University of Copenhagen PhD scholarship in Extragalactic Astrophysics

PhD
fellow in Extragalactic Astrophysics

The Dark Cosmology
Center/Niels Bohr Institute, Faculty of Science at University of Copenhagen is
offering a PhD scholarship in extragalactic astrophysics commencing 20
September 2016 or soon thereafter.

Description
of the scientific environment

Located at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, DARK’s areas of
research include, but are not limited to: theoretical and observational study
of high-redshift galaxy evolution, quasars, black holes, supernovae,
reionization, gamma-ray bursts, dark matter, dark energy,

cosmic dust, clusters
of galaxies and gravitational lensing. You can read more about DARK here: http://dark.nbi.ku.dk
Project description

We are looking for a
talented, highly motivated and creative scientist who is interested in
observational astrophysics. The primary project will focus on galaxy evolution
and in particular on the study of the physical properties of star forming
galaxies across cosmic time.
Recent observations have revealed that the stellar birth-rate in our cosmos
peaked approximately ten billion years ago and have identified distant, massive
galaxies as the principle hosts of star-formation activity. Was the
star-formation in these galaxies mainly driven by smooth cold gas accretion,
similar to what we see in the majority of local star-forming galaxies, or
rather by short lived starburst events triggered by galaxy mergers? Is there a
universal star-formation law that governs the efficiency at which galaxies form
stars? What are the physical processes that shaped the evolution of the star
formation activity in the galaxies over the last 10 billion years?
To address these vital questions the PhD student will measure the amount of
dust, gas and stars as well as the physical condition of the interstellar
medium of galaxies across various epochs in the history of the Universe. The
project involves data analysis (and interpretation) obtained by the most
powerful ground based and space telescopes to date (ALMA, Herschel, VLT,
Hubble, IRAM).

Principal
supervisor

Assistant Professor Georgios Magdis, Dark Cosmology Center, Niels Bohr
Institute, magdis@dark-cosmology.dk,
+4535335304

The PhD student will
have the opportunity to interact with other senior members and postdocs at
DARK, and collaborate with various international groups and institutes (e.g.
Univ. of Oxford, Harvard University-CfA. European Space Agency-ESA,
Commissariat a lenergie atomique (CEA-FR) etc). For more about DARK’s staff,
see http://dark.nbi.ku.dk/people/

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
abroad
• Work for the department

Formal
requirements


Applicants should hold an MSc degree in Astrophysics (or Physics) with high
marks and excellent English skills. As criteria for the assessment of your
qualifications emphasis will also be laid on previous publications (if any) and
relevant work experience.

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 309,109 including annual supplement (+ pension up
to DKK 42,699). Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

Application
Procedure

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

Please include
• Cover Letter, stating which PhD project you are applying for and detailing
your motivation and background for applying for the specific PhD project.
• CV
• Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc)
• Acceptance Letter for the relevant MSc Programme at SCIENCE, if any
• Other information for consideration, e.g. list of publications (if any),
• Full contact details (Name, address, telephone & email) of 1-3
professional referees

The University
wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes
applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

The deadline for applications is
23 May 2016
, 23:59 GMT +1. Applications received after the
deadline for applications will not be considered.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment
manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview
Committee. Afterwards an assessment committee will be appointed to evaluate the
selected applications. The applicants will be notified of the composition of
the committee and the final selection of a successful candidate will be made by
the Head of Department, based on the recommendations of the assessment
committee and the interview committee.

The main criterion for selection will be the research potential of the
applicant and the above mentioned skills. The successful candidate will then be
requested to formally apply for enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD school of
Science. You can read more about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

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