Research Assistant at University of Cambridge

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position investigating low frequency radio instrumentation in the context of the Square Kilometre Array at the Cavendish Laboratory (Department of Physics, University of Cambridge).

The successful candidate will join the research group Cavendish Astrophysics, led by Professor Paul Alexander. The group’s research focuses on experimental astrophysics. In particular, the successful candidate will be working under the supervision of Dr. Eloy de Lera Acedo in the Cm-wave radio astronomy and novel sensors group.

The post-holder key responsibility will be to develop research objectives for own/joint research for the SKA project and precursor instruments. This will include the development of models and the characterisation of the prototype instruments.

We are looking for a strong candidate with a PhD in engineering or physics. Experience in antenna/RF technology (design, modelling, measurements) and radio astronomy instrumentation is also essential. The successful applicant does not yet have a PhD, he/she will normally be under-appointed as a Research Assistant in a Research Associate post (on the understanding that he/she will be appointed as a Research Associate upon successful completion of his/her PhD).

The closing date for applications is Sunday 20 January 2019.

Applications will be reviewed after the closing date and interviews conducted in the following weeks during end January 2019. The candidate would ideally start as soon as possible after 1st February 2019.

The post will be a fixed term appointment funded until 30 Sept 2019 in the first instance.

Successful candidates who have not been awarded their PhD by the appointment date will be appointed as a Research Assistant at Grade 5 (26,248 – 30,395 per annum). Upon award of the PhD the individual will be promoted to Research Associate, Grade 7 (32,236 – 39,609 per annum).