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School of Physical and Chemical Sciences
  1. School of Physical and Chemical Sciences
  2. Chemistry
  3. PhD/Research
  4. PhD Projects
  5. Observational cosmology with upcoming surveys

Observational cosmology with upcoming surveys

Research Group: Astronomy Unit
Number of Students: 1
Length of Study in Years: 4 Years
Full-time Project: yes

Funding

Funding is provided via the China Scholarship Council.  

  • Available to Chinese applicants only.
  • Applicant required to start in September 2025.
  • The studentship arrangement will cover overseas tuition fees for the duration of the studentship.

 

Project Description

We are now entering a golden age of observational cosmology, with multiple gigantic large-scale structure surveys coming online throughout the next decades. These will map out the cosmic matter distribution over larger volumes, and further back in time, than ever before, and promise to reveal the physical nature of elusive forces and fields such as dark matter, dark energy, and possible modifications to General Relativity. Several large survey telescopes will begin operation in the next few years, including the optical ground-based LSST (at the Vera Rubin Observatory), optical/near-infrared space-based Euclid mission, and the Square Kilometre Array and its precursors in the radio. Even observations of colliding black hole sirens can be used to map out the universe with the Einstein Telescope. Thanks to the sheer size of these surveys, and the possibility of combining them together in multi-wavelength, multi-tracer analyses, we may soon be able to detect subtle relativistic effects and hints of new fields and forces for the very first time.

During this project, the PhD student will develop data analysis and artificial intelligence techniques and/or theoretical models required to extract and interpret observational cosmology data from these types of surveys. This project could include:

  • Constructing and characterising novel observables designed to uncover subtle relativistic effects, e.g. via multipoles of the multi-tracer bispectrum.
  • Simulating maps and images of galaxies in the radio and optical, in order to develop and test ways of extracting novel gravitational signatures from large-scale structure surveys.
  • Incorporating new theoretical models into the data analysis machinery of big surveys in order to distinguish between different theories of dark energy.

Requirements

Application Method:

To apply for this studentship and for entry on to the Chemistry programme (Full Time) please follow the instructions detailed on the following webpage:

https://www.qmul.ac.uk/spcs/phdresearch/application-process/#apply

Deadline for application - 31st of January 2025

Supervisor Contact Details:

For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Chris Clarkson

E-mail: chris.clarkson@qmul.ac.uk

  • The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) and MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent).
  • You will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking) at the time of application to the CSC.

SPCS Academics: Professor Chris Clarkson

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