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| PhD Fellowship in Unveiling the mysteries of the Universe with massive galaxy surveys | Closing date: 2023-01-25
Contact: La Caixa Fellowships |
| The current understanding of the Universe is highly incomplete. According to the standard cosmological model, its dynamics is governed by two mysterious components which represent 95% of the energy content of the Universe: dark matter and dark en- Physics ergy. For each of these components, we have multiple and independent indirect evidences and fragmentary theoretical comprehension. Unveiling the nature of these dark sector components represents the next frontier in fundamental physics. The next-generation galaxy surveys, such as DESI and Euclid, will play a crucial role. | | ▸ more | Research Project:
The ICCUB Physical Cosmology group has been studying connections between theory and observations - via interpretation of data - since 2007. Our main research interest is making the link between cosmological observations and theoretical physics beyond the standard cosmological model, hoping to shed some light on the ?open questions? in cosmology, whose members of the group have actively contributed to. These are questions such as, what are the properties of dark ma8er, what is dark energy, which is the mass of the neutrinos or whether there is new physics beyond the standard model of cosmology. Our collective expertise ranges from galaxy evolution to inflation model building, but our main strengths are in analysis and interpretation of large-scale structure surveys. Members of the group are involved in the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) and in the Euclid consortium. These highly international collaborations aim to survey massive areas of the sky in order to generate the largest 3D galaxy maps. Exploiting the statistical properties of these maps we can infer the underlying physics of the Universe. In particular DESI is expected to produce data on a timescale shorter than the studentship offering a unique opportunity to exploit this data. The student will join the research group led by Prof. Licia Verde, world expert in physical cosmology, and will have the chance to become member of international collaborations such as DESI and Euclid. The student will also have the opportunity to collaborate with other universities which the group has tight links, including the University of Padova, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris and Imperial College in London. The group offers a diverse and vibrant learning and research environment.
Job position description
The current understanding of the Universe is highly incomplete. According to the standard cosmological model, its dynamics is governed by two mysterious components which represent 95% of the energy content of the Universe: dark matter and dark en- Physics ergy. For each of these components, we have multiple and independent indirect evidences and fragmentary theoretical comprehension. Unveiling the nature of these dark sector components represents the next frontier in fundamental physics. The next-generation galaxy surveys, such as DESI and Euclid, will play a crucial role.
The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) will measure the effect of dark energy on the expansion of the universe. It will collect optical spectra for tens of millions of galaxies and quasars, which will allow the creation of the largest 3D map spanning the nearby universe up to 11 billion light years. DESI has already started collecting spectra in 2020 and is expected to continue to do so for another 4 years at least. Several intermediate data releases and publication of cosmological results are expected. The student will have access to these non-public datasets to develop their research in some of the following topics: better understanding the properties of General Relativity at cosmic scales, unveiling the properties of dark energy, measuring the growth of cosmic structure, detecting a neutrino mass signature, or detecting a primordial cosmological perturbations signature. The research on any of these areas is expected to have a massive impact along this decade and will contribute to answering the big open puzzles introduced above.
The student will work alongside the rest of the team to develop the appropriate techniques to be applied to DESI data to perform any of the research topics mentioned above. The student will be fully involved with the cosmological interpretation and publication of the results.
More information:
Group leader
Prof. Licia Verde ?liciaverde @ icc.ub.edu
Research product / Research group
Description of the members of the group
https://sites.google.com/icc.ub.edu/liciaverde/group
Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument
https://www.desi.lbl.gov/
Euclid mission webpage
https://sci.esa.int/web/eucliddes
Other members of the group webpage
https://www.ub.edu/bispectrum
https://icc.ub.edu/node/21456
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