PHD POSITION IN ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS IN SWEDEN

Job assignments

The PhD position concerns empirical and theoretical investigations on how to detect and characterize so-called stellar moving groups. Today we know that stars are born in groups of different sizes. Some groups are massive enough that they remain as stellar clusters, while others gradually dissolve as their gravity cannot hold them together. The latter stars are dispersed and become the so called field stars in the Milky Way. Stars that are born together share common features such as the same age and chemical composition. Through studies of stellar spectra we can determine the amount of heavy elements in the stars and by studying their motions in the Milky Way we can determine where they were born. Stars with a common origin are thus identifiable as a group if their elemental abundances and orbits can be determined well enough. The successful candidate will, for example, study how precisely such a group of stars can be defined in relation to other stellar groupings. A deeper understanding of these methodologies and their limitations is required, e.g., in order to plan future observations in such a way that they permit models of galaxy formation and evolution to be efficiently tested.

Eligibility/Entry Requirements

The position is open to students of all nationalities who, at the time of starting the scholarship, have obtained a Masters degree in astronomy, physics, or engineering physics, or in other ways obtained the equivalent qualifications. In case of uncertainty concerning the applicant's eligibility, it is advisable to contact the department for clarification. The discipline curriculum for postgraduate studies in Astronomy and astrophysics is found athttp://www.science.lu.se/upload/LUPDF/natvet/FU/Studieplan/E-astronomy.pdf . For more information on the institute and our PhD programme, see also http://www.astro.lu.se andhttp://www.astro.lu.se/Education/FU .

Basis of Assessment

Regulations concerning appointment as a full PhD student can be found in HF 5 Chap 1-7§§ and SFS 1998:80. Also consult the admission regulations found at http://www.science.lu.se/o.o.i.s/4964 . To be accepted for postgraduate studies, a student must be judged to have the competence necessary to complete a PhD during the tenure of the appointment.

Additional Information

Applications should include a description of research interests and past experience, CV, copies of degrees, diplomas and grades, copies of any previous research-related work. The application should also include the names, positions, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of at least two persons who have agreed to serve as a reference for the applicant. Note that reference letters should not be sent to us in connection with the application; we will contact the reference persons when required.

For further information please contact:
Sofia Feltzing, Professor
+46-(0)46-2227294
sofia@astro.lu.se

Lennart Lindegren, Professor
+46-(0)46-2227309
lennart@astro.lu.se

www.astro.lu.se/~sofia/GREAT-ITN

Last Day of Applying
       2011-03-31

Appointment Procedure

Complete information about the application process can be found here:http://www.naturvetenskap.lu.se/o.o.i.s/11729