A PhD position at KU Leuven on the topic of scientific exploitation of the Mercator Telescope

11 May 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

KU Leuven

Research Field

Astronomy

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Belgium

Application Deadline

27 May 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-2024-295

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

No

Offer Description

We invite motivated candidates to apply for a PhD position as part of the FWO Research Project (2024-2029) on scientific exploitation of the Mercator Observatory. The Project will leverage large observing programs at the Mercator telescope to address two important issues related to the stellar structure and evolution of single and binary stars, while using binaries as privilege laboratories: (i) the discrepant values of stellar mass estimates between different techniques, and (ii) the search for a large population of main sequence binary interaction products that can be used to calibrate the end product of stable mass transfer.
The present FWO Project aims to identify and remedy major shortcomings in our understanding of stellar structure and evolution of single and binary stars. To reach the Project's goals, the selected candidate will be integrated within the research groups of Prof. Hugues Sana and Dr. Andrew Tkachenko. The candidate will also be offered training in science communication, master student supervision (both at the level of short-term research projects and long-term master thesis), and grant application writing to prepare for an independent career track in academia.
The vacancy:

A 4-year PhD position is offered at the Institute of Astronomy, KU Leuven to work on scientific exploitation of the ground-based spectroscopic data obtained with the HERMES spectrograph attached to the Mercator telescope. HERMES is a fiber-fed high-resolution (R~85 000) instrument covering the entire optical range of the spectrum (380-900 nm) and featuring ~50 m/s long-term (over a decade) radial velocity stability.
The candidate will work with a combined ground-based spectroscopic (HERMES@Mercator) and space-based photometric (Kepler, TESS) data set of some 250 intermediate- to high-mass (≳1.2 M☉) binary stars to precisely (

Requirements

Research Field

Astronomy

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Astronomy

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Additional Information
Benefits

Salaries will be commensurate with the standard scales at the host institutes. Salaries include social and medical/dental insurance, opportunities for parental leave, and retirement contributions.

The short-listed applicants will be invited for an online interview in the week of June 10th 2024. Decisions will be communicated by June 17th 2024, followed by a 1-week term to decide on acceptance or rejection of the offered position. The starting date for the positions is between September 1st 2024 and November 1st 2024.

• Application Deadline: May 27th 2024

• Selection Deadline: June 17th 2024

Eligibility criteria

Applicants with a Master degree or an equivalent in astrophysics or physics are eligible for the position. High proficiency in English is mandatory. Prior knowledge in stellar spectroscopy and modelling tools for binary stars is an asset, as is the knowledge of a programming language.

The application package should contain:

• a 1-page cover letter, indicating a motivational statement;
• a 2-page of the master thesis research;
• a curriculum vitae, with a full publication list;
• 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.

Selection process

For questions about the position: please contact Prof. Hugues Sana, [email protected] or Dr. Andrew Tkachenko, [email protected]

For questions on the application process: please contact Rose Stanley, [email protected]

You can apply for this job no later than 27/05/2024 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/eljhp8e21Tf2de1nqqLM

Contact

State/Province

Leuven

City

Vlaams Brabant

Street

Leuven

Postal Code

3000

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED