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Mon 02 Jun 14:00: Title to be confirmed

Upcoming talks - Fri, 25/04/2025 - 10:24
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Abstract not available

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Mon 12 May 14:00: Title to be confirmed

Upcoming talks - Fri, 25/04/2025 - 10:22
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Abstract not available

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Mon 19 May 14:00: Title to be confirmed

Upcoming talks - Fri, 25/04/2025 - 10:22
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Tue 27 May 14:00: Title to be confirmed

Upcoming talks - Fri, 25/04/2025 - 10:21
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Thu 29 May 14:00: Title to be confirmed

Upcoming talks - Fri, 25/04/2025 - 10:21
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Tue 29 Apr 13:00: Formation of planetary cores in spontaneously generated dust traps during the secular evolution of magnetized protoplanetary disks

None - Fri, 25/04/2025 - 03:32
Formation of planetary cores in spontaneously generated dust traps during the secular evolution of magnetized protoplanetary disks

An outstanding gap in the current planet formation theory is about the first steps of the planet formation process; namely how, when and where the initially ISM like solid dust particles grow into pebbles and planetesimals, the building blocks of planetary cores. Protoplanetary disks provide the initial conditions for the planet formation process. They are weakly magnetized accretion disks that are subject to the magnetorotational instability (MRI), one of the main magnetized processes responsible for their angular momentum transport and gas turbulence. The nonideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects prevent the MRI from operating everywhere in PPDs, leading to a complex dichotomy between MRI active regions with higher gas turbulence and non-MRI regions with lower gas turbulence. In this talk,  I will present the first numerical framework that describes the evolution of PPDs over millions of years powered by the MRI . It captures the MRI driven gas evolution via nonideal MHD calculations, which accounts for the dynamics and growth of the solid dust particles. An MRI powered mechanism that can spontaneously generate short- and long-lived pressure maxima in the PPD is unveiled. Within the long-lived pressure maxima, solid dust particles can be efficiently trapped, grow into pebbles, and reach high enough dust-to-gas mass ratios to potentially trigger the formation of planetesimals via the streaming instability. These planetesimals and pebbles can further rapidly interact to form planetary cores.

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Tue 29 Apr 13:00: Formation of planetary cores in spontaneously generated dust traps during the secular evolution of magnetized protoplanetary disks

Upcoming talks - Fri, 25/04/2025 - 03:32
Formation of planetary cores in spontaneously generated dust traps during the secular evolution of magnetized protoplanetary disks

An outstanding gap in the current planet formation theory is about the first steps of the planet formation process; namely how, when and where the initially ISM like solid dust particles grow into pebbles and planetesimals, the building blocks of planetary cores. Protoplanetary disks provide the initial conditions for the planet formation process. They are weakly magnetized accretion disks that are subject to the magnetorotational instability (MRI), one of the main magnetized processes responsible for their angular momentum transport and gas turbulence. The nonideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects prevent the MRI from operating everywhere in PPDs, leading to a complex dichotomy between MRI active regions with higher gas turbulence and non-MRI regions with lower gas turbulence. In this talk,  I will present the first numerical framework that describes the evolution of PPDs over millions of years powered by the MRI . It captures the MRI driven gas evolution via nonideal MHD calculations, which accounts for the dynamics and growth of the solid dust particles. An MRI powered mechanism that can spontaneously generate short- and long-lived pressure maxima in the PPD is unveiled. Within the long-lived pressure maxima, solid dust particles can be efficiently trapped, grow into pebbles, and reach high enough dust-to-gas mass ratios to potentially trigger the formation of planetesimals via the streaming instability. These planetesimals and pebbles can further rapidly interact to form planetary cores.

