Research Fellow · University of Auckland
Sean Richards
Computational astrophysics — binary stars, compact remnants, gravitational waves
I model how binary stars live, die, and kick their remnants across the galaxy — using the BPASS models, the STARS code, and the merger rates seen by LIGO and Virgo.
What I'm about
Binary evolution, remnant kicks, and the gravitational-wave sky.
I work with stellar models — primarily the BPASS models and the STARS code. I study compact remnant population synthesis and the nature of the natal supernova kick, using the observed merger rate densities from LIGO and Virgo to constrain the kick parameters — α and β for the Bray kick, and σ for the Hobbs kick.
I also have a strong interest in computational astrophysics. My background in Computer Science is what equipped me to take on large-scale stellar modelling, and I'm currently developing the BPASS v3 data release.
Tools of the trade
The models and observatories behind the work.
BPASS
Binary Population and Spectral Synthesis — the stellar population models at the core of my research, now heading toward a v3 data release.
bpass.auckland.ac.nz →STARS
A detailed stellar-evolution code used to follow binary systems through mass transfer, core collapse, and remnant formation.
github.com/UoA-Stars-And-Supernovae/STARS →LIGO & Virgo
Observed compact-object merger rate densities that I use to constrain natal-kick parameters against real gravitational-wave events.
Expertise
From first-year CS to full binary-physics modelling.
Bachelor of Science
Computer Science & Physics
Majoring in Computer Science, with an algorithmics and computability focus, and Physics, with an astrophysics focus.
Postgraduate Diploma in Science
University of Auckland Ground Station One
Worked with Te Pūnaha Ātea to help develop the University of Auckland's first ground station.
Master of Science
The Missing Mergers: Modelling the observed binary neutron-star population and their mergers
Worked with Professor Jan Eldridge to determine the nature of the natal supernova kick.
Doctor of Philosophy
The Next Generation: Refining the Standard Population Synthesis Model to Better Predict Stellar Population Properties
Working with Professor Jan Eldridge, Associate Professor Nick Rattenbury, and Dr Héloïse Stevance to more efficiently model the full physics of binary star systems.
Research Fellow — current
Full binary-physics modelling
Working with Professor Jan Eldridge, Dr Nick Rattenbury, and Dr Héloïse Stevance to more efficiently model the full physics of binary star systems.
Programming
Years of writing the code the models run on.
Python is my native language, but I've also worked in C, C++, C#, Lua, HTML/CSS/JS/jQuery, three generations of Fortran, PHP, and Julia.
Documents
CV, thesis, and publications.
Curriculum Vitae
Get a copy of my full academic CV.
ZenodoMaster's Thesis
The Missing Mergers: Modelling the observed binary neutron-star population and their mergers
ResearchSpaceDoctoral Thesis
The Next Generation: Refining the Standard Population Synthesis Model to Better Predict Stellar Population Properties
ADSPublications
Find my papers on the Astrophysics Data System.
Curious about my PhD?
I kept a live data tracker of where things stand — milestones, word counts, and everything in between.
Get in touch
Say hello.
Address
38 Princes StreetAuckland Central
Auckland 1010
New Zealand