laboratory Astrochemistry or a directly related experimental field. They will be experienced in
working at large-scale neutron facilities and have experience with at least two of the following techniques: condensed
molecular material (ice), cryogens, particle handing, particle characterization methods (e.g. mass distribution, size distribution,
spectroscopic analysis). Additionally, they will have experience of neutron scattering experiments and the associated
data analysis and necessary coding experience. The successful candidate will also have excellent communication skills and be able to evidence
strong teamwork in scientific or engineering projects,as well as demonstrating an emerging track record of peer-reviewed publications in international scientific journals.
Fordetailedinformationon howtoapplyfollow the respective hyperlinks to each position above.
You will need to complete an online application and also providea full academic CV (including names and contact details for three academic referees), a publication list and a cover
letter explaining why this project is of interest, how a PDRA fits with your longer-term career aspirations and how you meet the person specifications for the role.
PhD– (Observational Astrochemistry: Ice-Mapping in the JWST Era)
3.5 year fixed term, commencing October 1st2018
[Ref: A5]
up to £14,533 (tax free stipend per annum) plus fees (terms & conditions apply)
Applications will be considered fromFeb 16th2018, with initial interviews March 14th& 15th2018, followed by a further round of interviews in late March until all positions are filled. Early application is
advised.
This PhD will build on our legacy of ice-mapping with the AKARI satellite to pave the way for the next generation of
space- and ground-based facilities, which are set to revolutionize the “icy” astronomy world – JWST and E-ELT (Metis). The PhD will involve software and simulation
preparations for JWST cycle 1 observations, particularly NIRCAM slitless spectroscopy of star-forming regions. The
observations have been awarded time as part of the JWST ERS “Ice Age” programme (on which HJF is a Co-I) and the PhD student will be involved in
the ERS data reduction and analysis. Subsequently the student will be involved in NIRSPEC MSA ice-mapping of
pre-stellar cores, in JWST Cycle 1 and 2, as well as having the opportunity for planning and simulating future ice observations possible with E-ELT
Metis. In addition, this PhD will exploit archival data to generate combined ice-dust-gas maps of up to 12 pre-stellar
cores, for which data from AKARI, Spitzer, Herschel, JCMT, Nobeyama and IRAM are already in hand.The analysis will not only produce beautiful imagery, but decipher for the first time, how water, CO and CO2ices (as well as methanol and ammonia) are interrelated, and how ice chemistry can be linked to deuteration processes
(or other isotopic differentiation), as well as dust abundances and the gas-phase abundances of key chemical and physical tracers in
star-forming regions, such as CO, HCO+, H2D+and CH3OH. There will be scope to apply for telescope observing time on VLT (KMOS), Subaru, Keck and JCMT / IRAM / NOEMA / ALMA, to obtain new gas- dust- and ice-
observations to extend our chemical picture.
Applicants require a Masters Degreein Physics or Astronomy, with evidence of extended observational or computing-based project work.
PhD– (Laboratory Astrochemistry: Experimenting with the Earliest Stages of Planet Formation)
3.5 year fixed term, commencing October 1st2018
[Ref: A4]
up to £14,533 (tax free stipend per annum) plus fees (terms & conditions apply)
Applications will be considered fromFeb 16th2018, with initial interviews March 14th& 15th2018, followed by a further round of interviews in late March until all positions are filled. Early application is
advised.
This PhD will focus on laboratory work to produce and characterize the porous amorphous icy particles required for
collision experiments, testing the earliest stages of planet formation.Our scientific goal is to describe, qualitatively and quantitatively, the collisions that dominate the earliest stages
of icy planetesimal-formation, to answer, “how do planets form?”We use laboratory experiments to test icy grain collisions,taking advantage of the microgravity duration and quality in parabolic and sub-orbital flight, to study cm to sub-cm s-1collisions between ensembles of micrometre-sized icy grains, forming micron – mm sized ‘fluffy’ ice aggregates, that stick to form cm-sized icy ‘pebbles’.
These “ingredients” form the basis of material that aggregates in protoplanetary disks (including our own pre-solar
nebula) to form the cores of planets, comets and asteroids. The PhD work will move from coarse proof of concept experiments in the laboratory, to large-scale reproducible
production of icy grains, which will be characterized through neutron scattering experiments, and IR spectroscopy, and whose behavior will be tested in drop tower and parabolic flight experiments. The
PhD includes significant facilities use requiring week(s) on “in situ” experimentation away from the OU. There is
also an opportunity to apply the research to understanding of mission data (e.g. Rosetta, OSIRIS-Rex, Phobos sample return), and astronomical
observations (e.g. JWST and ALMA).
Applicants require a good quality pass in an undergraduate degree in Physics or Materials or Engineering, with evidence
of extended laboratory based project work potentially involving image analysis, Labview programming, and handling of cryogens. An understanding of atomic and molecular physics is desirable.
Fordetailedinformationon howtoapplyfor either of these PhDs goto;
[http://www.open.ac.uk/science/physical-science/job-and-studentshipopportunities/studentshipsphd-opportunities]
You will need send a completed an application form (available at the link above), full CV(including names and contact details for two academic referees), full transcript of courses studied and grades awarded,
and a cover letter explaining why this project is of interest, how a PhD fits with your longer-term career aspirations to [STEM-SPS-PhD-admin@open.ac.uk] ( mailto:STEM-SPS-PhD-admin@open.ac.uk )as soon as possible. Please state the PhD project reference number on your application.
Both PhD projects are also open to students worldwide with personal fellowship funding or those eligible for SEPNET
scholarships. Please look at ;
[http://www.sepnet.ac.uk/sepnet-phd-scholarships-2018/]
for further details of the SEPNET scholarship application process, which closes on Feb 14th2018.
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