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Marie Curie Research Fellow (Fixed Term)

Department of Physics Jobs - Fri, 25/04/2025 - 01:00

We are seeking applicants for a PhD Fellowship in the framework of the MSCA Doctoral Network MASAUTO: MAterials for Smarter AUTOnomous sensors. MASAUTO is a research and training program for 12 Doctoral Candidates (DCs), focusing on developing a new generation of materials that will overcome the current bottlenecks in the capability and capacity of autonomous sensors. The ongoing exponential growth of the internet of things (IoT) ecosystem - which could reach a trillion devices in the near future - poses a serious challenge in terms of powering and interconnecting the underlying devices. The full potential of the IoT will only be achievable if devices i) have a reliable and sustainable autonomous power supply, and ii) are capable of processing information with reduced power requirements. A promising approach to address the first challenge is the use of an energy harvester-supercapacitor combination, while for the second challenge a promising strategy is the use of non-volatile random-access memories. It is, therefore, crucial to develop materials for energy harvesting and storage, as well as low power electronics. The overarching aim of the network is to position Europe as a leader in autonomous sensors for smart healthcare, industry and agriculture. More details can be viewed here: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/327706

Graduates of MASAUTO will be well-prepared for a career in as well as outside academia with an innovative and beyond state-of-the-art view on different aspects of materials and device development for smart sensors applications. MASAUTO offers DCs unique exciting opportunities, including:

• A project as a Marie Sklodowska Curie trainee in one of the participating institutions with the objective of becoming an experienced researcher and obtaining a doctoral degree (PhD);

• State-of-the art, exciting research in an international consortium with highly integrated projects;

• Solid multidisciplinary scientific training, from basic science to industrial applications, along with a complementary training in transferable skills, such as communication, entrepreneurship, intellectual property rights and ethics;

• A research training period in another consortium member's lab, performed in a different country;

• Gross Salary according to EU guidelines for Marie Sklodowska Curie trainees, including mobility payments and family allowances where applicable. The salary consists of the gross Monthly Living Allowance of 3.400,00 EUR per month pondered by the EU correction coefficient (specific for the countries where the hosting Institutions are located). In addition, a Mobility Allowance of 600,00 EUR per month will be paid, and also possibly another 660,00 EUR per month of Family Allowance depending on marital status. The DC salary is subject to local tax, employee and employer social contributions, and other deductions following national regulations.

The Fellowship is offered in conjunction with a PhD position, subject to the Fellow satisfying the University's admissions requirements for PhD study, and candidates should submit a formal application to the University of Cambridge for a PhD in Physics. The deadline for this is 16th May 2025.

The successful candidate will have an MSc degree in Physics, Chemistry or related field. You will also have outstanding academic records, and excellent communication skills in oral and written English.

Please ensure your application includes your CV, a list of grades/diplomas, a copy of the certificate for your highest qualification, and the contact details for at least two referees. You should also include a cover letter detailing your reasons for applying.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 36 months in the first instance.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Professor Akshay Rao at ar525@cam.ac.uk. Please start the subject line with MASAUTO _QR

Please quote reference KA45807 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Fri 25 Apr 11:30: The Thesan-Zoom simulations: Studying high-redshift galaxy formation with cosmological radiation-hydrodynamics simulations

Upcoming talks - Wed, 23/04/2025 - 15:59
The Thesan-Zoom simulations: Studying high-redshift galaxy formation with cosmological radiation-hydrodynamics simulations

Abstract not available

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Mon 09 Jun 13:00: Title to be confirmed

Upcoming talks - Wed, 23/04/2025 - 09:58
Title to be confirmed

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Fri 25 Apr 13:00: Black hole radiation from non-vacuum initial states

Upcoming talks - Tue, 22/04/2025 - 23:10
Black hole radiation from non-vacuum initial states

Hawking derived the black hole thermal radiation state by comparing the vacuum state at the future null infinity I+ with that at the past null infinity I-. We revisit Hawking’s computation, considering a non-vacuum initial state at the past of the black hole geometry. We show in which cases the black hole radiation arising from the initial matter state differs from the well-known thermal state. We moreover classify what initial states are distinguishable from one another through measurements on the black hole radiation in this framework. Finally we provide a physical interpretation of the classification, using Algebraic Quantum Field Theory localisation.

