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In This Section
  • Find a PhD Supervisor

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Find a PhD Supervisor

Dr Christopher Watson

School of Mathematics and Physics
Dr Christopher Watson

Dr Christopher Watson

School of Mathematics and Physics

Dr Watson's main research interests are in the field of stellar astrophysics and extrasolar planets. In particular he is interested in how to improve the detection of exoplanets against the backdrop of noise due to stellar activity, as well as probing the atmospheres of exoplanets.

He has authored/co-authored more than 100 publications in the refereed literature, including Science and Nature. In addition, he is co-PI on a number of exoplanet discovery instruments, including the Next Generation Transit Survey and HARPS-N.

His research has attracted funding from a number of sources including the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council, the Leverhulme Trust, and the European Union (FP7).

Contact info

  • View Academic Profile
  • c.a.watson@qub.ac.uk
  • +44 (0)28 9097 1421, +44 (0)28 9097 3546

Research Interests

Open to PhD applications in the field of

  • Stellar astrophysics and exoplanet research
  • Probing exoplanet atmospheres
  • Mitigating astrophysical noise: Towards the confirmation of Earth-2.0

Make a PhD enquiry


Public outreach & key achievements

  • Leading subject of BBC Horizon documentary, "Secrets of the solar system", aired first in 2015 (1.8 million viewers), subsequently shown in Australia, Scadinavia, USA, etc.
  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05527mp
  • http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24748601
  • http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33929851
  • https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/chandra/news/x-rays-reveal-temperament-of-possible-planet-hosting-stars.html
  • https://daro.qub.ac.uk/monster-planet-discovery-

Research students

PhD Title Understand thy star, understand thy planet
Country France
   
PhD Title UnEarth
Country  Northern Ireland 
   
PhD Title  Sniffing the Skies of New Worlds
Country England

 


Alumni: Where are they now

PhD Title Roche Tomography of Cataclysmic Variables
Country France
Current Position PDRA, Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, Toulouse 
   
PhD Title The Dynamic Nature of Exoplanets
Country  UK 
Current Position Mathematics Programme Support Tutor, Manchester Metropolitan University
   
PhD Title  A Pathway to Earth-like Worlds: Overcoming Astrophysical Noise
Country Switzerland
Current Position CHEOPS Research Fellow, Observatoire de Genève 

 


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  • Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

  • School of Mathematics and Physics


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Belfast
BT7 1NN

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E-mail: mp@qub.ac.uk

Telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 1386/5293

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