My research is focused on using distant supernovae for cosmology, specifically to measure the effects of Dark Energy in the universe. I am also involved in several future telescope projects including the European Extremely Large telescope (E-ELT), the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), the 4-metre Multi-Object Spectroscopic Telescope (4MOST) and ESA's Euclid mission.

Project Title: The next generation of Dark Energy measurements with supernovae In the late 1990s Type Ia supernovae were used as standard candles to discover that the rate of expansion of the universe is accelerating, leading to the idea that some mysterious "Dark Energy" is pushing the universe apart. Despite much better measurements nowadays, our lack of understanding of Dark Energy remains one of the most fundamental problems in Physics. Several new telescopes and surveys are being planned to address this issue. The student will use a combination of archival supernova data, new data from state-of-the art telescopes and simulated data to study statistical properties of supernovae as distance indicators. Based on these studies, he/she will help to optimise large surveys for cosmology that are planned with future telescopes and instruments, such as LSST (the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope), ESA's Euclid mission and 4MOST (the 4meter Multi-Object Spectrograph Telescope). This project will lead up to the start of operation of these exciting telescopes. Please contact Prof Isobel Hook for further information. This PhD project represents just one component of the research performed by the wider Astrophysics group at Lancaster University. Our PhD projects are offered on a competitive basis and are subject to availability of funding.