SKA: What's Being Planned & Job Prospects?

[Teresa]

Does anyone know what kinds of things are being planned for study at the SKA when its built?

i know its going to be a radio telescope, and hopefully in Australia/NewZealand instead of South Africa (it'll be based only a few hours out of Perth WA, where i live )...

and also, what do you think the chances of a local, recently graduated astrophysics student will have of getting a job there? lol

 

[matt.o]

Hi Teresa,

Does anyone know what kinds of things are being planned for study at the SKA when its built?

I can tell you the final decision between Aus/SA will be made in 2010/2011. In terms of science, have a read of http://www.atnf.csiro.au/projects/ska/science.html" page. Currently, there are demonstrator telescopes such as xNTD (or miranda) being built. Also, australian astronomy has received some good funding from the government for this project (~$100 million), so there should be jobs going.

However, jobs in Australia in Astronomy are hard to come by, particularly for people without a PhD. If you want to stay in WA, then I would suggest you do a PhD at ATNF in NSW and try to get a job back in WA when you have finished. Alternatively, you could work on gravity wave stuff (see http://www.gravity.pd.uwa.edu.au/" ).

 

[sir-pinski]

The SKA, or Square Kilometre Array, is an exciting project that is currently being planned and developed. It is a radio telescope that will have a collecting area of over one square kilometre, making it the largest and most sensitive radio telescope in the world. This project is a collaboration between many countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

The main goal of the SKA is to explore the universe and answer some of the biggest questions in astrophysics, such as the origin of galaxies, the nature of dark matter and dark energy, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. It will also allow for the study of pulsars, gravitational waves, and the search for signals from potential alien civilizations.

In terms of job prospects, the SKA project will require a diverse range of skills and expertise, including engineering, computer science, data analysis, and of course, astrophysics. As a recently graduated astrophysics student, your chances of getting a job at the SKA will depend on your qualifications, experience, and the specific needs of the project at the time of your application. However, with the SKA being located in Australia and New Zealand, it is likely that there will be opportunities for local graduates to work on this exciting project.

Overall, the SKA is a massive undertaking that will push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe. It will also provide many job opportunities for individuals with a passion for astronomy and space exploration. So keep an eye out for updates on the SKA and continue to pursue your interests in astrophysics, as you never know where it may lead you in the future!