2 PhD positions for the SOUL project at KU Leuven

10 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

KU Leuven

Research Field

Astronomy » Astrophysics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Belgium

Application Deadline

25 Mar 2024 - 00:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38 hours/week

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

BAP-2024-83

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

We invite motivated candidates to apply for PhD positions as part of the new Centre of Excellence SOUL: Stellar evOlution in fUll gLory, a long-term project receiving structural funds from the Flemish government and awarded to Conny Aerts, Hugues Sana, Leen Decin, and Tom Van Doorsselaere. SOUL bridges the Institute of Astronomy (IoA) and the Centre of mathematical Plasma Astrophysics (CmPA) of KU Leuven in Belgium and aims to develop 3D models of evolving close binaries and star-planet systems. The 4 PIs are well embedded in international consortia and collaborations, involving worldwide observatories on ground and in space, as well as high-performance computing centres.

(1) A 2 + 2-year PhD position. Within this position we will build numerical 3D magnetohydrodynamic models for stellar atmospheres in a binary system. The student will work in close collaboration with the postdoc who implements the numerical model and will extend their work to binary systems. The aim is to quantify binary mass exchanges in advanced atmospheric models of star-star and star-planet systems. Previous student projects or internships with supercomputing and programming for MHD are a plus. In-depth knowledge of plasma physics is essential. Promotor: Tom Van Doorsselaere. Inquiries: [email protected]
(2) A 2 + 2-year PhD position. The aim of this position is to provide the temporal evolution of the multiplicity properties as massive stars age and interact. The student will utilise Mercator, VLT, Gaia and TESS observations to map the evolution of supernova progenitors. Interpretation of these data will provide a first statistically meaningful homogeneous sample of quiescent neutron star and black hole single-degenerate binaries in the Milky Way. Our improved statistics will serve as benchmark for the theoretical computations. Promotor: Hugues Sana. Inquiries: [email protected]

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Languages

DUTCH

Level

Basic

Additional Information
Benefits

The successful PhD applicants 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. The successful PhD applicants will have to register at, and comply with, the regulations of the KU Leuven’s Arenberg Doctoral School before final acceptance. 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 the IoA are expected to perform at least two Mercator observing runs, of 10 nights, as part of their PhD training.

All offered contracts will include social and medical insurance as well as pension rights. Working hours for these positions are flexible and the opportunity for partial teleworking is offered. Refund of commuting expenses when using public transport or bicycle are included. The KU Leuven offers access to childcare.
The short-listed applicants will be invited for an online interview in the week of April 15th 2024. Decisions will be communicated by May 1st 2024, followed by a 1-week term to decide on acceptance or rejection of offered positions.

The preferred start date for all positions is between August 1st and October 1st 2024.

• Application Deadline: March 25th 2024
• Selection Deadline: May 1st 2024

Eligibility criteria

PhD applicants must hold a M.Sc. degree in physics, astrophysics or mathematics or an equivalent diploma. The degree must be dated at the latest one month before the position can be taken up. Expertise in astrophysics is an asset but not a requirement. Depending on the project, relevant prior experience is an asset but not a requirement.

The application package should include:

• A 1-page cover letter, indicating a motivational statement and clearly stating which PhD position(s) the candidate is interested in;
• A 1-page summary of previous research experience and achievements;
• A curriculum vitae, with a full publication list, if relevant;
• A list of all master courses, including number of ECTS and the individual scores obtained, as well as the yearly averages;
• The names and contact details of two references who are prepared to send confidential recommendation letters should they be requested to do so.

Members of minorities and underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply for all positions offered. KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact [email protected] .

Selection process

General Inquiries About SOUL and profiles:
Attention To: Prof. Conny Aerts, Corresponding Principal Investigator SOUL;
Subject: Methusalem Grant SOUL positions;
Email: [email protected]

For questions on the application process: please contact Rose Stanley, [email protected]
You can apply for this job no later than 25/03/2024 via the online application tool

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

KU Leuven

Country

Belgium

State/Province

Vlaams Brabant

City

Leuven

Postal Code

3000

Street

Leuven

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://easyapply.jobs/r/vjBkB8v21jyWpvLuBJx

Contact

State/Province

Leuven

City

Vlaams Brabant

Street

Leuven

Postal Code

3000

STATUS: EXPIRED