Overview of the CDT
This project is being offered as part of the STFC Centre for Doctoral Training in Data Intensive Science, called NUdata, which is a collaboration between Northumbria and Newcastle Universities, STFC, and a portfolio of over 40 industrial partners, including SMEs, large/multinational companies, Government and not-for profit organisations, and international humanitarian organisations. Please visit https://research.northumbria.ac.uk/nudata/ for full information.
About the Project
In its first year of observations, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will undertake a series of imaging and spectroscopic surveys of the deep sky, the most advanced ever taken. These data will give us the ability to track the light emitted by hot dust in the immediate vicinity of growing supermassive black holes, also called Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), back to when the Universe was less than a billion years old. In this project, the student will perform the advanced Bayesian modelling of the wavelength-dependent light distribution of thousands of AGN within JWST surveys. We will incorporate new physical models for the dust emission from AGN, and use Machine Learning techniques, such as convolutional neural networks, to optimise the an existing modelling framework to handle the large and complex datasets involved. Our analysis will give us the first-ever study of the evolution of the accretion environment of black holes across much of the history of the Universe.
Over the course of their PhD, the student will gain parallel experience with the data processing and management of cutting-edge JWST observations using high-performance computing resources. These outputs will be invaluable for diverse applications in extragalactic astronomy, including future work by the student, our team, and the scientific community.
Eligibility and How to Apply:
This studentship is available to home * and international applicants.
You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system.
You will need to:
- Insert the programme code (8821F) in the programme of study section
- Select ‘PhD Physics (FT) (Theoretical) as the programme of study
- Insert the studentship code (e.g. NUDATA01) in the studentship/partnership reference field
- attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code (e.g. NUDATA01) and state how your interests and experience relate to the project
- Attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.
Please note:
You must include the relevant advert reference/studentship code (e.g. NUDATA05) in your application.
The NUdata CDT is offering multiple potential PhD projects this year. If you are interested in more than one of the offered projects, then you can say this in the cover letter of your application and then either [1] you can specifically indicate the other projects you are interested in, or [2] state you are happy to be considered for other projects in general. If you are shortlisted, we will then contact you to discuss these other projects. You are strongly encouraged to do this.
You do not need to submit a research proposal for the proposed project, since the project is already defined by the supervisor. If you have your own research idea and wish to pursue that, then this is also possible - please indicate this on your application (if this is the case, then please include a research proposal of approximately 300 words).
Northumbria and Newcastle Universities take pride in, and value, the quality and diversity of our students and staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community. We offer all applicants full guidance on the application process and on details of the CDT. For informal enquiries, email Professor James McLaughlin (Northumbria: [Email Address Removed] ) or Professor Tamara Rogers (Newcastle: [Email Address Removed] ). Please contact the Principal Supervisor of the project(s) for project-specific enquiries.
Deadline for applications: Friday 29th April 2022
Start Date: 1st October 2022
Funding Notes
Home and International students (inc. EU) are welcome to apply. The studentship is available to Home and International students, and includes a full stipend at UKRI rates (for 2021/22 full time study, this is £ £16,062pa) and full tuition fees. Also, additional funding is included to cover research costs and local, national and international travel such as conferences.
We have a limited number of International awards available.
* please note: to be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
- have settled status, or
- have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
- have indefinite leave to remain or enter.
If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student.
Further information about how UKRI classifies international fee status please see Annex B of https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/UKRI-050422-TrainingGrantTermsConditionsGuidance-Apr2022.pdf
Applicants should be aware of the following additional costs that you may incur as these are not covered by the studentship.
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