Missions

Applications are invited for two postdoctoral positions to work at the Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille (LAM) with Matthew Pieri and Stéphane Arnouts. Successful candidates will work on exploiting current and next generation surveys of the Lyman-alpha forest to probe large-scale structure and gas properties in order to advance our understanding of galaxy formation and the expansion of the universe at z more than 2. This work will be conducted in two large international project teams supported by the French national funding agency Agence Nationale de Recherche working closely with members of the surveys WEAVE, DESI and PFS.

Activités

Successful applicants will work on Lyman-alpha forest absorption cosmology and astrophysics. Specifically, opportunities exist explore reconstruction of the cosmic web through IGM tomography and forest absorber classification, study the environmental dependence of intergalactic and circumgalactic gas properties, and the use of novel tracers of large-scale structure to probe cosmological parameters and galaxy formation simultaneously.
This science will be achieved by analysing data from multi-object spectroscopic surveys DESI, WEAVE-QSO and PFS, along with mock or simulated data. The team at LAM offers high-level expertise in these surveys and can offer successful applicants membership and guidance. Opportunities exist to contribute in important ways to the building of these surveys (particularly in WEAVE-QSO). It should be noted that this is key science for many future surveys and facilities (DESI-II and ELT-MOSAIC) and hires will have the opportunity to establish themselves in internationally excellent teams for the coming decade and beyond.

Compétences

- Experience in cosmology and/or extragalactic astrophysics is required.
- Experience with quasar absorption and machine learning methods would be valuable.

Applications should include a cover letter, a research statement of no more than 4 pages (including both a summary of prior research and a plan), a curriculum vitae including a list of publications. Two or three letters of recommendation should also be requested to be sent directly to matthew.pieri@lam.fr. Applications will be reviewed starting on 15th December and the position will remain open until filled. Enquires about the position should be sent to matthew.pieri@lam.fr.

Contexte de travail

LAM is an internationally respected research institute of around 200 people between science teams and technical services. LAM is particularly active in large survey collaborations such as WEAVE, DESI, PFS, Euclid and ELT-MOSAIC. The applicant will have access to high-performance computer clusters, and a modern working environment. Furthermore, substantial consortium travel funds are available.

Contraintes et risques

Travel will be necessary to disseminate the results and to interact with the consortium.