Research Fellow - GCE & Habitability with a Multi-scale Simulation Suite

University of Hertfordshire - School of Physics Engineering and Computer Science/Department of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics/Centre for Astrophysics Research (CAR)

Location: Hatfield

Salary: £38,784 to £46,049 pa by annual increments on achieving designated skills and experience. UH7

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 9th March 2026

Closes: 6th April 2026

Job Ref: REQ000585

FTE: 1.0 (working 37 hours per week) (Part-time working will be considered)

Duration of Contract: Fixed term (36 months)

Annual Leave: 35 days plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of the University between Christmas and New Year

Location: College Lane campus, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Main duties and responsibilities

Applications are invited for a 36-month research fellow position to lead and publish original scientific investigations in the area of galaxy formation and evolution. A focus will be on designing, testing, and implementing advanced Bayesian Inference techniques to synchronise the L-EDGE simulations. L-EDGE is a new, multi-scale simulation suite which combines cosmological-scale and super-high-resolution simulations to study galaxy evolution across eight orders of magnitude in mass and size. Once synchronised, L-EDGE will be used to coherently study galaxy chemical evolution (GCE), planet formation, and habitability in both Local Group environments and across the cosmos. Further application to other inherently multi-scale phenomena, such as star formation, supernova feedback, and AGN growth & feedback, is also a possibility.

The successful applicant will work in a small and dedicated team led by the Principal investigator which currently includes two PhD students and a set of internal & external collaborators, as well as having collaboration opportunities with the ~60 other academic staff, research fellows, and postgraduate students at CAR. They will have access to in-house high-performance computing facilities, the opportunity to apply for super-computing time on DiRAC, and membership to the L-Galaxies and BRID-GCE research networks. Funding is available for travel to international conferences and collaboration meetings. The successful applicant will also be expected to regularly contribute to a positive and productive working atmosphere within CAR/PAM, by contributing to institute seminars, journal clubs, group meetings, etc.

Skills and experience required

You will have an impressive track record of research in a relevant area of expertise including theoretical astrophysics. You will also have a record of submitting/publishing scientific research in leading astronomical journals. You will have experience in presenting your work at scientific conferences, workshops or seminars, and experience of scientific programming.

Qualifications required

You will be educated with a Degree or equivalent level 6 qualification, or higher qualification in a relevant discipline and must either hold, or by the start date have submitted their thesis for, a PhD (or equivalent level 8 qualification) in Astrophysics or a closely related discipline.

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria.

Internal applicants – please ensure you apply via your employee self service portal.

An appointment to this role may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

Please note, this post cannot be visa sponsored unless you can evidence a PhD / Doctorate.

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: For more information or to discuss the post, please contact Dr Rob Yates (r.yates3@herts.ac.uk).

Closing Date: 06 April 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed