PhD scholarship to work in the design and development of Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs)

The Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS) is offering a four year PhD scholarship to work in the design and development of Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) for use in optical/near-infrared astronomy. The successful student will join the new MKIDs group led by Professor Tom Ray and funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). This project is in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin, Maynooth University, the University of Oxford and the Netherlands Institute for Space Research.

Requirements: applicants need to have gained a first class or upper second honours degree (or equivalent) or a master’s degree in physics, astronomy or a related discipline. A good command of English, to at least IELTS level 6.5, is also required for international applicants. Students will be expected to start in early 2018.

Benefits: The salary scale is in line with that for SFI students (currently 18,500 euro per year tax free). All university tuition fees, travel expenses, etc., are covered separately by DIAS. DIAS is an equal opportunity employer.

The Astronomy and Astrophysics Section of DIAS, where the successful student will be based, is located in the center of Dublin. About 25 scientists work in the section on a variety of problems including star formation, supernovae, massive stars and astronomical detector development. We also have guaranteed time on JWST, LOFAR, and other facilities.

For enquires please contact Prof Tom Ray (tr@cp.dias.ie) from whom further details can be obtained.

Applicants should include the following documents with their application: degree certificates and transcript of records, a brief description of their research interests and experience, along with the names and contact details of two referees who can be approached for letters of recommendation. Completed applications (prefarably as one PDF file) should be sent directly to Eileen Flood (eflood@cp.dias.ie) and those submitted by 18th December 2017 will receive our full consideration.