Conor O'Riordan

Conor O'Riordan

Postdoctoral Researcher
Dark Matter Group · Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics

I am a researcher using strong gravitational lensing to uncover the nature of dark matter, one of the most significant unsolved problems in astrophysics and cosmology. This involves detailed modelling of strong lensing systems and analysis of huge amounts of data, so machine learning and AI tools are extremely useful.

Research Interests

Strong gravitational lensing as a dark matter probe
Dark matter — cold, warm, fuzzy, self-interacting, and alternatives
Galaxy formation, evolution, and elliptical galaxy morphology
Machine learning applied to astrophysics
Data reduction techniques for space-based imaging
Observational: Euclid · Hubble Space Telescope · Keck AO

Research Positions

2020–Present Postdoctoral Researcher
Dark Matter Group, Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, Garching, Germany

Education

2016–2021 Ph.D. Astrophysics
Imperial College London, UK
Supervisor: Prof. Stephen Warren
Thesis: Galaxy mass profiles from strong gravitational lensing
2015–2016 M.Sc. Physics
(Distinction)
Imperial College London, UK
2012–2015 B.Sc. Physics
(First Class)
University of Warwick, UK
Department Prize for Best Thesis
Thesis: Eclipse timing in circumbinary exoplanets

Peer Review

MNRAS  ·  A&A  ·  ApJ  ·  JCAP  ·  Royal Society URF

Membership

Euclid — Full member, Strong Lens Science Working Group
SHARP — Space-based modelling working group lead

Technical Expertise

Python C Java IDL TensorFlow PyTorch HPC Systems Optical Imaging NIR Imaging Linux Adobe CS
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