Institute of Astronomy

Vacancies

The Institute of Astronomy offers a number of PhD and Masters opportunities each year. Details of these can be found on the admissions pages.

Current and previous employment opportunities at the Institute can be found below.

You can also view some of the positions  on the University Jobs page here.

Open Vacancies

PhD Studentship - Cosmic dust as a feedstock for prebiotic chemistry on Mars and exoplanets

Published on 24/03/2023 
Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
Salary: 
£17,668
Starting Date: 
1 October 2023
Tenure: 
4 Years

Title: Cosmic dust as a feedstock for prebiotic chemistry on Mars and exoplanets
Supervisor:  Dr Oliver Shorttle

Application Information: 

This is a 4 year fully funded studentship (fees and maintenance).

The annual maintenance rate is currently £17,668 which rises annually in line with the national UKRI rate.  Funds will also be available to enable the holder to attend conferences, meetings, workshops etc.

If you are interested in finding out more about this project or how to apply please email: admissions@ast.cam.ac.uk
 

 

Application Deadline Date: 
16 May 2023

UKRI Marie Sklodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher: MWGaiaDN: Revealing the Milky Way with Gaia

Published on 23/03/2023 
Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
Reference: 
LG35882
Salary: 
Approximately £40,000 per annum
Starting Date: 
1st October 2023
Tenure: 
3 years in the first instance

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

In preparation for the ESA PLATO mission, spectroscopy data coupled with data from Gaia have an important role in building up a detailed knowledge of the bright star sample that will be targeted by PLATO. Detailed chemical analysis studies of exoplanet host stars have been used to infer that low metallicity stars that host exoplanets have an overabundance of alpha- elements. Precise chemical determinations of the host stars of exoplanets can potentially be used to statistically infer the makeup of their orbiting planets (terrestrial-like, gas-dwarf planets or gas giant planets). However, recent studies are revealing a range of subtle and sometimes conflicting results and trends (e.g. lack of clear correlations between stellar metallicity and planetary residual metallicity that would be predicted from Giant planet formation models). Comprehensive studies in twilight time survey of bright exoplanet host stars using new multi-object spectrographs are now being planned. These observations will provide detailed, high precision, chemical (covering a range of elements sampling the main nucleosynthesis pathways) characterization of bright stars likely to be observed with PLATO. Gaia data will be used to establish the host stars within their local (10pc) environment. Additionally the correlations between host stars, their nearby neighbour star chemo-dynamical properties and their exoplanet systems will be investigated. Pilot studies will be carried out, initially against known star/exoplanet systems being discovered by TESS. The high precision abundances obtained will be important in understanding star-planet environmental effects. The PhD project will involve the definition and implementation of a potential WEAVE twilight survey, a wider investigation of contaminating sources (involving assessment of the Gaia release investigating close pairs), and comparison of exoplanet host star properties (chemo-dynamic) to their local neighbourhood.

This PhD project is carried out as part of the new MWGaiaDN network (see https://www.mwgaiadn.eu/). This consists of 10 academic partners across Europe at which 12 PhD students will be active in the network researching a range of topics with Gaia and other data. The network students will be able to participate in a range of cross network training and research events.

The Early Stage Researcher will be required to enroll as a PhD Student (as a staff member) for which a student fee is applicable. The successful candidate will be expected to spend periods on secondment stays at network partners, likely Padova and Dublin.

The salary is expected to be approximately £40,000 per annum (in line with Marie Curie Pay scales supported by a UKRI grant matching the terms of the EU MSCA studentship). Details of eligibility, further information and how to apply are found in the further particulars at the bottom of the advertisement.

 

Application Information: 

Click 'Apply' to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please submit your application by 23:59 GMT of the closing date of Wednesday, 3rd May 2023. Interviews will be conducted on Tuesday 30th May. If you have any queries about your application or wish to make an informal enquiry, please contact the Senior HR Coordinator hr@ast.cam.ac.uk. Dr Nicholas Walton is also available to provide further information (naw@ast.cam.ac.uk)

Please quote reference LG35882 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Application Deadline Date: 
3 May 2023
Application Deadline Information: 
Applications to be received by 23:59 GMT

IT Manager

Published on 02/03/2023 
Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
Reference: 
LG35701
Salary: 
£43,414 - £54,949

Are you looking for an opportunity to join a world-leading institution that recognises their staff as their greatest asset? Do you have the skills and experience to create and deliver a strategic IT vision to enhance the digital environment, enabling the Institute of Astronomy (IoA) to fulfil its goals to deliver world-leading research, teaching and learning? We are looking for an IT Manager to join the IoA, with the responsibility of creating and delivering the IT vision of the department through a team of IT professionals.