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Mon 06 Oct 13:00: Title to be confirmed

Upcoming talks - Tue, 22/04/2025 - 14:23
Title to be confirmed

Abstract not available

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Fri 23 May 11:30: Between the extremes -- the physics of the first stars, galaxies, and black holes

Upcoming talks - Tue, 22/04/2025 - 13:36
Between the extremes -- the physics of the first stars, galaxies, and black holes

The emergence of the first sources 13.6 billion years ago had a profound effect on the Universe, initiating its last major phase-change and ending the so-called Cosmic Dark Ages. Unlocking the physics of those primordial sources thus represents a fundamental step towards a comprehensive understanding of the initial conditions that formed the building blocks for the Universe we see today. While Hubble painted a fairly straight forward picture, early JWST data revealed an infant Universe far more remarkable and exotic than previously thought, with hyper-luminous galaxies detected out to z=14, chemically-enriched and Nitrogen-enhanced interstellar media out to z=12, and apparently over-massive black holes to z=10. Are these sources representative of the global population, or do they reflect peculiar objects at a particular evolutionary phase? In this talk I will present efforts to address these questions through the spectroscopic study of statistical samples of high-redshift (z>5-14) galaxies with JWST /NIRSpec, establishing a benchmark for their chemical enrichment journeys, ISM conditions, (re)ionizing capabilities, and spectroscopic fingerprints. Additionally, I will showcase the importance of utilizing unbiased samples of galaxies to gain representative insight into the ISM conditions and evolutionary pathways of the most luminous populations uncovered by JWST .

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Fri 30 May 11:30: Chasing the Light: Shadowing, Collimation, and the Rapid Growth of Infant Black Holes

Upcoming talks - Mon, 21/04/2025 - 12:40
Chasing the Light: Shadowing, Collimation, and the Rapid Growth of Infant Black Holes

Observations with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have uncovered a substantial population of high-redshift broad-line active galactic nuclei (AGNs) characterized by moderate luminosities, weak X-ray emissions, and faint high-ionization lines, challenging conventional models of AGN activity. In this talk I will propose that these sources are accreting at super-Eddington rates, and discuss how such accretion flows, shaped by thick disk geometries and anisotropic radiation fields, may provide new insights into black hole growth in the early Universe.

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Fri 02 May 11:30: Exploring high-redshift quenched galaxies: from low-mass to massive

Upcoming talks - Mon, 21/04/2025 - 12:39
Exploring high-redshift quenched galaxies: from low-mass to massive

Abstract not available

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Fri 16 May 11:30: Towards understanding the epoch of reionization out to the cosmic dawn

Upcoming talks - Fri, 18/04/2025 - 08:54
Towards understanding the epoch of reionization out to the cosmic dawn

Work on understanding the epoch of reionization has been galvanized in recent years by a series of observational and theoretical breakthroughs. These include the recognition that spatial structure in the Lyman-α forest retains signatures of reionization history, the discovery of galaxies and quasars deep in the reionization era by JWST , and renewed efforts to detect the redshifted 21-cm signal from cosmic dawn and the epoch of reionization. In this talk, I will present a series of results from our group that address the goal of understanding the evolving ionization state of the Universe, from cosmic dawn to the final stages of reionization. This includes new simulations of reionization, updated measurements of the mean free path of ionizing photons, improved constraints on the neutral hydrogen fraction from quasar damping wings, and interpretations of AGNs and LAEs discovered by JWST . I will describe our ongoing attempts to directly detect the neutral parts of the IGM for the first time using the 21-cm forest, and discuss the implications of JWST data for quasar growth during this era. Deeper into the reionization epoch, I will present new approaches to charting reionization using LAEs. Closer to cosmic dawn, I will highlight new radiative transfer models of Lyman-α coupling and a model-agnostic framework for combining JWST and 21-cm observations, including results from REACH . I will conclude by reviewing where we are and outlining key challenges ahead.

