Stars form in dense molecular clouds throughout the interstellar medium (ISM). Although observational studies have established what the conditions necessary for star formation are, very few constraints exist on how, why, and where those conditions arise in the Galaxy. Our current poor understanding of the molecular cloud formation process is one of the major barriers to a predictive theory of star formation.
Observations provide only a snapshot in time of the ISM, and regions undergoing cloud and star formation can be difficult to pick out using traditional methods. Because of this we lack a reliable timeline and global census of the clouds the Galaxy has formed.
This project will use wide-field surveys of the Milky Way plane in a variety of line tracers (e.g. CO, HI, HCN) to map the distribution of clouds in the earliest phase of formation. Artificial intelligence techniques will be used to develop a holistic picture of the distribution, stability and internal kinematics of molecular clouds, and their relation to their local environment in the Galaxy. Through the comparison with synthetic observations produced by numerical simulations (provided by P. Clark), we will utilise machine learning techniques to develop an evolutionary sequence of molecular clouds, providing a potentially profound insight into current theories of molecular cloud formation and evolution.
Eligibility
The typical academic requirement is a minimum of a 2:1 physics and astronomy or a relevant discipline.
Applicants whose first language is not English are normally expected to meet the minimum University requirements (e.g. IELTS 6.5 Overall with 5.5 minimum in sub-scores) (https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements)
How to apply
Applicants should apply to the Doctor of Philosophy in Physics and Astronomy with a start date of 1st October 2023.
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:
• your academic CV
• Your degree certificates and transcripts to date including certified translations if these are not in English
• a personal statement/covering letter
• two references, at least one of which should be academic. Your references can be emailed by the referee to [Email Address Removed]
Please note: We are do not contact referees directly for references for each applicant due to the volume of applications we receive.
In the "Research Proposal" section of your application, please specify the project title and supervisors of this project. You can apply for up to three of our advertised STFC projects by listing them in order of preference in the free text area of the "Research Proposal" section of the online application form.
In the funding section, please select that you will not be self-funding and write that the source of funding will be STFC.
Once the deadline for applications has passed, we will review your application and advise you within a few weeks if you have been shortlisted for an interview.
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