Application Deadline Date: 
30 March 2023

Project Coordinator

Published on 15/02/2023 
Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
Reference: 
LG35493
Salary: 
£27,929 - £32,348
Tenure: 
3 years

The Institute of Astronomy (IoA) is committed to enriching the workplace experience through practices that promote mutual respect and wellbeing, providing opportunities for each member of the community to contribute to delivery of excellence in research, teaching, education and administration. To help us attain this goal we are looking for an experienced Project Coordinator to support the Heads of Department and Department Administrator in the implementation of mutual respect and wellbeing related initiatives in IoA.

Application Deadline Date: 
2 April 2023

Closed Vacancies

Stephen Hawking Fellowships

Published on 11/11/2022 
Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
Salary: 
£34,308 - £42,155
Starting Date: 
Flexible, depending on application date
Tenure: 
3 years

The Institute of Astronomy is pleased to invite applications from suitably qualified researchers who wish to apply for a Stephen Hawking Fellowship to be held at the Institute in an area that complements or enhances research being undertaken at the Institute.

The Stephen Hawking fellowships will support and develop the next generation of visionary scientists in theoretical physics (including cosmology and theoretical astrophysics) at the beginning of their career. This scheme aims to support excellent researchers who will make significant contributions to the field of theoretical physics and continue to spark public interest in the field. 

For further details please see: Stephen Hawking Postdoctoral Fellowship – UKRI

In the first instance applicants should make contact with a member of the Institute's Academic Staff who has related research interests to discuss the possibility of hosting the fellowship within the Institute.

Once academic support has been secured, applicants should inform the department administration of their intent to apply by e-mailing fellowships@ast.cam.ac.uk so that we can help you process this application. This should be done as soon as possible, but at the latest by 10th March.

The funder deadline for this round has been set at 30th March 2023. All materials will need to be submitted to UKRI via the JES system by the end of the day on 23rd March to give time for checking, approval and ultimate submission by Cambridge University Research Services Division.

 

Application Deadline Date: 
10 March 2023

Royal Society Newton International Fellowships

Published on 17/01/2018 
Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
Salary: 
£34,308 - £42,155
Starting Date: 
Between 01 October 2023 and 29 February 2024
Tenure: 
3 Years

The Institute of Astronomy is pleased to invite expressions of interest from suitably qualified researchers who wish to apply for a Newton International Fellowship to be held at the Institute. 

The Newton International Fellowship programme provides support for outstanding early career researchers to make a first step towards developing an independent research career through gaining experience across international borders. The fellowships will enable researchers to access expertise, gain new perspectives and build long-lasting collaborative relationships. The fellowship provides three years funding to attract international early career researchers to establish and conduct their research in a UK host organisation.

To be eligible to apply you must:

  • have a PhD, or will have a PhD by the time the funding starts
  • have no more than seven years of active full time postdoctoral experience at the time of application (discounting career breaks, but including teaching experience and/or time spent in industry on research)
  • be working outside the UK
  • not hold UK citizenship

Applicants are permitted to apply for up to £350,000 to cover their own salary, on -costs and related overheads for the three years of the fellowship, as well as research expenses funding.

For further details, please see: Newton International Fellowships | Royal Society

  • In the first instance applicants should make contact with a member of the Institute's Academic Staff who has related research interests to discuss the possibility of hosting the fellowship within the Institute. 

  • We ask that applicants secure support from a member of our academic staff, and then inform our administration of their intent to apply (by e-mailing fellowships@ast.cam.ac.uk) by 3rd March 2023 at the latest.

  • Applications must be submitted by the applicant by 21st March to allow time for internal approval before the Royal Society deadline on 28th March. 

Application Deadline Date: 
3 March 2023