Ross Turner

Ross Turner is a Lecturer in Mathematics and Physics at the University of Tasmania, working within the School of Natural Sciences, Department of Physics. He leads the analytical modeling research stream in the University's Theoretical and Computational Astrophysics Group (Active Galactic Nuclei; AGN) and collaborates with the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science (ACEAS). His research spans computational physics with applications in astronomy, theoretical astrophysics, applied mathematics, and computational earth sciences, aligning with the University's themes of Data, Knowledge and Decisions, and Marine, Antarctic and Maritime.

Ross received his Doctor of Philosophy in Astrophysics from the University of Tasmania in 2018 and a Bachelor of Science (First Class Honours) in Physics from the same institution in 2013. His research primarily focuses on developing the statistical tools to analyze radio astronomy observations from next-generation large sky surveys, including by the Square Kilometre Array. He created the highly-cited RAiSE (Radio AGN in Semi-Analytic Environments) software package to simulate the physics of jet-inflated lobes emanating from active supermassive black holes. His work in computational earth sciences relates to interpreting large datasets from active glaciers using complex dynamical models and machine learning techniques.

Turner's publication record demonstrates strong expertise in both astrophysics and computational geophysics, with recent work spanning AGN jet dynamics, radio galaxy evolution, and innovative applications of machine learning to cryoseismology. His research bridges theoretical modeling with observational astronomy and geophysical applications, showing a consistent trajectory of increasingly sophisticated computational approaches to complex physical systems.

• Vice Chancellor's Award 2022, Early Career Researcher Award
• College of Science and Engineering Early Career Researcher Award 2022
• Eureka Prize Finalist, Australian Museum, 2022
• The Bok Prize, Astronomical Society of Australia, 2014
• Multiple Teaching Commendations and Unit Commendations
• Student-nominated Teaching Appreciation Certificate

Ross has been awarded over $2 million (equivalent value) in competitive research funding, including more than 2000 hours of observing time to study AGNs using terrestrial and satellite telescopes. He supports the learning of Honours and higher degree by research students in both applied mathematics and theoretical astrophysics; 70% of his primary supervised Honours students have received a University Medal. He serves as primary or co-supervisor for six current PhD candidates at the University of Tasmania and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR).

Turner leads the analytical modeling research stream within the University's Theoretical and Computational Astrophysics Group and works with the Compute Antarctic Group as part of ACEAS. His work involves developing computational frameworks that bridge theoretical astrophysics with observational data analysis, creating tools that enable more precise interpretation of complex astronomical phenomena and geophysical processes.