PhD Studentship in Astrophysics: Quasar Feedback in the Radio Band: Obscuration & Cosmic Ray Acceleration

Award summary

100% fees covered, and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £19,237 (2024/25 UKRI rate).

Overview

Every massive galaxy hosts a supermassive black hole in its centre. Accretion onto supermassive black holes releases tremendous energy, powering quasars that influence galaxy evolution. Energy input through radiation, winds, and jets interacts with interstellar gas, producing shocks and galactic outflows. These shocks also accelerate relativistic particles—“cosmic rays”—that spiral along magnetic fields, impacting galaxy properties and generating synchrotron radio emission. Recent radio observations of quasars reveal an intriguing correlation: quasars more deeply buried in gas – more obscured – produce stronger radio emission. Is enhanced radio emission a direct signature of quasar impact on these galaxies?

This PhD project addresses this question using cosmological simulations of quasar winds and jets interacting with interstellar gas and dust. New features include cutting-edge models for quasar winds, jets, cosmic ray transport, and shock-front acceleration. Synthetic radio observations will be compared with telescope data to test theoretical models of quasar impact.

The project involves implementing physical processes in the moving-mesh hydrodynamic code Arepo, performing simulations on supercomputers, analysing TB-scale datasets, producing synthetic observations, and comparing with telescope data. The successful applicant will join a team of experts and international collaborations. An interest in theoretical modelling and programming is essential.

Number of awards: 1

Start date: 1^st October 2025

Award duration: 3.5 years

Sponsor: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) DTP

Supervisors

Dr Tiago Costa

Dr Chris Harrison

Eligibility criteria

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (Physics or Applied Mathematics). Enthusiasm for research, the ability to think and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are essential requirements.

Home and international applicants (inc. EU) are welcome to apply and if successful will receive a full studentship. Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills.

International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme.

How to apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:

• Search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8821F
• Please leave the Research Area blank
• Select ‘PhD Physics Theoretical (full time) as the programme of study

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (this is a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form
• The studentship code MSP087 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field
• When prompted for how you are providing your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert. You do not need to upload a research proposal.

You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application.

Contact details

For further details, please contact:

Dr Tiago Costa, e-mail: tiago.costa@newcastle.ac.uk

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