PDRA in Galactic and Extragalactic Astronomy

The Role

One post is available, funded by the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), to start in October 2025. The post is for 6 months with the possibility for further extension. The successful candidate will join thriving research teams within the Institute for Computational Cosmology (ICC) at Durham. The ICC is a leading group in computational cosmology research, having previously played key roles in the development of simulation techniques for dark matter, dark energy and galaxy formation, and in the establishment of the Lambda cold dark matter (LCDM) model, and has continued to be at the forefront of cosmology research.

We are particularly interested in candidates with research interests in the following areas:

• Cosmological simulations — from planetary scales upwards
• Cosmic structure formation — nonlinear dynamics of stellar and dark matter orbits, the impact of initial conditions on late-time nonlinear structures
• Galaxy formation and galaxy-halo connection
• The Milky Way, galactic dynamics and near-field cosmology
• Properties of the intergalactic medium, spatially resolved and multi-wavelength studies of galaxies and star formation

Benefits of these roles include:

• Opportunity to undertake high quality research with connection to impact;
• Working closely with people with extensive experience in theoretical, computational and observational cosmology in the wider astronomy group where collaborations are actively encouraged;
• Opportunity to develop leadership skills, teaching experiences, and personal networks;
• Time for career development, training and development of independent research ideas.

The post holder will be expected to display the initiative and creativity, together with the appropriate skills and knowledge required, to lead and develop the research activities to meet the project goals. The post holder will be expected to be familiar with theoretical and computational cosmology, with first-hand experiences in the above-mentioned areas. The post holder is expected to be able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. It is expected that, where appropriate, the post holder will enhance the international contacts of the group through the presentation of work at international workshops and conferences. The post holder is further expected to aid in the supervision of postgraduate students within the group, as well as contributing to the undergraduate teaching within the Department.

Enquiries are welcome and should please be directed to or to Baojiu Li (baojiu.li@durham.ac.uk). All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will ideally be in post by the respective starting date for each post as mentioned above.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

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