The following is a list of possible thesis projects and employment opportunities in the Astronomical Instrumentation Group. See the individual project pages for more detailed information.
Disclaimers: The list is by no means exhaustive. Also, I can't guarantee that all of these projects will be available at any given time; it will depend on funding and other circumstances.
General Comments: All of the projects listed below are based on experimental projects, because that's what I do. There is enough work here, however, to accommodate students with both experimental and theoretical preferences. On the practical side, there are experiments to be performed and instruments to be designed; while on the theoretical side, data gathered during FTS runs at the JCMT needs to be analysed. See the individual project pages (linked at left) and my published papers for more information.
Applications are invited for a Post-Doctoral fellow / Research Associate position in the development and testing of cryogenic instrumentation for submillimetre astronomy, particularly related to the proposed SPICA\SAFARI and FIRI space telescopes. The position involves work with cryogenic infrared detector systems, electronic instrumentation, and associated control and data reduction software.
- Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometers for ground and space projects: I am involved with developing imaging spectrometers for the SCUBA-2 receiver on the JCMT, as well as for the SAFARI instrument on the SPICA space mission. These projects involve optical, mechanical, software and electrical design, as well as data pipeline design and data analysis.
- Planetary and Galactic Science with the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope: Over the last several years the AIG has collected data using a submillimetre FTS at the JCMT in Hawaii, as well as the new SCUBA-2 FTS. In addition to the new SCUBA-2 data, there are still data from previous instruments that remain to be processed, analysed and interpreted. This project is well suited to any physicist with good computing skills.
- Degree Requirements: Students should have a strong undergraduate degree in physics. As stated above, I can accommodate both experimental and theoretical students. Experience in computer programming is a definite advantage, since both data analysis and modelling require substantial computations. I use IDL for all quantitative computing, but sound knowledge of any programming language would be sufficient. A background in astronomy would be an asset, but is by no means essential.
- Funds: Students on scholarships are particularly welcome. I can support a limited number of students on my research funds, but this will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Please inquire directly to me if this is relevant.
- Facilities: All graduate students will be provided with office space and a computer.
- Graduate Programme: See the U of L's Admissions page for a complete description of the graduate programme, including application procedures.