Astronomical Instrumentation – (Ph.D.)

The Astronomy Instrumentation Group conducts research in astrophysics by developing new state-of-the-art instruments and experiments on both ground-based and satellite and balloon-borne observatories, primarily at wavelengths of around about one millimetre.

In order to stay at the technological edge the group also conducts laboratory-based development programmes in the fields of detectors, electronics and optical components. The group is involved in a huge range of experiments and has collaborations.
Potential research projects include:

* Data-taking and analysis of anisotropies in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB)
* Experimental design, data-taking and analysis for an experiment to measure the polarisation signal predicted but not yet measured from the CMB
* Development of a new interferometric technique using bolometric detectors for making high angular resolution observations of the CMB and high-redshift galaxies
* Development of new optimal data-analysis techniques for CMB experiments
* Development, manufacture and testing of new cryogenic (<1Kelvin) detectors and coolers
* Theoretical studies of the CMB pattern and its relationship to the physics of the very early universe.

Special Features:
* Research students take specialist academic courses and courses to develop their communication and personal skills.
* There is a full programme of seminars and the individual research groups hold regular meetings where members present new results and discuss their research in detail.
* There is an annual postgraduate conference and a research student poster competition.
* There are active collaborations with research groups overseas and regular attendance at major international conferences by staff and students.