PhD position in radio transient astronomy

CNRS/LPC2E; France; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A premier research organization in France is offering a PhD position focused on studying Long Period Transients (LPTs) using data from the upcoming CHORD radio telescope. The successful candidate will optimize signal processing algorithms and analyze data related to pulsars and transients. Candidates should have a degree in Astronomy or a related field, and prior research experience would be beneficial. The role demands strong analytical skills and a commitment to full-time research. Application materials include a personal statement, CV, reference letters, and transcripts.

Qualifications

• Applicants should have an undergraduate and/or master's degree in Astronomy or closely related fields.
• Full-time commitment is required.
• Good command of the English language is essential.

Responsabilités

• Optimize specific modules of signal processing algorithms.
• Participate in time series data processing and modeling.
• Exploit ML algorithms to reduce false positives in observational data.
• Manage data processing and assess search outputs.

Connaissances

Machine Learning

Data Processing

Signal Processing

Time Series Analysis

Research Experience

Formation

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Astronomy or related field

Description du poste

Organisation/Company CNRS/LPC2E Research Field Technology Computer science » Informatics Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Leading Researcher (R4) First Stage Researcher (R1) Established Researcher (R3) Country France Application Deadline 30 Jan 2026 - 22:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Recent advancements in technology have enabled astronomers to digitize the radio sky down to a fraction of a second. This unprecedented time resolution provides sensitivity to transient phenomena to which we would have otherwise been blind. A great example is Long Period Transients (LPTs) — an emerging and novel class of coherent radio sources that challenge our understanding of neutron star emission physics. Unlike canonical pulsars, which exhibit rotational periods of milliseconds to a few seconds, LPTs show periodic emission on timescales of tens of seconds to minutes and even hours. The discovery of LPTs is entirely unexpected; it has long been thought that as neutron stars spin down and gradually lose rotational energy, pair production and coherent radio emission should cease beyond the so‑called “pulsar death line”.

The existence of such long-period emitters raises fundamental questions about how coherent emission is generated in magnetospheres when the available potential drop would be insufficient to sustain pair cascades. To date, only about a dozen LPTs have been uncovered, although the extreme intermittent nature of many of them suggests that many more such objects are yet to be detected. Understanding LPTs is critical for advancing models of neutron star magnetospheres, testing the limits of particle acceleration and plasma generation, and potentially uncovering evolutionary links between pulsars, magnetars, and other transient radio phenomena such as Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs). In short, studying LPTs provides a unique opportunity to probe both the physics of coherent emission and the late‑time evolution of neutron stars. It also provides the opportunity to study white dwarf binary systems, since at least some of the LPTs appear to be interacting ‘polar’ systems in which a magnetic bridge forms between a white dwarf and another, low‑mass star.

In order to increase the LPT sample size to obtain a more complete picture, we will exploit the plethora of data of the upcoming CHORD radio telescope, a next‑generation facility currently being constructed in Canada and is expected to come online in 2027. Thanks to recent advancements in technology, CHORD will have two unique capabilities: an unprecedented sky mapping speed and daily repeated sky coverage, the two key ingredients for a successful pulsar survey.

This project is fully funded by the ANR French national grant. The PhD student will be involved in the optimisation and fine‑tuning of specific modules of signal processing algorithms, time series data processing and modelling, and/or the exploitation of Machine Learning (ML) based algorithms to reduce false positives caused by human‑generated interference signals in the observational data as opposed to genuine astrophysical signals. The candidate will also help manage the data processing and the assessment of the search output. At the end of the PhD, we expect the student to become fully proficient in radio astronomical signal processing and an expert in time domain data analysis, particularly in the area of pulsars and fast transients. The candidate will work on follow‑ups of discoveries using the Nançay Radio Telescope (NRT) and the NenuFAR telescope at the Nançay Radio Astronomical Observatory in France.

Email for any questions and reference letter submission: cherry.ng-guiheneuf [AT] cnrs-orleans.fr

Applicants should have an undergraduate and/or master’s degree in Astronomy (or closely related fields), full‑time commitment, and a good command of the English language. Previous research experience is beneficial.

Application required materials:

• Personal statement outlining the applicant’s motivation to train as a researcher in astrophysics, and in particular at LPC2E/CNRS, research experience (if any), research interests, and career plans and goals.
• Curriculum Vitae (max 3 pages, including any publications).
• Two reference letters sent directly from the referees to the supervisor, Dr. Cherry Ng‑Guihéneuf, before the application deadline.
• Copy of official undergraduate (and graduate, if available) academic transcripts, with a clear indication of the grading scale system and the ranking of the student within their class.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an online interview in February/March 2026.