The Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) project will fund up to 12 post-doctoral Fellowship positions in universities and institutions located in the African SKA Partner Countries (APCs). The APCs are Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Madagascar, Mozambique and Mauritius. Research programmes in astrophysics relevant to radio astronomy will be prioritized, but complementary multi-wavelength areas will also be considered. Projects that utilize machine learning (ML) or artificial intelligence (AI) approaches are also encouraged. Researchers from the Earth Observation (EO) and Space Science fields can also apply where they propose to use ML/AI techniques that have synergies with those useful for astrophysics and can contribute to a strong collaborative environment in data science.
Applicants will be hosted at an institute in an APC and need to get the agreement of the institution to host their Fellowship, as part of the application process. A list of contacts in current DARA APC institutes is available here, however candidates are welcome to apply to be hosted at other institutes within the APCs.
The positions can start as soon as possible and are funded up to 31st March 2027. Later start dates will also be considered. Applicants must have already obtained a PhD in Astrophysics, Space Science or Earth Observation or be in a position to obtain one prior to their proposed start date.
The DARA programme is funded by the UK’s International Science Partnerships Fund as part of Official Development Assistance (UK overseas aid). Hence, citizens from developing countries in Africa are particularly encouraged to apply. The programme is committed to promoting gender equality and therefore we actively encourage applications from female candidates.
For a full job description and details of how to apply, see below.
If you have any questions about the position or application procedure, or with issues in finding a suitable host institution, do not hesitate to write to Prof Melvin Hoare at m.g.hoare@leeds.ac.uk.
Application Process
To apply, both the applicant and the host institution need to fill out the respective applications forms below. The completed forms, together with 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 21st July 2024. The applicant should name two referees and request that they send letters of recommendation to the same email address by the deadline.