# Rhys Shaw

Rhys Shaw is a remote worker on Himalayas, Postgraduate Teaching Assistant at University of Bristol, based in United Kingdom.

Source: https://himalayas.app/@rhysshaw

```text
I build machine learning and novel analysis tools that extract insight from complex astronomical datasets.
```

| Detail | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Availability | Looking for a job |
| Location | United Kingdom |
| Authorized to work in | United Kingdom |
| Salary expectations | 50k+ GBP |
| Job categories | Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Research Scientist, Software Engineer |
| Skills | Python, JavaScript, C++, PyTorch, TensorFlow, Hugging Face, Transformers, Diffusers, Machine Learning, Large Language Models, Natural Language Processing, Data Analysis, Fullstack Development, fastAPI, HTMX, MongoDB, Linux, Git, Docker, High Performance Computing, Slurm, CUDA, Persistent Homology, Dimensionality Reduction, Diffusion Models, N Body Simulation, Astronomical Data Analysis, Source Detection, Generative Modeling, API Integration, Database Management, Self Hosting |
| Website | https://rhysalfshaw.com |
| Portfolio | https://rhysalfshaw.com |
| LinkedIn | https://linkedin.com/in/rhysalfshaw |
| GitHub | https://github.com/RhysAlfShaw |

## About

```text
I'm completing a PhD in Physics at the University of Bristol, where I develop machine learning and analysis techniques for extra-galactic astronomy and the Euclid Space Telescope.

I built DRUID, a Python source-detection package using persistent homology to isolate connected structures in highly nested astronomical images. I've also created MOCS, a forward-modelling pipeline for cosmological simulations, and a generative galaxy and AGN image emulator trained on 500,000 images.

At Aleph Insights, I developed a full-stack internal LLM client with FastAPI, HTMX, and MongoDB, supporting multiple APIs, local data storage, and network document integration. I also built STILTS-NLI, a natural-language CLI powered by a fine-tuned 2B-parameter LLM that outperformed larger general-purpose models on task accuracy.

Alongside research, I mentor undergraduate physics researchers, co-lead a research software development group, and support data science projects for charities through DataAid. I enjoy building practical, self-hosted tools with Python, machine learning, and full-stack web technologies.
```

## Experience

### Postgraduate Teaching Assistant (current)

[University of Bristol](https://himalayas.app/companies/university-of-bristol-school-of-physiology-pharmacolog). Jan 2026 - Present

```text
Mentored undergraduates across five 4-week physics research projects, marking reports and conducting over 100 interviews, while earning direct student commendations for effective and fair technical guidance.
```

Skills: Mentorship, Physics, Research, Communication-Skills

### Astrophysics Developer Group co-Lead

[University of Bristol](https://himalayas.app/companies/university-of-bristol-school-of-physiology-pharmacolog). Jan 2025 - Dec 2026

```text
Co-lead of an open group for PhD students and academics focused on research software development, facilitating weekly discussions and delivering tutorials on topics including parallelisation, self-hosting, Git, and Docker.
```

Skills: Scientific-Software-Development, Parallelisation, Self-Hosting, Git, Docker

### DataAid Committee Member

DataAid. Jan 2024 - Dec 2026

```text
Committee member for a student-led hackathon providing data science support to non-profits and charities, involved in event organisation, technical feasibility assessment, and on-site technical support.
```

Skills: Event-Planning, Technical-Support, Data-Science

### Data Science Intern

Aleph Insights. Jan 2024 - Dec 2024

```text
Developed a full-stack internal LLM client using FastAPI, HTMX, and MongoDB, capable of querying multiple APIs while securely managing local data storage and network document integration.
```

Skills: fastAPI, HTMX, MongoDB, LLM, Fullstack-Development

## Education

### University of Bristol

PhD, Physics

Activities and societies: Given numerous talks and a seminar on my work both within the university and at external conferences.

```text
PhD in Physics with thesis on machine learning and analysis techniques for extra-galactic astronomy. Research focuses on developing and applying machine learning to analyze large astronomical datasets, including building novel software for source detection and galaxy image analysis for the Euclid Space Telescope.
```

### Nvidia - Deep Learning Institute

Certificate, Accelerated Computing

```text
Completed the Fundamentals of Accelerated Computing with Modern CUDA C++ course.
```

### University of Bristol

BSc, Physics with Astrophysics

```text
BSc in Physics with Astrophysics, thesis on exploring the bias in X-ray and SZ selected galaxy clusters using scaling relations. Analyzed scaling relations to understand selection effects in galaxy cluster surveys.
```

### Cardiff University

MSc, Astrophysics

```text
MSc in Data Intensive Astrophysics with thesis on the effect of fractal substructure in early stellar cluster evolution. Utilized N-body simulations to model dynamical evolution of clusters with varying fractal substructure.
```

## Tech stack

- MongoDB
- JavaScript
- Python
- HTML5
- CSS 3
- C++
- TensorFlow
- PyTorch
- FastAPI
- Transformers
- Linux
- Git
- Docker
- CUDA
- SQL
- Hugging Face
- HTMX
- Diffusers

To contact Rhys, message them from this profile with a Himalayas employer account: [Hire on Himalayas](https://himalayas.app/hire).

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