The Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) project has announced a secondary call for funding for three postdoctoral fellowship positions in universities and institutions in African SKA Partner Countries (APCs) of Namibia, Zambia and Mozambique. Â
Thematic Areas
Applicants are encouraged to implement;
- Research programmes in astrophysics relevant to radio astronomy.
- Projects utilising machine learning (ML) or artificial intelligence (AI) approaches relevant to radio astronomy are also eligible.Â
Collaborators and mentors from the DARA team of academics and space sector industrial partners from the UK and South Africa will support fellows. They will become part of the emerging community of African researchers who will be in a strong position to utilise facilities on the African continent, such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). Â
Fellows will also be encouraged to participate in developing and delivering training programmes in Africa related to initiatives by DARA, SARAO and others. As part of SARAO’s Africa Programme, two-element training interferometer dishes of 3- 4 m diameter will be deployed in each of the three countries and Transient Array Radio Telescopes (TARTs). There is potential for the 3-4 m dishes also to be used for the downlink of satellite EO data. The aim is to enable space sector hubs where radio astronomy, remote sensing, space AI applications and entrepreneurship can thrive. Candidates are expected to be committed to remaining in their selected host country, and the host institution is encouraged to offer a permanent position once the fellowship ends.
Benefits
The position has dedicated funds of up to GPB 11,000 annually to cover the postdoctoral fellow’s travel cost. This covers travel to conferences and visits to collaborators in the UK, South Africa, or other African countries. An additional GBP 5,000 is allocated for a research workstation computer. Up to GBP 10,000 is also available for a research-grade GPU chip if needed for the proposed research.
Additional Notes
- The exact salary level is to be agreed between the host institute and the DARA project. It should be between a minimum for a typical junior lecturer at the host institution and a maximum take-home rate of ZAR 450,000 per year.
- The DARA project will monitor performance every six months, and, dependent on satisfactory progress, continued funding will be provided until the project’s completion.
- Applicants must have already obtained a PhD in Astrophysics or another relevant subject or be able to obtain one before their proposed start date.
- The applicant needs to get the agreement of an institution based in Namibia, Zambia or Mozambique to host their Fellowship. Teaching and/or administrative duties must not take up more than 6 hours per week of the Fellow’s time. The applicant and the host institution must fill out their respective application forms, available from the links below.
How to Apply
The completed forms, together with a CV and a science case (maximum of 3 pages in 11pt font) from the applicant, need to be emailed as PDFs to the DARA Principal Investigator, Prof Melvin Hoare, at m.g.hoare@leeds.ac.uk  by the 20th of October 2024. Applicants can apply through this link.
Furthermore, the applicant should name two referees and request they send letters of recommendation to the same address by the deadline. The positions can start immediately and are funded until 31 March 2027. Later start dates will also be considered.
For enquiries, email Professor Melvin Hoare.
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