placed on the properties of the jet and inner accretion flow around both black holes and neutron stars.
Project details
The successful candidate will work with strictly simultaneous multiwavelength observations of black hole and neutron star X-ray binaries, obtained with XMM-Newton, NICER and Insight-HXMT in the X-rays, HAWK-I at the VLT in the infrared, and HiPERCAM at the GTC and ULTRACAM at the NTT in the optical. Using time-series analysis techniques in both the time and Fourier domains, the student will extract key physical information on the accretion flow and jet in these systems. Modelling of the observed variability will then be used to place tight constraints on fundamental parameters such as the jet speed, the inner disc truncation radius and the magnetic field strength.
Funding
Tuition fees and bursary
Benefits
The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills. All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral and Researcher College, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.
You’re invited to become part of the Coventry Centre for Doctoral Training in AI (C-CDT AI): a dynamic, collaborative hub uniting AI staff and PGR researchers from across the University.
As a C-CDT member you’ll benefit from structured AI training (from core research methods to ethics and innovation), interdisciplinary peer networks, specialist supervision, shared GPU/cloud resources, workshops, seminars and industry-focused challenge projects.
This additional training and community, complements your home research centre programme, accelerates your technical and professional development, and connects you with a broad AI research ecosystem tackling impactful problems across sectors.
Entry requirements
- A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average.
PLUS
- The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within 3.5 years.
- A minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS academic overall minimum score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component).
Additional requirements
- Master’s or equivalent degree, astronomy/astrophysics or physics
- Experience in coding and data analysis
- Experience with time-series and/or large data sets
- Experience with data reduction of X-ray or optical-infrared observations
How to apply
To find out more about the project, please contact ae6440@coventry.ac.uk
All applications require full supporting documentation, a covering letter, plus a 500 word supporting statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project.
Funding Notes
Tuition Fees and Stipend
