ESO Fellowship Scheme 2019/2020 (Europe/Chile)

The European Southern Observatory awards several postdoctoral fellowships each year, offering outstanding early-career scientists the opportunity to develop their independent research programmes in the exciting scientific environment of one of the world's foremost observatories. Fellowships are available both at ESO’s Headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany, and at ESO’s astronomy centre in Santiago, Chile.

The fellowships in Garching are awarded initially for one year followed by a two-year extension (three years total). In addition to developing their independent research programmes, ESO Garching Fellows will be expected to engage in some functional work, at a level of 25% of their time, related to e.g. instrumentation, ALMA, E-ELT, or science operations support in Garching or Chile.

The fellowships in Chile are granted for one year initially, with annual extensions for three additional years (four years total). During the first three years, Fellows are assigned to one of the science operations groups of Paranal, ALMA or APEX, where they will contribute to the operations at a level of 80 nights per year. The fourth year Fellows may spend at any ESO site, or at any astronomical institute in an ESO member state or in Chile. There are no functional duties during the fourth year, except in the case that the fourth year is spent at ESO Chile where Fellows are expected to carry out functional work up to 25% of their time.

The ESO Fellowship scheme is open to applicants who will have achieved their PhD in astronomy, physics or a related discipline before 1 November 2020. Early-career scientists from all astrophysical fields are welcome to apply. While scientific excellence is the primary selection criterion for all fellowships, candidates should also explain (in their motivation letter) how ESO’s facilities and their work at ESO would facilitate their scientific development.

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (tax-free) and comprehensive social benefits. For more information about the fellowship scheme and ESO's astronomical research activities, please see: https://www.eso.org/sci/activities/FeSt-overview/fellowship_scheme.html.

To apply for the ESO Fellowship, please register using the online service at http://jobs.eso.org. Candidates are asked to create a PDF using the ESO Fellowship Application Form. The form is available for download as Word, LibreOffice and Latex template at the following page: https://www.eso.org/sci/activities/FeSt-overview/fellowship_scheme/application_guidelines.html.

The closing date for applications is 15 October 2019.