[ASA] Ph.D. Scholarship at Macquarie University. Topic: The origin of elements and isotopes in the Universe.

[Devika Kamath]

Dear colleagues,

I would like to bring your attention to a PhD scholarship (for Domestic students and/or Australian passport holders) at Macquarie University. Please pass this on to Honours and Masters students who might be interested in applying. Thank you.

Best regards,
Devika

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The Centre for Astronomy, Astrophysics and Astrophotonics at Macquarie University (MQAAAstro) invites Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified domestic students to complete their PhD in astronomy and astrophysics under the supervision of Dr. Devika Kamath. Expressions of Interest submitted by 20 Nov 2019 will receive full consideration.

MQAAAstro is one of the largest and fastest-growing astronomical centres of research excellence in Australia, committed to investing in the next generation of researchers. At MQAAAstro we offer a uniquely wide range of opportunities for collaborations in observational astronomy, theoretical astrophysics, astrophotonics, instrumentation, and education. MQAAAstro has about 70 members, including faculty, postdoctoral research fellows, postgraduate students, research associates and honorary associates. Macquarie University has recently acquired the lead node of the new Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO-MQ) whose staff are engaged in astronomical instrumentation design and construction as well as astronomical research. We are also located in close proximity to CSIRO Astronomy & Space Science (CASS).

PhD Project Background:

Evolved stars as probes of the origin of elements and isotopes in the Universe.

This project aims to address a critical long-standing question in astrophysics: ‘How are elements in the Universe synthesised?’. While it is established that stars are key producers of many of the elements in the Universe, the processes that govern their elemental production remains unclear. This project aims to underpin the production of elements in stars by using an innovative interplay of pioneering observations of dying stars in our Galaxy and its neighbours, with sophisticated state-of-the-art stellar models. To understand the origin of elements, knowledge of the underlying nuclear reactions is of fundamental importance. This project will involve using elemental and isotopic abundances to validate theoretical stellar models that combine nuclear physics and astrophysics. The expected outcomes should provide a framework for understanding the chemical make-up of galaxies and the evolution of the Universe.

The observational data set includes multi-wavelength spectroscopic observations from all-sky surveys such as the Sloan Digital Sky Survey-IV/The APO Galactic Evolution Experiment (SDSS-IV/APOGEE) and other ground-based facilities such as those undertaken with the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope; astrometric data from the Gaia satellite; and photometric measurements.

This project will involve collaborations with leading research teams nationally (ANU, Canberra; Monash University, Melbourne; ICRAR, University of Western Australia, Perth) and internationally (KU Leuven, Belgium; Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, Tenerife, Spain; Astronomical Observatory of Rome, Italy). The successful candidate will therefore have ample opportunities to establish a strong network of international and national collaborators.

In addition to receiving the Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship (MQRES) the selected candidate will be eligible for the Macquarie University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy (Faculty of Science and Engineering) scholarship top-up of $7,500 ($2,500 per year for 3 years).

Entry requirements:

The ideal candidate must have met the formal requirements for direct entry into the PhD program at Macquarie University. The minimum requirements are:

-    Completion of a Master of Research (MRes) with a grade of at least a Distinction level (75% or greater in the second year) or
-    A two-year Masters degree with a major research component at Distinction level (75% or greater).

Peer-reviewed research output may be taken into consideration for admission to the program.

Note that this opportunity is only open to Australian passport holders.

Expressions of Interest should be sent to Dr. Devika Kamath (devika.kamath at mq.edu.au) by 20 November 2019. Expressions of interest should include a detailed CV, transcripts of undergraduate and any Masters’ studies along with a one-page research interest statement.

For any further specific queries, please contact Dr. Devika Kamath (devika.kamath at mq.edu.au).

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Macquarie University are strongly committed to diversity and equity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates of any gender, orientation, nationality and background. See this link for details:
https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/fs_oCp8AJQtB3o43UPU5a8?domain=mq.edu.au


--

Dr. Devika Kamath

ARC DECRA Fellow

Lecturer in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Macquarie University

Ph: +61-2-9850-8978




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