The Department of Astronomy at Stockholm University invites applications to 2 PhD positions in the fields of stellar and supernova astrophysics. The department consists of 15 faculty staff, ~20 senior and postdoctoral researchers, and ~25 PhD students. Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and has an international character. Most Stockholm researchers have an international background and English is commonly used both at the department and in daily life.
The two positions are hosted by two newly established and growing research groups, both receiving project-funding from ERC grants and the Wallenberg foundation. The main focus is to improve our understanding of stars and stellar explosions, by developing realistic 3-dimensional spectrum-formation models and compare them to astronomical observations.
Over the next few years the groups will consist of 3 PhD students and 3-5 postdocs each, with plenty of possibilities for synergies between them and with other groups at the department, including the larger supernovae and astrophysical computations group, as well as the solar, planetary, and galaxy evolution research groups. We also have large international collaboration networks and generous funding is available for project-related travel.
Stars
The PhD is part of the ERC Starting Grant project “Multi-dimensional analysis of the metal-poor Galaxy”. Of central importance to the project is stellar spectroscopy using advanced numerical simulations of the stellar surface in 3-dimensions and in non-local thermodynamic equilibrium.
The research group, led by Dr. Karin Lind, works within the framework of million-star surveys of the Milky Way. We are part of large international survey teams that map the chemical composition, ages and dynamics of stars to study the formation history of the Galaxy, the physics of stars, and the origin on chemical elements.
Supernovae
The PhD is part of the ERC Starting Grant project “Three-dimensional spectral modelling of astrophysical transients: unravelling the nucleosynthetic content of supernovae and kilonovae”. The position involves developing and applying 3D computational tools for modelling the physical processes in supernovae, and applying these models to make predictions for how light curves and spectra will appear. By comparing such models to observations, one may diagnose the element production, the stellar progenitors, and the explosion physics of supernovae.
The research group is led by Dr Anders Jerkstrand and works to develop spectral models for both supernovae (massive star collapse) and kilonovae (neutron-star mergers).
Further information about qualifications requirements, selection procedure, terms of employment, contact details and application form link can be found here. You are welcome to apply!