PhD Fellow position at The Cosmic DAWN Center, Faculty of Science at University of Copenhagen

The Cosmic DAWN Center, Faculty of Science at University of Copenhagen invites applications for a PhD Fellow position starting in September 2022, or as soon as possible thereafter.

About the Cosmic DAWN Center

DAWN is a center of excellence funded by the Danish National Research Foundation, and is located at the Niels Bohr Institute (NBI), University of Copenhagen and at the Space division of the Danish Technical University (DTU-Space).  The center brings together experts in all aspects of early Universe galaxy evolution and is deeply involved in major existing and upcoming surveys with HST, ALMA, Euclid and JWST, as well as cosmological and zoom in simulations.  

For more information on the Center's activities and researchers, please see http://dawn.nbi.ku.dk

Project:

The PhD candidate will be working on projects to investigate galaxy evolution through the enrichment of metals and gas-flows in the outskirts of high redshift galaxies. The PhD project will use data of quasar absorption lines obtained from the VLT- and an upcoming large spectroscopic survey, and involve

analyses of both observational data and numerical simulations.

A background in astrophysics including experience with processing astrophysical data and proficiency in programming in python will be an advantage.

Job description:

The position is available for a 3-year period and your key tasks as a PhD student at SCIENCE are:

                      • To manage and carry through your research project

                      • Attend PhD courses

                      • Write scientific articles and your PhD thesis

                      • Teach and disseminate your research

                      • To stay at an external research institution for a few months, preferably outside of Denmark.

                      • Work for the department on various ad hoc scientific tasks as required

Formal requirements:

Applicants should hold an MSc degree in Astronomy, Astrophysics, or Physics with good results and good English skills. As criteria for the assessment of your qualifications emphasis will also be based on previous publications (if any) and relevant work experience.  Applicants for the integrated MSc and PhD Scheme are only required to hold a Bachelor’s degree in Astronomy, Astrophysics, or Physics.

Terms of employment

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

The starting salary is currently at a minimum DKK 325.625 (approx. €43,400) including annual supplement (+ pension up to DKK 52,918). Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

Integrated MSc and PhD Scheme:  

The position is also available for candidates who are (or are eligible to be) enrolled at one of the faculty’s master programmes in Astronomy or Physics. The duration of the integrated programme depends on the amount of credits that you have passed on your MSc programme. For further information about the study programme please see: www.science.ku.dk/phd , “Study Structures”.

Scholarship and terms of employment for integrated MSc and PhD:

In the period up to the completion of the MSc programme (up to three years), the student is entitled to so-called PhD grant portions. The grant portions are financed by the grant donor but not by the Danish State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme Agency (as is the case for the ordinary study grant portions on the BSc and MSc programmes). They are called PhD grant portions because this kind of remuneration is regulated and described in the Executive Order on the State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme in Denmark, and because the value of a PhD grant portion corresponds to the value of an ordinary Danish study grant portion. Students are awarded 48 PhD grant portions during the period of their MSc and PhD studies.

48 PhD grant portions at DKK 6,090 each, corresponding to DKK 292,320 (approx. €38,975).

Duty work:

As a supplement to the PhD grant portions, the student may, in accordance with the collective agreement of the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC), be offered 'duty work'. In the period up to the completion of the MSc programme, students performing 'duty work' are paid by the hour. UCPH has decided to offer students on integrated MSc and PhD schemes 150 hours of 'duty work' per year during Part A of the programme (until two years of the combined programme of study remain). 'Duty work' during Part A if it has a duration of three years: 450 hours at a rate of DKK 216.14 (+ 12.5% holiday pay), corresponding to DKK 109,418 (approx. €14,580).

For further information about Part A please see: https://www.science.ku.dk/english/research/phd/studystructure/integratedphd/ . 

Salary in accordance with the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC)

In the period after the completion of the MSc programme, the student is employed as a PhD scholar and is remunerated in accordance with the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The scheme is arranged in such a way that students graduate from the MSc programme at a time when there are two years left of the integrated programme. For this reason, the salary must be paid for a period of two years in accordance with the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The amounts specified include a supplement locally agreed upon as well as pension contributions: Salary as a PhD scholar: 24 months at a rate of DKK 30,883 (including pension contributions and supplement), corresponding to DKK 741,210 (approx. €98,800).
Application Procedure:

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

                      • Cover Letter (optional)

• A statement describing your research interests and background as they relate to the Cosmic DAWN Center

                      • CV (including any publications)

                      • Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc/AB and MSc if applicable)

                      • Full contact details (Name, address, telephone & email) of 3 professional referees.

The research statement should not exceed 3 pages (text, figures and references included) with a font size no smaller than 11pt Times New Roman (or equivalent).
The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

For more information on the project contact:

Associate Professor Lise Bech Christensen [email protected]

Application deadline is 23 December 2021, 23:59 GMT +1.
Selected short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview in March 2022. 

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.