We are offering up to three PhD positions on galaxy evolution at Chalmers

Publiceringsdatum: 2025-04-17

Chalmers Tekniska Högskola AB söker just nu efter en doktorand och du kan vara den de letar efter. Chalmers Tekniska Högskola AB behöver någon som vill arbeta heltid. Om du är tillgänglig för 6 månader eller längre, ta en titt på denna jobbannons. För detta jobb är Göteborg den angivna tjänsteorten.

Chalmers Tekniska Högskola AB söker efter fler duktiga individer som vill arbeta som doktorand. De har just nu tre lediga jobb som doktorand som kan vara av intresse för dig. Har du vad som krävs för att arbeta som doktorand hos Chalmers Tekniska Högskola AB? Ansök innan tisdag den tjugonde maj 2025 och ta reda på det!

Jobbannons

Galaxies in early Universe are key to understanding how galaxies such as the Milky Way evolved until today. Through investigations of cosmologically distant galaxies, the goal is characterize the properties of early galaxies to establish what are the important mechanisms that drive the evolution of massive galaxies and of galaxies during the epoch of reionization.

About us

Astronomy and plasma physics (AoP) division at the Space, Earth and Environment (SEE) department at Chalmers hosts about 45 staff members involved in research activities such as active galactic nuclei, evolved stars, exoplanets, galaxy evolution, interstellar medium, star formation, as well as turbulence and transport in tokamaks and general fusion plasma physics. The division also collaborates with the Onsala Space Observatory that hosts, e.g., the Nordic ALMA Regional Center node, and is the SKA center for Sweden. The fusion research activities are aligned with the integrated European fusion research programme implemented by the EUROfusion consortium, which conducts experiments on several European fusion devices such as JET. There are also close links to the ITER project.

About the research project 

Up to three PhD positions are available in the research group of Prof. Kirsten Kraiberg Knudsen. All are focused on different aspects of early galaxies and galaxy evolution.

Position 1: Understanding the role of the environment of massive galaxies as an external mechanism driving galaxy evolution. The project will focus developing methods to search mm/radio interferometric data and observations of massive galaxies for companion galaxies. The further aim is characterize the properties of companion galaxies and place this in the context of galaxy evolution. Good programming skills are important.

Position 2: Understanding how internal physical mechanisms can drive the evolution of massive galaxies. This is done by characterizing possible signatures of feedback from AGN and starbursts.

Position 3: Characterising the ISM properties of galaxies during the Epoch of Reionization. This project is part of the ERC Synergy grant RECAP with collaborations in Italy (INAF, Rome and Trieste) and Germany (MPA, Garching).

Who we are looking for

Required qualifications:

• To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in physics, astronomy or related fields when starting the position.
• Candidates should have a solid background in physics and mathematics.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

Meritorious

• General astronomy.
• Experience with extragalactic research and/or radio/mm interferometry would be an asset, but is not a requirement.

What you will do

Your major responsibilities as a PhD student is to pursue your doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts within the scientific framework of the described projects and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing.

• Take courses at an advanced level within the Graduate school of radio and space science .
• Develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing.
• The position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to 20 per cent of working hours.
• The position is limited to maximum of five years with four years constituting the PhD studies and project.

Contract terms and what we offer

• The PhD-positions are fully funded from start.
• As a PhD student at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
• The position is limited to four years, with the possibility to teach up to 20%, which extends the position to five years.
• A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.
• A starting salary of 34,550 SEK per month (valid from May 25, 2025).

Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence. We celebrate diversity and consider equality and inclusion as fundamental aspects of all our activities.

If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses to help you settle in.

Discover more

Find more general information about doctoral studies at Chalmers here. 

Application procedure

The application should be written in English be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

• CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name; also please include the contact information of two reference persons)
• Personal letter (1 page; please name the document: Personal letter, Family name)
• Research statement (1 page to explain your master's thesis and other research projects; please name the document: Research Statement, Family name)
• Bachelor’s and, if available, master’s thesis together with the transcripts.
• Documents confirming your English proficiency: e.g. TOEFL/IELTS test results, a course/project report written in English (if your bachelor’s/master’s thesis is not in English). 

Reference letters:

Please arrange for two reference letters to be emailed directly to Prof Kirsten K. Knudsen (kirsten.knudsen@chalmers.se) by the time of the application deadline. Please ask the reference persons to include the 'Ref. number and your name' in the email subject line.

Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered.

Application deadline:  May 20, 2025

For questions about the research project and recruitment process, please contact:

Prof. Kirsten K. Knudsen

Email: kirsten.knudsen@chalmers.se 

Tel: +46-709-434259

We look forward to your application!