NCRA offers opportunities for front-line research in Radio Astronomy and Astrophysics. Areas of research at NCRA include studies of observational cosmology, quasars, radio galaxies, nearby galaxies, interstellar medium, pulsars, stars, solar system as well as techniques of synthesis imaging and image processing. NCRA operates the large cylindrical radio telescope at Ooty (ORT) and has recently completed building the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) near Pune. GMRT consists of 30 parabolic dishes each of 45 metre diameter placed over a region of 25 km, and is the world's largest radio telescope operating at metre wavelengths.
Research Scholars are generally selected on the basis of a written test (either through Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) or through TIFR written tests) and interviews which are conducted jointly with the Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in early June. Selected candidates will receive Physics and Astronomy courses during the first year as a part of the Graduate School requirements. Satisfactory completion of the Graduate School is required before registration for a Ph.D. degree at Pune University.
First class in M.Sc. (Physics/Astronomy) / B.E./ B.Tech (Electronics/Computer Science), with a strong background and interest in Physics. Candidates expecting to obtain their degree by July of the coming year may also apply. Candidates with a motivation to pursue experimental research are particularly encouraged to apply.
Research Scholars will be paid a monthly honorarium of Rs. 8000/- which will be raised to Rs. 9500/- after 2 years. There is an annual contingency educational grant of Rs. 7,500/- tenable up to 5 years. Based on periodic reviews, scholarships are renewed annually up to 5 years.
Students selected under the VSRP will spend about eight weeks at NCRA working
on projects under the supervision of the NCRA faculty. The programme will
conclude with seminar presentations of the projects by the students, a
written test and an interview. Those who perform well will be pre-selected to join
NCRA as research scholars after the completion of their degree.
The National Centre for Radio Astrophysics invites applications for
post-doctoral positions from astronomers, radio scientists and experimental
physicists interested in working in the areas of radio astronomy and
related areas of astrophysics. Research interests at NCRA cover a wide
range in galactic and extragalactic astronomy such as the Sun and the
solar-wind, interstellar medium, supernova remnants, pulsars, active
galaxies, quasars, cosmology and formation of structure in the Universe.
The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope near Pune has been built by NCRA
and regular observations have commenced. The facility has also been made
available to international users ( Click
here for details ). GMRT consists of thirty antennas of 45-m diameter and
offers extraordinary capabilities for research at the frontiers of
radio astronomy. NCRA also operates the 530-m long and 30-m wide
Ooty Radio Telescope, which has been in operation for twenty-five years.
NCRA has modern computing facilities, advanced instrumentation laboratories,
a good library and astronomical data processing facilities. Challenging
opportunities exist to work at the frontiers of astronomy and astrophysics,
instrumentation, signal processing, software development, and image
processing, in an academically stimulating environment and also to take
part in teaching graduate students. Exceptionally motivated and outstanding candidates may be considered for
permanent staff positions. Applications should be sent to the Centre Director,
National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, Tata Institute of Fundamental
Research, Pune University Campus, Post Bag 3, Ganeshkhind,
Pune 411 007, India. The application should include a
curriculum vitae, a summary of research interests, a list of
publications, and the names of three referees who are familiar
with the candidate's work. For further information, contact the Centre
Director by e-mail (dirncra@ncra.tifr.res.in) or fax (+91-20-25695149).
Post-Doctoral Fellowships
Last revised 31 Aug 2005
Contact: www@ncra.tifr
.res.in