The standard paradigm for galaxy formation now has massive black holes in active galactic nuclei playing a key role in shaping the evolution of all substantial galaxies. The objective of this proposal is to examine the inter-relationship of black hole and host galaxy during the epoch when black holes were growing rapidly and shining as quasi-stellar objects (QSOs). Measuring the host galaxies of QSOs has, until now, been a huge problem because the host galaxy emission is totally swamped by the light from the AGN. The superb spatial resolution of ESA’s Euclid satellite, particularly it's VIS instrument, presents an extraordinary capability to disentangle the nuclear and host-galaxy components. Whereas this was possible for small numbers of objects with the Hubble Space Telescope, the many thousands of square degrees that will be covered by Euclid mean that we can do this on an industrial scale, for hundreds of thousands of QSOs. The student will work with the Euclid VIS Lead, Mat Page, to extract and study the properties of QSO host galaxies and address questions like: What do the galaxies look like? What are their rest-frame ultraviolet luminosities? How many stars do they contain, and how much star-formation is taking place? And in what order do black holes and their host galaxies assemble their mass: do massive black holes mature first, or the stellar spheroids that surround them?
Desired Knowledge and Skills
- Undergraduate in astronomy or astrophysics
- Strong computational skills
Entry requirements
An upper second-class Bachelor’s degree, or a second-class Bachelor’s degree together with a Master's degree from a UK university in a relevant subject, or an equivalent overseas qualification.
Additional information
This project is based in the Department of Space & Climate Physics, located at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) in Holmbury, Surrey. MSSL is located in remote countryside in Surrey. There is limited public transport to reach the site. Before you apply to study for a PhD in our department, please check our location carefully and consider how you will regularly commute to MSSL.
How to apply
Our STFC studentships starting on 1st October 2026 are open for applications until 19th January 2026.
For details of how to apply please refer to our website: PhD Projects and Application Process | Faculty of Mathematical & Physical Sciences