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Mon 28 Apr 13:00: String axions: the hot and the fuzzy

Upcoming talks - Wed, 16/04/2025 - 13:34
String axions: the hot and the fuzzy

String axions have been proposed as candidates for solving several puzzles in cosmology. In this talk, I will focus on axions as dark matter. After reviewing how string axions can occur in our universe, I will provide a string theoretical explanation of dark matter as composed of axions coming from type IIB string theory. Based on the latest bounds, I will show how likely it is for dark matter to be composed of such particles and in which abundance, and I will provide predictions on the preferred ranges of masses and decay constants. On the contrary, requiring the axions to lie in a particular range of the parameter space imposes constraints on the UV theory. I will focus both on the role of moduli stabilization and the landscape of string vacua. Finally, I will discuss axion production at the end of inflation and the implications for the proposed cosmic axion background.

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Wed 14 May 16:00: Spacetime Singularities and Black Holes

Upcoming talks - Wed, 16/04/2025 - 08:40
Spacetime Singularities and Black Holes

After a brief introduction to Einstein’s theory of general relativity and its most profound prediction of black holes, I will focus on spacetime singularities, i.e., regions where general relativity breaks down and must be replaced by a quantum theory of gravity.  I first discuss singularities inside black holes. This is the usual case and is an old story, but there have been some recent developments. I will next describe some new results which show that some black holes have singularities on their surface. Finally, I will discuss the possibility of singularities outside black holes.

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Tue 15 Apr 11:00: Growing pains: the dining habits of stars, planets and black holes

Upcoming talks - Mon, 14/04/2025 - 12:24
Growing pains: the dining habits of stars, planets and black holes

To make planets, stars and supermassive black holes, one must rapidly accrete material onto central objects. But the tiniest tangential motion combined with angular momentum conservation sends material into orbit, rather than accreting. Since work at the IoA in the 1970s we have understood that Nature solves the angular momentum problem by forming accretion discs, but the angular momentum transport mechanism remains unclear. The past 10 years have given us spectacular resolved observations of discs around both young and old stars, bringing fresh clues. In this talk I’ll explain how pairing 3D simulations with observations helps us solve the problem of accretion, revealing how stars and planets form, black holes grow and how accretion powers tidal disruption events.

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HR Administrator

Department of Physics Jobs - Fri, 11/04/2025 - 01:00

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity in which to develop your Human Resources career in a world-leading academic department and University?

The Department:

The Cavendish Laboratory is the place of pioneering physics, that's been at the forefront of scientific discovery for 150 years, and will continue to be, because we never sit still. The Cavendish Laboratory has made several important discoveries, including: the discovery of the electron (1897), the neutron (1932), the structure of DNA (1953); thirty Cavendish researchers have won Nobel Prizes. We're trailblazers who continue to extend the frontiers of physics.

We have recently moved into our new state-of-the-art, multi-million pound Ray Dolby Centre which is the centrepiece of the new Cavendish Laboratory. This is an exciting and challenging time for the Department, and we would like to find a highly motivated individual with a positive attitude towards change and development to join us.

The Role:

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated HR Administrator to join a newly restructured, and vibrant HR team. The successful applicant will join a busy team of HR Administrators and Senior HR Coordinators who provide full support (both in person and via email) for all HR functions in the Department.

You will work closely with the Senior HR Coordinators and HR Manager to provide a professional and efficient HR service including all aspects of HR administration. Reporting directly to one of our Senior HR Coordinators, the role will provide clear and accurate advice on procedure, co-ordinating the recruitment and visitor processes and the onboarding of new starters (including dealing with all immigration and pre-employment paperwork). The position is busy and varied and has plenty of scope for training and development.

During the six month probation period, the roleholder will be required to work in the office full-time (Monday to Friday). After successful completion of their probation, we will agree up to 2 days per week working from home. This arrangement will depend on the operational needs of the team.

About You:

The ideal candidate will have HR administration experience but we will consider candidates who have excellent administrative and organisational skills; the ability to produce work to a high level of accuracy is essential.

The successful candidate will possess excellent interpersonal and administrative skills, and you will have the ability to work well within a busy team, fostering good working relationships with a wide variety of people from all over the world. You should be proficient in all standard Microsoft Office packages, highly organised, self-motivated, and able to prioritise your workload within a demanding environment. Tact and discretion are essential when handling confidential personal information. Previous HR experience whilst desirable is not essential.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Previous applicants need not apply and no agencies please.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be sent to hr@phy.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference KA43685 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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