It is widely believed that very shortly after the Big Bang, the universe underwent a period of very rapid expansion, called inflation. Cardiff University has leading roles in the development of new international experiments to observe the residual radiation from the Big Bang, using precision polarimetric observations of the cosmic microwave background (CMB), to search for so-called “B-modes”, widely regarded as a “smoking gun” of inflation.
Two major projects are the ground-based Simons Observatory, and the future satellite mission, LiteBIRD. The student will become a member of the international teams working on both projects.
The PhD project will involve the development of new refractive optical systems that will meet the highly demanding requirements of these experiments, and other future instrument concepts. Optical components need to be developed from new materials, with novel anti-reflection coatings, and fully characterised at very low temperatures to a very high degree of precision.
A large cryogenic test facility has been developed in Cardiff, working with the European Space Agency, and the student will take the lead in running this facility throughout their studies.
The impact of the performance of the proposed optical systems on experimental capabilities will be critically evaluated by the student, working in collaboration with the international teams.
These components will be integrated into instruments for the Simons Observatory, and the student will be involved with the end-to-end integration and characterisation of the full instrument, and assist with the on-sky commissioning and data analysis.
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This project will be funded by the STFC.
Applicants should apply to the Doctor of Philosophy in Physics and Astronomy with a start date of 1st October 2022.
How to Apply:
Applicants should submit an application for postgraduate study via the Cardiff University webpages
(https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/programme/physics-and-astronomy)
including:
• an upload of your CV
• a personal statement/covering letter
• two references
• Current academic transcripts
Applicants should select Doctor of Philosophy, with a start date of October 2022.
In the research proposal section of your application, please specify the project title and supervisors of this project. If you are applying for more than one project, please list the individual titles of the projects in the text box provided. In the funding section, please select ’I will be applying for a scholarship/grant’ and specify that you are applying for advertised funding from the STFC. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview in February.
Entry requirements:
Candidates should have obtained, or be about to obtain a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree in Physics, or a related subject, Alternatively, applicants with equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK will also be considered. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have a Master’s degree.
Applicants whose first language is not English are normally expected to meet the minimum University requirements (e.g. 6.5 IELTS)
Please see our English Language Requirements guidance (https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements) for more details.
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