Postdoctoral Research Associate in Dark Matter

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• Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing
• Full-time, 3-years fixed term position at our Hawthorn campus
• Academic Level A salary + 17% superannuation

About the Role 
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join our vibrant research-active community of Swinburne’s Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing and work with Professors Darren Croton, Alan Duffy, and/or Jeremy Mould, as part of the Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics (CDM), located at its Swinburne University of Technology node in Melbourne, Australia.

As the Postdoctoral Research Associate, you will bring your research expertise to one of three priority areas of the CDM at Swinburne:

1. Computational/theoretical astrophysics: including using N-body/hydrodynamical and/or (semi-) analytical models to understand the nature of dark matter on astrophysical scales, and its impact on the evolution of the Universe and the galaxies, baryons, and structures within it.
2. Observational dark matter discovery: including using data from microlensing to explore primordial black hole dark matter, or more broadly, ground and space-based observatories that may offer a breakthrough in our understanding of the nature of dark matter.
3. Experimental dark matter direct detection: including contributing to WIMP-like nuclear recoil experiments with SABRE, axion detection efforts with ORGAN/ADMX, and/or high energy cosmic-ray based searches for identifying decay products of ultra-high mass dark matter.

As part of your role, you will seek to bridge across to other areas of dark matter research, making connections within the CDM and Swinburne to uncover new knowledge and create opportunities for new research directions.

Centre information
The Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics (CDM) is an Australian Research Council supported 7-year multi-node research initiative that commenced operations in early 2019. The CDM is led by Professor Elisabetta Barberio, an expert in the search for dark matter, and represents the co-operation of physicists from across Australia, in partnership with key international researchers and institutions, to pursue the discovery and understanding of the nature of dark matter.

This is a major boost to Australia’s capacity in dark matter research and provides a solid foundation for consolidating our capabilities and expertise, not only in astrophysical, theoretical, and experimental topics immediately connected to the investigation of dark matter, but also in many related scientific, medical, and engineering topics.

Over 20 postdoctoral and technical positions have been created at Swinburne and its partner organisations: the University of Melbourne (led by Nicole Bell), the Australian National University (led by Cedric Simenel), the University of Adelaide (led by Tony Williams), the University of Western Australia (led by Michael Tobar), and the University of Sydney (led by Celine Boehm). Depending on the interests of the selected candidate, the position will form part of the wider CDM Theory project team with connections across both the astrophysics and detection programs.

In addition to fundamental research, the CDM undertakes a vigorous outreach agenda that includes working with students from low socio-economic areas and encouraging the participation of minorities and underrepresented communities in science at all levels. The CDM pursues research translation and commercialisation opportunities, generating opportunities for staff to experience secondments to industry during their postdoctoral terms.

About You  
To be suitable for this role you will need to have experience in the below key accountabilities: 

• A demonstrated high level of excellence in your research area as evidenced by publications and/or technical skills and/or other relevant metrics your field ascribes value to.
• Experience generating and working with simulation data and/or observational data and/or experimental data.
• Demonstrated computational skills relevant to your field of expertise.
• Demonstrated professionalism, resourcefulness, and initiative.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Qualifications

• A PhD in physics/astrophysics, with research interests and experience in one (or more) of computational/theoretical astrophysics, observational dark matter discovery, and experimental dark matter direct detection.

About Swinburne University of Technology 
Swinburne Horizon 2025 draws upon our understanding of future challenges. With this new strategic plan, we choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research, so that:

• Every Swinburne learner gets a work experience
• Every Swinburne graduate gets a job
• Every Swinburne partner gets a tech solution
• Swinburne is the prototype of global best practice

The achievement of our 2025 moon shots depends on our capacity to work collectively, always, as One Swinburne.

To Apply 
In order to be considered for this position, please submit the following:

• CV 
• Cover letter
• Responses to the Key Selection Criteria

To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page. 

If you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to Swinburne’s Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.

For more information about the role, please contact Prof Darren Croton at dcroton@swin.edu.au

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check. 

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Swinburne Talent Acquisition Team on talentacquisition@swin.edu  

Applications Close: Sunday, 1 December 2024 at 11:30pm AEDT.  

Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Swinburne University of Technology is dedicated to creating a varied, welcoming, and open learning and work environment that embraces diversity, promotes inclusion, ensures fair access to opportunities, and actively opposes bullying, discrimination, sexual harm, victimisation, and vilification. We appreciate every individual in our community, regardless of ability/disability, age, cultural and ethnic background, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and family and relationship status. For further details on our efforts, please explore our Equity & Diversity website.

Disability and Reasonable Adjustments
Swinburne University of Technology actively supports and encourages individuals with disability to apply. We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process by ensuring that we cater to the access and participation needs of all candidates. 

For a confidential discussion regarding accessibility requirements, or to provide feedback on how we can continue to improve our recruitment processes to better accommodate adjustments you require, please reach out to talentacquisition@swin.edu.au. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We welcome and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  

For any support please contact talentacquisition@swin.edu.au  or for more information on our Indigenous strategies please follow the link to our RAP Reconciliation Action Plan

Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes 
As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.  

We are a 2023 Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant
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