State-of-the-art constraints on black hole growth

The mechanisms of the growth of black holes remain unknown and are a topic of hot research. Despite more than 50 years of investigations, we have discovered only a small fraction of the expected population of growing black holes in the Milky Way. Even for the black holes that are known, we do not understand the physics of their extreme environments: how they produce extreme luminosities (in their 'accretion discs') and launch superfast relativistic streams of plasmas ('feedback'). Beyond the Milky Way, most supermassive black hole growth remains obscured and hidden from view, with surveys being severely incomplete.
In this PhD, the student will exploit state-of-the-art multiwavelength observations from frontline facilities to carry out comprehensive novel studies of black holes. The student will learn (1) coding for data data analysis and scientific inference, including supercomputer simulations; (2) use of world-leading astronomical facilities; (3) critical thinking, presentation, and publication skills. There will be opportunities to develop worldwide collaborations, especially in USA, India, Chile, Japan and Europe.