We announce one or more postdoctoral research position at the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG) at the University of Portsmouth. The position is aimed at promising early-career researchers in any aspect of strong gravitational lensing.
Successful candidates will join the group of Prof Thomas Collett, working on the ERC funded project ‘The Statistical Era of Strong Gravitational Lensing’. Available projects include: strong lens discovery in wide field surveys with citizen science and/or machine learning; and, combining strong lens modelling with stellar kinematics. These projects will use data from the Vera Rubin Observatory LSST, Euclid, and 4MOST. The successful candidates will work closely with the science collaborations of these international projects.
Candidates will be motivated and excited by observational cosmology. Candidates with pre-existing skills in any of strong lens modelling, kinematic modelling, citizen science and computer vision are desirable, but candidates bringing complementary skills and ideas from other fields will be highly valued as well.
The preferred start date is as soon as possible, but candidates wishing to start anytime before October 2025 should still apply.
Funding is in place for an initial 12 month contract, with further funding sought to extend the position up to 3 years. This role is available on a full time or reduced hours basis. We will work to accommodate flexible and hybrid working requests.
The University of Portsmouth is a dynamic and ambitious institution with a track record of success. One of only four universities in the south east of England to achieve a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework and ranked in the top 150 in the Times Higher Young University World Rankings.
The ICG consists of 17 academic staff, 17 postdoctoral researchers and around 30 PhD students, and has an active international visitors programme. Portsmouth is a member of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), the Dark Energy Survey (DES), the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), ESA’s Euclid satellite mission, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO), the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), the Gravitational Wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO), and other international collaborations. The University of Portsmouth is a member of the South-East Physics Network (SEPnet) and hosts the 3704-core SCIAMA supercomputer. More information is available at
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, but applications are particularly encouraged from traditionally under-represented groups in science. The University of Portsmouth and the ICG hold Athena SWAN Bronze awards which show a commitment to introduce organisational and cultural practices that promote diversity and equality and create a better working environment for women and men.
Applications (application form, CV, publication list and research proposal for the fellowship) should be submitted by the closing date.
Applicants should also arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent by email to icg-recruitment@port.ac.uk to arrive by the same date.
Informal enquires are welcomed by Prof. Thomas Collett. Please email Thomas.collett@port.ac.uk.
Interviews are anticipated to be held 9 December 2024.
Discover the advantages of joining our university. We offer a range of attractive benefits and opportunities to enhance your work experience:
- Competitive salary, including incremental progression within your scale.
- Generous pension scheme.
- Generous leave entitlement of 32–35 days a year, plus bank holidays, and an additional Christmas closure.
- Family-friendly policies supporting flexible working.
- Staff discounts and loyalty schemes.
- Staff car parking and discounted public travel.
- Excellent training and development opportunities.
- Staff wellbeing programmes.
- Long service milestones, and recognition awards which may be awarded to staff for exceptional performance.
- Recreation facilities, including discounted gym membership, food on campus schemes, use of the Library and staff social activities.
- Discounted learning.
- Start-up business mentoring from expert entrepreneurs via our Entrepreneurs in Residence programme.
- The perks don’t stop there - click ‘apply’ for further information on My Reward and Benefits
UKVI Statement
Prior to submitting your application, kindly ensure that you can either demonstrate or acquire the necessary right to work in the UK. If you currently do not possess the right to work in the UK, please be aware that our offer of employment is conditional upon you obtaining it.
ED&I Statement:
We are strongly dedicated to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within our community. As an Athena SWAN and Race Equality Charter award holder, a member of Stonewall and a Disability Confident Employer we are passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, regardless of your background. We welcome applications from all talented people. In addition, we want our workforce to be representative of our diverse student population. Please see our EDI Framework and objectives.
Please note that this vacancy may be closed earlier than advertised, so early applications are advised.
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Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .