Probing cosmic gas with black hole jets

Probing intergalactic gas and galaxy evolution with black hole jets

Degree type

PhD

Closing date

1 April 2024

Campus

Hobart

Citizenship requirement

Domestic / International

Scholarship

$32,192pa for 3.5 years

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. This gas is the raw fuel from which stars are made, and by imparting some of their energy to it the black hole jets are known to regulate the star formation history of the most massive galaxies.

Because they are so bright, the black hole jets are visible across most of the Universe. By illuminating the otherwise invisible gas between the jets and Earth-based observers, observations of polarized emission towards jets provide a unique probe of the tenuous cosmic web of gas. Relevant observations are already being collected by leading international telescopes, including Square Kilometre Array pathfinder instruments. 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 and polarization signatures of these jets as they interact with the surrounding gas. Comparison of model predictions with data from SKA pathfinders will probe intergalactic gas, and measure the feedback imparted by the jets on their surroundings.

Primary Supervisor

Meet A/Prof Stas Shabala

Funding

The successful applicant will receive a scholarship which provides:

  • a living allowance stipend co-funded by ARC and the College of Science and Engineering of $32,192 per annum (2024 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 our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

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

  1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
  2. Contact A/Prof Stas Shabala to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
  3. 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.
  4. Apply prior to 1 April 2024.

Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section of the Research Degrees website.

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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