PhD Project in extragalactic stellar streams
DARK, Niels Bohr Institute invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in Extragalactic Stellar Streams. The project is part of the research project “Decoding Dark Matter with Stellar Streams Beyond the Milky Way”, led by Sarah Pearson. Start date is (expected to be) September 1st, 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The project
The project involves exploring what we can learn about dark matter from extragalactic stellar streams.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates with an interest in galaxies, galactic dynamics, stellar streams, dark matter, extragalactic astrophysics, and/or simulations. PhD students are encouraged to develop ownership of their projects and will receive support to travel to international conferences, and to visit collaborators.
Our group and research- and what do we offer?
Pearson’s Extragalactic Streams group works on a variety of topics including globular cluster streams in dwarf galaxies, developing stream-finding algorithms to search for streams in new datasets, developing stream fitting tools for extragalactic streams, and predicting the behavior of stellar streams within different dark matter frameworks.
The group works at the intersection of theory and observations, and analyzes large-scale cosmological simulations, run stream simulations, while comparing their models to data.
The group is a part of DARK, Niels Bohr Institute, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen.
We are located in Copenhagen. DARK’s areas of research include, but are not limited to: observations, simulations and theory of astrophysical transients and cosmic explosions (including gravitational waves, tidal disruption events and supernovae), neutrino astrophysics, high-redshift galaxies, fundamental cosmology, dark matter and dark energy, black holes and AGN, and cosmic dust. Students are encouraged to interact with scientists at other research centers.
- DARK is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.
- All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to background, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or age.
- DARK strives to facilitate the progress of underrepresented groups in higher education careers and strongly encourages these candidates to apply.
We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment.
The PhD programme
A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree at the time of the start of the position.
Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. physics/astronomy. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.
Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.
- Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen.
- This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.
- Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.
The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
Responsibilities and tasks
- Carry through an independent research project under supervision
- Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
- Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
- Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
- Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
- Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project
We are looking for the following qualifications:
- Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
- Relevant publications
- Relevant work experience
- Other relevant professional activities
- Curious mind-set with a strong interest in galactic dynamics.
- Good language skills
Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include:
- Motivated letter of application (max. two pages)
- Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
- Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
- Publication list (if possible)
Note: Please note that we do not request letters of recommendation to be sent at any point in the search for this position.
Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 1 November 2024, 23:59 GMT +1.
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the above mentioned requirements.
The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.
The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in January 2025.
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact Sarah Pearson, sarah.pearson@nbi.ku.dk,
General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.
<< APPLY FOR THE POSITION ONLINE NOW >>
Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.
Emner
Kontakt
The deadline for applications is 1 November 2024, 23:59 GMT +1.
Principal supervisor is Professor Marianne Vestergaard, DARK, Niels Bohr Institute, E-mail: mvester@nbi.ku.dk
Co-superviser is Assistant Professor Sarah Pearson, DARK, Niels Bohr Institute, E-mail: sarah.pearson@nbi.ku.dk
The Niels Bohr Institute as a workplace
The Niels Bohr Institute has a strong cultural heritage accumulated from our 100 years of internationally high level of research and teaching.
The initiator of our Department, Niels Bohr, had an international mindset about scientific collaboration as well as a desire for an open and open-minded atmosphere for all.
100 years later, we still have an informal and open international research environment that strives to promote research, teaching and innovation at the highest level with respect and helpfulness towards students, colleagues and all other stakeholders.
Our students, staff and partners are the source of our success and at the same time our best ambassadors. As a Department, we want to create an inspiring and challenging work environment with a good balance between work and private life.
We want the Niels Bohr Institute to be a place where people are proud of and happy to work, study and collaborate with.