Research Fellow

Two-year research fellowship to work on the development and application of numerical radiative transfer simulations for the study of kilonovae. This will involve incorporating state-of-the-art atomic data into our modelling database, development work on our Monte Carlo radiative transfer code, carrying out full simulations at supercomputer facilities, and collaborating on the use of these results for the interpretation of astrophysical observations. The successful candidate will work within the Astrophysics Research Centre in the School of Mathematics and Physics at Queen's University Belfast as part of our ERC-funded HEAVYMETAL project. This will involve active collaboration with our partner nodes in Dublin, Copenhagen and Darmstadt. Successful applicants will have responsibilities in independent research, collaboration, supervision, project planning and managing supercomputer resources.

Please note that the salary scale for this grade increases from 1 August 2025.

About the person:

The successful candidate should:

• Have, or be about to obtain, a PhD in astronomy or astrophysics, and have a strong scientific publication record, commensurate with career stage.
• Have research experience in radiative transfer simulations (including Monte Carlo methods) for astrophysics, in the use of atomic databases and in the modelling and interpretation of astrophysical spectra and light curves.
• Be proficient in high-performance computing (including resource management and computer-time proposal preparation) and programming in C / C++ and Python as the project will involve ongoing collaboration with our HEAVYMETAL partners.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information on our website.

This post is available for 2 years (initially). Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

What we offer:

Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more at https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/HumanResources/pay-reward-and-benefits/

Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.

For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit www.qub.ac.uk/diversity.

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