[ASA] PhD scholarship in linking pulsars, magnetars and the fast radio burst phenomenon

[Marcus Lower]

Dear all,

I am currently advertising a PhD position at the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, to study the links between pulsars, magnetars and FRBs.
https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/xbC0Cq71mwf7W0K47UZfDSEePFO?domain=astronomy.swin.edu.au

Please pass along the following details to anyone that might be interested in applying!

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Using pulsars to resolve the origins of cosmic radio explosions

The Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia invites applications from high-calibre students for a PhD position in pulsar/fast radio burst astrophysics.

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are enigmatic flashes of radio waves that can be detected from half-way across the Universe. Despite huge leaps in FRB discovery rate and the precise localisation of several dozen to their host galaxies in recent years, we remain no closer to a complete picture of exactly how and where they are produced. In this project you will apply machine learning and data science techniques to radio astronomy datasets to develop an understanding of the links between FRBs and objects within our own Galaxy.

Pulsars and magnetars are city-sized stars that have some of the most powerful magnetic fields in the Universe. There are hints that these extreme stars are linked to the FRB phenomenon, and could serve as analogues of their progenitor objects. Using Swinburne's Ngarrgu Tindebeek supercomputer, you will apply novel data visualisation, statistics and unsupervised machine-learning techniques to enormous volumes of pulsar data that have been collected by Murriyang and MeerKAT, the two most sensitive radio telescopes in the Southern Hemisphere. This will include sifting through decades of careful monitoring of four magnetars to identify rare or unexpected radio emission phenomena to understand how FRBs might be produced. You will also investigate the interactions between pulsars and the winds of high-mass stellar companions, aiming to test whether repeating FRB sources reside in similar environments.

Closing Date: 15 February 2025

Funding: This PhD position is fully funded by Dr Marcus Lower's Australian Research Council DECRA fellowship. This includes a tax free stipend, of approximately AUD $33,500 per year, a tuition waiver, and access to funding for travel to telescopes, international conferences, and collaborative meetings.

How to Apply: To apply, please send a copy of your CV, academic transcript and a brief outline of your research experience and interest in the position to Dr Marcus Lower (mlower at swin.edu.au<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/YRZ6Cr81nytD9VPNDUzhWS4jEKG?domain=swin.edu.au>). Please also arrange for two reference letters to be directly sent to Dr Lower by the closing date.

Pre-requisites: Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Science with first class honours or an equivalent Masters degree in physics, astronomy or a related field. The degree must include a research component.

There are English language requirements for international students in Australia. If English is not one of your native languages, then at least 24 full months (or part-time equivalent) of your formal university studies must have had English as the language of instruction and assessment. Otherwise, you must submit the results of an English language examination upon a PhD scholarship application to the university.
If you are relying on a language exam to certify your English language skills, then your exam results must have been issued no more than two years prior to your Swinburne application. All international applicants should be sure to check the latest Swinburne IELTS and TOEFL score requirements.

Location: Swinburne University of Technology is located in the lively inner city suburb of Hawthorn, only minutes by public transport from Melbourne's city centre. Melbourne is top ranked for its quality of life and as a destination for working abroad. Swinburne provides a positive and supportive work environment and comprehensive benefits, including vacation, sick, and parental leave, and thesis publication and relocation cost allowances.
Swinburne is committed to the principles of equity, fairness and inclusivity and to a workplace free from discrimination. The University has been recognised as a Workplace Employer of Choice for gender equality. The Centre values its diverse work environment and welcomes applications from qualified candidates of any gender, orientation, nationality, and background.

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Kind regards,
Marcus

Dr. Marcus Lower
ARC DECRA Fellow
Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing
Swinburne University of Technology
Hawthorn, VIC, 3122, Australia
mlower at swin.edu.au<mailto:mlower at swin.edu.au>
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