The Kapteyn Astronomical Institute of the University of Groningen invites applications for at least 3 PhD positions.
The four-year PhD program consists mostly of research under the supervision of one or more faculty members. Positions are available in all the research areas in which the Institute is active. These include cosmology and large scale structure, galaxy formation and evolution, star formation and interstellar medium, compact objects and instrumentation. More information about research at the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute can be found at http://www.rug.nl/research/kapteyn/
The Kapteyn Astronomical Institute is part of the Netherlands Research School for Astronomy (NOVA), and is world-wide recognised by the quality of its research in multiple areas of Astronomy. With 15 faculty and 50 PhD students it is the second largest astronomical institute in the Netherlands. Groningen, a historic town in the North of the Netherlands, occupies a strategic place within Dutch Astronomy, as it hosts both the Kapteyn Institute and one of the two divisions of the Netherlands Institute for Space Research (SRON) at the same location. At the institute, English is the common language. During their thesis, Kapteyn PhD students are paid as civil servants, which means that they earn competitive salaries (the current annual gross salary, including allowances, increases from about EUR 28,000 in year 1 to about EUR 36,000 in year 4) and are eligible for both social security and retirement benefits. PhD positions are funded for four years.
We seek excellent graduate students with backgrounds in the physical sciences who desire obtaining a PhD degree from a top European university. A successful candidate must hold a Masters degree or equivalent by the time the position is begun. Previous research experience and skills will be important criteria for the selection. The PhD positions are not restricted by nationality.
Applicants should send a CV, transcripts of study records (with grades), and a brief statement of past research and research interests to Prof. Reynier Peletier (directeur@astro.rug.nl). They should also arrange for two reference letters to be sent to this electronic address before the application deadline. Informal enquiries about this position are welcome, and should be sent to the email address provided above. The starting dates are negotiable.
Complete applications received by January 6, 2013 will receive full consideration.
