PDRA in CMB polarized foreground science

at  University of Oxford

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in CMB polarized foreground science
The post is available for a fixed-term duration of 24 months.
The successful candidate will join the Experimental Radio Cosmology and Observational Cosmology groups in Oxford working on the recently funded RadioForegroundsPlus project. The aim of RadioForegroundsPlus is to combine the nine Planck all-sky (30-857 GHz) maps, with three unique low-frequency data sets: the QUIJOTE maps (at 11, 13, 17 and 19 GHz), the C-BASS survey (at 5 GHz) and the S-PASS data (at 2.3 GHz) to provide the best possible characterization of the physical properties of polarized emissions in the microwave domain, together with an unprecedentedly thorough description of the intensity signal. This legacy information will be essential for future ground-based, sub-orbital or space experiments targeting the CMB B-Mode anisotropies. The project is coordinated by IFCA-CSIC (Spain) and, as well as the University of Oxford, the collaboration includes nodes at IAC (Spain), SISSA (Italy), CNRS (France) and Univ. of Manchester (UK). Full information on the project can be found at: https://research.iac.es/proyecto/radioforegroundsplus/.

The post in Oxford will primarily be focussed on:

• Data analysis and instrument characterization of the C-BASS experiment.
• Joint-analysis and cross-calibration of low-frequency foreground data from C-BASS, QUIJOTE and S-PASS.
• Science exploitation using the newly cross-calibrated, low-frequency foreground maps in conjunction with Planck CMB maps.
• Forecasting the impact of Galactic radio foregrounds on future CMB experiments.

The team at Oxford are also involved in other future and planned CMB and CMB Foregrounds experiments including LiteBIRD, Simons Observatory and the European Low Frequency Survey (ELFS). There will be opportunities for the successful candidate to work alongside these projects.

The main tasks of the post holder will be to:

• Develop, test, and validate analysis techniques for the C-BASS experiment.
• Develop methods to cross-calibrate data from CBASS, QUIJOTE and S-PASS.
• Contribute to the science analyses of low-frequency foregrounds and legacy CMB data.
• Carry out collaborative projects with colleagues in RadioForegroundsPlus and other collaborations that the group is a member of.

Good programming experience, an enthusiasm for coding and data analysis, and the ability to work in a large collaboration, are particularly relevant for this post.
Candidates should have experience of contributing to publications and/or presentations and be able to contribute new ideas for research projects.
The successful candidate will have or be close to obtaining a PhD in a relevant area of astronomy, physics or engineering.
The successful candidate will have a proven record of research in this area and a demonstrated capacity for independent work.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate the capablity to initiate research in a lively group and to have expertise in data analysis in cosmology.
The post-holder will have the opportunity to teach.
Please direct enquiries about the role to angela.taylor@physics.ox.ac.uk
Only applications received before midday 3 May 2024 can be considered. You will be required to upload a brief statement of research interests, CV and details of two referees as part of your online application. Your referees should submit your reference to Leanne.Odonnell@physics.ox.ac.uk before the closing date.

• Develop, test, and validate analysis techniques for the C-BASS experiment.
• Develop methods to cross-calibrate data from CBASS, QUIJOTE and S-PASS.
• Contribute to the science analyses of low-frequency foregrounds and legacy CMB data.
• Carry out collaborative projects with colleagues in RadioForegroundsPlus and other collaborations that the group is a member of