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| 2 PhD positions in the field of evolved stars and ALMA | Closing date: 2020-02-20
Contact: Clio Gielen |
The Institute of Astronomy, KU Leuven, Belgium has 2 open PhD positions in the field of evolved stars, entitled ?ATOMIUM: ALMA Tracing the Origins of Molecules formIng dUst in oxygen-rich M-type stars?.
The aim of the PhD positions is to establish the dominant physical and chemical processes in the winds of oxygen-rich evolved stars over a range of stellar masses, pulsation behaviours, mass-loss rates, and evolutionary phases. One student will focus on the analysis of the lower-mass asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, the other one on the more massive red supergiant (RSG) stars. | | ▸ more | The context
Over 200 molecules and 15 dust species have been detected in the interstellar medium, stellar winds, exoplanets, supernovae, active galactic nuclei etc. One of the most fundamental questions in astrophysics deals with the phase transition from simple molecules to larger gas-phase clusters and eventually dust grains. The outflows of evolved stars are the best laboratories to answer this pivotal question due to their rich chemistry and relatively simple dynamical structure. Aiming to establish the dominant physical and chemical processes in the winds of evolved stars, we have requested and were granted an ESO ALMA Large Program, called ATOMIUM ?ALMA Tracing the Origins of Molecules In dUst-forming oxygen-rich M-type stars?. The ATOMIUM project is the first ALMA Large Program which is granted in the field of stellar evolution.
The projects
The aim of the 2 open PhD positions is to establish the dominant physical and chemical processes in the winds of oxygen-rich evolved stars over a range of stellar masses, pulsation behaviours, mass-loss rates, and evolutionary phases. One student will focus on the analysis of the lower-mass asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, the other one on the more massive red supergiant (RSG) stars. The students will work in parallel to unravel the phase transition from gas-phase to dust species, pinpoint the chemical pathways, map the morphological structure, and study the interplay between dynamical and chemical phenomena for both types of stars.
The host institute
The Institute of Astronomy of KU Leuven in Belgium is a vibrant research group of some 70 scientists, engineers, and administrative staff (fys.kuleuven.be/ster), including 6 full-time and 3 part-time professors. The institute is an expertise centre in stellar physics and active in several international consortia and collaborations, involving telescopes at observatories worldwide and in space. The IoA is responsible for the organisation of the 2-year Master in Astronomy & Astrophysics at the Faculty of Science and operates the 1.2m Mercator telescope at La Palma Observatory, Canary Islands.
The positions
The selected PhD students will be offered a 2-year contract, once renewable with 2 more years after positive evaluation. The salary will be commensurate to the standard scale for PhD students in Belgium; it includes social and medical insurance as well as pension rights. The foreseen starting date is September-October 2020. The successful PhD applicants will have to register at, and comply with, the regulations of the Arenberg Doctoral School of the KU Leuven. Good command of the English language is a requirement to be approved by the doctoral school. The successful PhD applicants will follow a doctoral programme including personal training in management, science communication, and teaching. As part of the doctoral requirements, the students will have to take up a teaching task of at maximum 4 hours per week in one of the Bachelor (in Dutch) or Master (in English) programmes. PhD students at IoA are also required to perform at least one Mercator observing run of 10 nights per year for the pooled IoA long-term monitoring programmes.
Requirements and Instructions to Apply
PhD applicants must hold a M.Sc. degree in physics/astrophysics/mathematics or equivalent, at the latest one month before the position can be taken up. Proficiency in English is required.
The application package should be sent as one single PDF containing
(i) a curriculum vitae, with a publication list if relevant;
(ii) a statement of interest (max. one page, including a brief description of research interests and relevant experience);
(iii) copies of university grades, certificates and/or diplomas;
(iv) names and contact details of 2 experts who are prepared to send confidential recommendation letters should they be requested to do so.
The application material should be sent by e-mail to Clio.Gielen @ kuleuven.be with subject ?PhD-ATOMIUM-applicantname? latest by February 20th 2020.
Applications that do not strictly follow these guidelines will not be considered.
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