Time-domain Astronomy with the Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO)

PhD position in Physics at Warwick University - Time-domain Astronomy with the Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO)

Prof Danny Steeghs, Dr Joe Lyman

Overview

We invite applications from outstanding and highly motivated students for the Warwick Prize Scholarships in Astrophysics. The successful applicant will work with Prof Danny Steeghs and Dr Joe Lyman within the Astronomy and Astrophysics group in the Department of Physics at the University of Warwick.

This project will exploit the Gravitational Wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO) telescope array to study the electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave-sources and other explosive transients. 

The first ever detection of an electromagnetic counterpart to a gravitational wave source came in 2017, shortly after the Nobel Prize award for the first direct detection of gravitational waves. Discovering electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational waves has the potential to unlock answers to fundamental questions about the origin of the elements, the physics of relativistic jets, and the cosmology of the Universe, among others. Warwick is leading the development of the Gravitational Wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO) project - a wide-field sky-survey designed specifically to capture these fleeting electromagnetic transients.

 The project will work on optimising the strategy of GOTO to react to gravitational wave triggers, as well as exploring future multi-messenger synergies, including neutrino and high-energy cosmic ray follow-up. The successful applicant will be involved in the coordination of intensive spectroscopic and photometric follow-up campaigns for discoveries of new transients made by GOTO.

Warwick is an internationally recognised centre of research excellence. Our group takes leading roles in many major ground and space-based projects, including the Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO), Next Generation Transit Survey (NGTS), PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars (PLATO) telescope, Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), WHT Enhanced Area Velocity Explorer (WEAVE) spectrograph, 4-metre Multi-Object Spectrograph Telescope (4MOST), and Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI).

The Astronomy & Astrophysics group is part of the Physics Department at Warwick; both the department and the university hold Athena SWAN Silver awards, a national initiative to promote gender equality for all staff and students. The Physics Department is also a Juno Champion, which is an award from the Institute of Physics to recognise our efforts to address the under-representation of women in university physics and to encourage better practice for all. The Astronomy & Astrophysics group also hosts monthly equitea forums to break down barriers faced by all under-represented groups in science.

More details on PhD positions with the Astronomy and Astrophysics group at Warwick are available here.

Start Date: October 2023

Funding Duration: 3.5-4.0 years

Applications due by: 10 January 2023

Eligibility

You must have or expect a First or Upper second class MSci, MPhys or equivalent degree in Physics or a closely related discipline. Holders of BSc honours degrees are eligible but successful BSc applicants typically have substantial additional research experience. International equivalents are detailed here.

For students whose first language is not English, we normally require a score of 6.5 in IELTS or equivalent. If your previous degree was taught in an English-speaking country this requirement may be waived.

The award is available to home and international applicants.

How To Apply

You must apply through the University’s online application system and follow the instructions. Use course code P-F3P0. Make sure to state an interest in the Astronomy and Astrophysics group. Please state ‘Warwick Prize Scholarships’ as the funding option. We encourage applicants to express interest in more than one available PhD project.

 Funding Notes

The project will provide a full UK-standard annual tax-free stipend of £18,200, rising with inflation, plus allocations for travel and computing.