About the project
What regulates star formation in distant galaxies? Using observations from K-band Multi Object Spectrograph (KMOS) spectroscopy and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), you'll investigate winds driven by stars and black holes and their impact on the gas fuelling star formation 10 billion years ago. Combining existing and new data, you will test whether these winds regulate galaxy growth.
Around 10 billion years ago the Universe was at its most active. During this epoch, galaxies contained vast reservoirs of cold gas that fuelled intense star formation. Yet, despite decades of observations, we still do not understand what regulates star formation under the extreme physical conditions of the early Universe. Is star formation regulated by the energy released by young stars and supermassive black holes?
This feedback occurs when stars and supermassive black holes inject energy into their surroundings and launch powerful winds that can remove or redistribute gas. However, it remains unclear whether these outflows are frequent and powerful enough to regulate star formation, or how effectively they affect the cold gas reservoirs that feed galaxy growth.
In this project, you'll combine spatially resolved spectroscopy from the KMOS instrument on ESO’s Very Large Telescope with cold molecular gas observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). You'll search for galactic winds, measure their physical properties and investigate their impact on the gas reservoirs and star-forming activity of their host galaxies. You'll also contribute to developing automated techniques to analyse large numbers of astronomical data cubes. Starting from existing datasets, you'll expand the sample with archival data and new observations from ongoing projects, and determine how much galactic winds contribute to regulating star formation in the distant Universe.
You'll receive training in the reduction, analysis and interpretation of state-of-the-art astronomical observations, including integral-field spectroscopy from KMOS and ALMA interferometric data. You'll develop expertise in analysing spatially resolved spectra, measuring the physical properties of galactic winds, and characterising the cold gas reservoirs of distant galaxies. You'll also gain experience in statistical methods to analyse large astronomical datasets, assess uncertainties and test scientific hypotheses.
You'll contribute to ongoing work developing and testing machine-learning algorithms for the automated analysis of large numbers of spectroscopic data cubes, gaining practical experience in applying these techniques to observational astronomy. Working with your supervisors and collaborators, you'll develop expertise in the physics of supermassive black holes and their impact on galaxy evolution. You'll develop transferable skills in scientific programming, data analysis, critical thinking, research communication and collaborative working, with opportunities to participate in an international observational survey and present your results at national and international conferences.
The School of Physics and Astronomy is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.
