Emmy Noether Research Group

I am building a new research group at Hamburg Observatory focused on the formation of structures in the early Universe, specifically we aim to understand the emergence of quasars - active growing supermassive black holes. In order to expand the quasar redshift frontier and build statistical samples at Cosmic Dawn, we are using wide-area surveys in concert with large ground-based and space-borne observatories to conduct spectroscopic identification campaigns and multi-wavelength follow-up observations. The quasar selection strategies employ machine-learning methods on large astronomical data sets. Follow-up observations are reduced using state-of-the-art astronomical data reduction software and analysed using modern statistical inference techniques.

In this context group members use and are trained in the following skills to conduct their research:

• spectroscopic data reduction
• large-scale data analysis
• machine-learning methods
• robust statistical inference techniques
• software development (Python 3)

Positions

At this point I am offering no PhD or Postdoc position in my group.

Thesis projects

Bachelor thesis projects:

• The radio-properties of extremely luminous quasars

  Description: The student will analyse LOFAR radio data of a sample of extremely luminous quasars to study their radio properties and compare them to the general quasar population.
  Required skills: Python programming (analysis, visualization)
  Supervisor(s): Dr. Jan-Torge Schindler & Radha Gharapurkar (M.Sc.)
  

Master thesis projects:

• Quasar spectroscopy and generative machine learning

  Description: The student will continue to develop a generative machine learning model (Variational Auto Encoder), designed to generate quasar spectroscopy and explore its use in identifying incorrectly classified quasars in large survey data.
  Required skills: Advanced Python programming (analysis, visualization)
  Helpful skills: Machine learning (Variational Auto Encoders)
  Supervisor(s): Dr. Francesco Guarneri & Dr. Jan-Torge Schindler