Introduction
The Cosmic Dawn Center (DAWN) at the Section for Astrophysics and Atmospheric Physics at DTU Space, invites applications for a PhD Fellowship position starting in September 2021, or as soon as possible thereafter.
DAWN is a center of excellence funded by the Danish National Research Foundation, and is located at the National Space Institute (DTU Space), Technical University of Denmark and the Niels Bohr Institute (NBI), University of Copenhagen. The center brings together experts in all aspects of early Universe galaxy evolution and is deeply involved in major existing and upcoming surveys with HST, ALMA, Euclid and JWST, as well as cosmological and zoom-in simulations. This call covers PhD positions based at DTU Space.
DAWN has a number of associate members at major research institutes across Europe, North America, and Australia. PhD students will have both an advisor in Copenhagen and an external advisor at one of our affiliated research institutes. Students will also be expected to spend several months outside of Denmark, which could be at one of our affiliated institutes or another major research institute. Our most recent PhD students have used this time at Cornell, Hawaii, and Oxford. For more information on the Center's activities and researchers, please see www.cosmicdawn.dk.
Project descriptions and qualifications
Fellowships are intended for outstanding candidates with a background in astronomy, physics, or related technical disciplines who are interested in doing research within DAWN's research themes: high-redshift galaxy evolution, epoch of re-ionization, first stars and galaxies, dust and ISM in the early universe and dark matter.
The focus of the fellowship is likely to be on numerical simulations of the first galaxies as they formed and evolved during the cosmic dawn epoch. One of the goals is to simulate the on-sky large-scale fluctuations in the line intensities of the first galaxies. Observing these fluctuations is called intensity mapping (IM), and is a new technique for studying the large-scale structure of the Universe. The IM signal depends both on the detailed astrophysical processes in the ISM within the galaxies as well as the underlying dark matter density. The IM technique, therefore, provides important cosmological and astrophysical information, not readily obtained using other methods. The scope of the simulations may also be extended to understanding the formation of the first galaxies and clusters of galaxies. Such simulations will be undertaken in synergy with observations with ALMA and the JWST, as well as other major surveys such as COSMOS and the Cosmic Dawn Survey.
The position is available for three years for candidates already holding a MSc. The successful applicants are expected to: manage and carry out their own research project, write half-year progress reports, disseminate results at conferences and through scientific articles, undertake teaching duties (up to 15% of working time) and attend PhD courses (30 ECTS). Also, a mandatory research stay during a semester abroad is to be foreseen.
Candidates should have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the DTU PhD Guide. http://www.dtu.dk/english/Education/PhD/Rules/PhDguide
Assessment
The successful candidate has outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills to become a committed researcher with a drive for excellence. Experience with python, machine learning and Bayesian statistics is an advantage but not required.
The assessment of the applicants will be made by the DTU Space and DAWN staff.
We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.
Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here. http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Prof. Thomas Greve (tgreve@space.dtu.dk) at DAWN, tel.: +45 4525 9688.
You can read more about DTU Space at www.space.dtu.dk/english/Research/Research-Divisions/Astrophysics-and-Atmospheric-Physics and the Cosmic Dawn Center at www.cosmicdawn.dk.
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU - Moving to Denmark. https://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/moving-to-denmark
Application
Please submit your online application by 25 February 2022 (Danish time).
Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include: A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
Curriculum vitae
Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here) http://www.dtu.dk/english/Education/phd/Applicant/Pre_acceptance-1-
Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.
Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
DTU Space
has about 145 employees, an annual turn-over of about 130 MDKK and it is located at the Lyngby Campus of the Technical University of Denmark together with 19 other institutes within the technical sciences. As the National Space Institute, DTU Space is the leading institution of public space activities in Denmark. The mission of the Institute is to conduct research, development, public sector consultancy, education and innovation at the highest international level within the following areas: Space Technology & Instrumentation, Earth Observation & Geoscience and Space- & Astro-physics.
In the Astrophysics and Atmospheric Division, current focus areas cover large-scale structure of the universe, physics of compact objects, space weather, upper atmosphere physics and cosmo-climatology as well as development of instrumentation, in particular high-energy instrumentation, i.e. X- and gamma ray detectors and -optics. The division is currently active in operation of instruments on and data analysis from three satellites. The division also runs four instrumentation laboratories and hosts a center for space weather research and forecasts.
Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,900 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.
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