Postdoctoral Fellowship in the High Energy Physics, Cosmology & Astrophysics Theory (HEPCAT) group at the University of

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Melissa Largier
Posts: 4
Joined: April 14 2021
Affiliation: University of Cape Town

Postdoctoral Fellowship in the High Energy Physics, Cosmology & Astrophysics Theory (HEPCAT) group at the University of

Post by Melissa Largier » January 07 2023

The High Energy Physics, Cosmology & Astrophysics Theory (HEPCAT) group in the Department of
Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at the University of Cape Town (UCT) invites applications for a
postdoctoral fellowship starting in 2023. The HEPCAT group was established around the South African
Research Chair in Physical Cosmology held by Amanda Weltman. Group members conduct research on a wide
range of theoretical physics, cosmology and astrophysics problems, with a particular focus on connecting
observation and theory.

For more information on the activities of the HEPCAT group, see http://hepcat.group/. Our faculty members
include Shajid Haque, Jeff Murugan, Jonathan Shock and Amanda Weltman, and most recently Marisa Geyer, a
pulsar scientist and active member of the MeerKAT Large Survey Projects (LSPs) MeerTime and TRAPUM,
that conduct a wide range of projects in pulsar timing and pulsar and radio transient searching. For more
information on her work, please see www.marisageyer.co.za, and find additional information on the LSP
projects at www.meertime.org and www.trapum.org respectively.

With this position, HEPCAT is seeking to expand its involvement in conducting radio pulsar and fast transient
research both observationally and through its theoretical applications including conducting tests of Gravity in
relativistic binaries; contributing to the searches for nano-Hz Gravitational Waves through high precision pulsar
timing analysis and modelling radio transient propagation effects and studying its implications, in the case of
Fast Radio Bursts, on Cosmological models. Applicants must have a track record of accomplishment and
independence in their research.

There will also be opportunities to join external collaborations, including the pulsar and transient programmes
running on MeerKAT (Meertime, TRAPUM and MeerTRAP), the HIRAX experiment, the MeerKAT extension
project (MK+) as well as SKAO working groups. There will be additional opportunities to perform joint work
across all group research areas, including astrophysics, gravity, cosmology and machine learning more broadly.

The appointment must comply with the University’s approved policies, procedures and practices for the
postdoctoral sector, and is subject to the rules and approval of the University of Cape Town and the National
Research Foundation of South Africa.

The appointment is for two years at the outset, with a possible extension of one year subject to satisfactory
progress and availability of funding. A PhD in Astrophysics, Astronomy, Physics or Applied Mathematics is
required. Postdoctoral experience is a bonus, however the candidate needs to be within 5 years from the date of
PhD at the start of the position and may not have held a full-time permanent academic or professional post.

Cape Town is an extremely beautiful city, surrounded by natural beauty. With beaches, mountains and forests
only a short way from the city centre, Cape Town offers a perfectly balanced lifestyle. The city offers a
wonderfully cosmopolitan atmosphere at a relatively low cost of living. The postdoc funding level is R400 000
per annum, tax free. Additional support is available for equipment and travel funding as appropriate.

Interested candidates should send a CV, a research proposal (2-3 pages), and arrange for three letters of
recommendation to be sent to [Log in to view email]. Please use the following format in the subject line:
YOURNAME, Postdoc 2023. The submission deadline is 24 February 2023. Screening of candidates will start
thereafter and will continue until the position is filled. Any queries can be sent to Melissa at
[Log in to view email].

The University of Cape Town reserves the right to:
- disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications
- change the conditions of award or to make no awards at all

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