CV

Contact Information

Name Joshua Weston
Professional Title Astrophysicist & PhD Researcher
Email jweston04@qub.ac.uk
Location Belfast, Northern Ireland

Professional Summary

Final year PhD Student in Astrophysics and member of the Leverhulme Interdisciplinary Network on Algorithmic Solutions (LINAS). Machine learning-focused astronomer with interest in transients and the societal impact of AI and ML, and previous experience in the data science industry. Currently focused on transient detection and classification in the Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST).

Experience

  • 2022 - 2022

    UK

    Risk Analyst Lead
    Nationwide Building Society
    • Risk Decision Science & Analytical Innovation
  • 2020 - 2022

    UK

    Risk Analyst
    Nationwide Building Society
    • Risk Decision Science & Analytical Innovation

Education

  • 2022 - Present

    Belfast, UK

    PhD
    Queen's University Belfast
    Astrophysics
    • Leverhulme Interdisciplinary Network on Algorithmic Solutions (LINAS)
    • Thesis: Machine and Algorithm-driven Discovery in Big Data
    • Supervisors: Professor Stephen Smartt, Dr Matt Nicholl, Professor Muiris MacCarthaigh
  • 2025 - 2025

    Oxford, UK

    Balzan Junior Research Fellow
    University of Oxford
    • Department of Physics, New College
  • 2016 - 2020

    Southampton, UK

    MPhys
    University of Southampton
    Physics with Astronomy
    • Dissertation: Dust Reverberation Mapping in Type I Active Galactic Nuclei

Skills

Programming & Tools: Python, SQL, R, SAS, Git, LaTeX, HTML, CSS, VBA
Machine Learning: Keras, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Artificial Neural Networks, Convolutional Neural Networks, XGBoost, Random Forests, Linear/Logistic Regression
Research: Transient Detection, Supernovae, Machine Learning, Data Processing, Automation, AI, Transient Host Galaxies, Transient Classification, Big Data

First-Author Publications

Co-authored Publications

Projects

  • Lestrade

    Python-based package for automated catalogue analysis and extragalactic transient-host matching. Integrates multiple catalogues to enable morphology-based analysis and machine learning applications.

    • Python, SQL, Git, Markdown
  • Fletcher

    Python-based package for machine learning classifier analysis. Allows for model data fine-tuning and threshold calibration.

    • Python, Javascript, CSS, Git

Teaching

LINAS Intro to Python & Machine Learning

Lead instructor, Queen's University Belfast, Spring 2026

Senior Academy Tutor (Maths & Physics)

Widening Participation Unit, QUB, 2024–2026

PHY3009 Computational Physics

Demonstrator, School of Maths & Physics, QUB, 2023–2024

PHY2006 Mathematical Physics

Demonstrator, School of Maths & Physics, QUB, 2025–2026

PHY1002 Mathematics for Scientists and Engineers

Demonstrator, School of Maths & Physics, QUB, 2024–2025

Teaching Fellowship Scheme

In progress — Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)

Outreach & Science Communication

Articles for The Conversation

Queen's University Belfast, March 2026.

• How big data is transforming what we know about the universe

• World's biggest astronomy camera seeks to answer pressing questions about the universe

NI Science Festival

Astrophysics Research Centre, QUB, February 2024 & 2025. Assisted at the Astronomy Day, principally at the 'Supernova hunting' booth.

Girls in Maths and Physics

Queen's University Belfast, June 2024 & 2025. Assisted in exoplanet detection programming exercise and 'Supernova hunting' booth.

Certificates

  • IBM Data Science Specialization - IBM / Coursera (2020)
  • Fundamentals of Deep Learning - NVIDIA (2022)
  • Machine Learning Specialization - Stanford University / Coursera (2023)
  • Code/Astro Workshop - Northwestern University (2024)
  • Astrostatistics Summer School - University of Crete (2025)

References

  • Professor Stephen Smartt

    Professor, Queen’s University Belfast

  • Dr Matt Nicholl

    Reader, Queen’s University Belfast

  • Dr Heloise Stevance

    Schmidt AI in Science Fellow