Degree type
PhD
Closing date
1 June 2025
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic
About the research project
Accretion of matter onto supermassive black holes at the centres of galaxies releases the most energetic outbursts in the Universe. Resultant jets of synchrotron-emitting plasma, visible to radio telescopes, burrow through the surrounding gas in the host galaxy and larger-scale galaxy cluster. The jets eventually switch off, with the remnant plasma bubbles quickly becoming invisible as they buoyantly rise through the cluster. However, dynamical events such as cluster shocks and turbulence can re-accelerate the dormant plasma, making it once again detectable in synchrotron emission by radio telescopes. Observations of such radio relics are already being collected by leading international telescopes, including Square Kilometre Array pathfinder instruments such as ASKAP. The aim of this project is to construct a theoretical framework to interpret these data.
This project will use analytical modelling and highly parallel High Performance Computing (HPC) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical simulations of relativistic jets, to predict detailed radio synchrotron emission as the jet plasma interacts with its dynamic environment through different stages of the jet lifecycle. Comparison of model predictions with data from SKA pathfinders will probe the dynamics of large scale structures, and map out the relationships between synchrotron emission and state of the cluster gas.
This project will be performed in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Hertfordshire, International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), the Australian National University (ANU), and CSIRO.
Primary Supervisor
Funding
Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:
- a living allowance stipend of $33,511 per annum (2025 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
- a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
- a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)
If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.
As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.
Other funding opportunities and fees
For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit Scholarships and fees.
Eligibility
Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.
Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.
Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:
- Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus
Selection Criteria
The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.
Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:
- Honours or Masters degree in physics, astronomy, or a closely related area
- Capacity for critical thinking and quantitative problem solving
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Experience in any of: galaxy formation, High Performance Computing, computational fluid dynamics, Python or C coding, radio astronomy
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Prof Stas Shabala to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
- In your application:
- Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
- Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
- Apply prior to 1 June 2025.
Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section at Research degrees.
Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.
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