PhD student in astronomy and astrophysics, with focus on gravitationally lensed stars observed with the James Webb Space Telescope Full-time NEW

PhD Student In Astronomy And Astrophysics

Uppsala University, Department of Physics and Astronomy

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is one of the largest departments at Uppsala University. It comprises close to 400 employees, including around 125 PhD students. The department conducts world-class research and education within both theoretical and experimental physics and is engaged in extensive cooperation with external partners. The research is performed at 10 research divisions, and touches upon everything from the incomprehensibly small to the large within e.g. energy supply, climate development, new materials, and the Universe. This whole spectrum of research is also mirrored in the courses and educational programmes offered by the department. Around 2500 students take the department's courses at basic and advanced level each year.

At the Division of Astronomy and Space Physics, research is conducted within the fields of stellar physics, planetary systems, galaxies and cosmology, atomic astrophysics, and astronomical instrumentation. The division participates in a number of international scientific collaborations around telescopes and satellites. We are looking for a PhD student in astronomy and astrophysics, who will do research on gravitationally lensed stars at cosmological distances. The PhD student will primarily work with Professor Erik Zackrisson. This PhD position is funded by the Swedish National Space Agency.

Duties: The successful candidate will work on data collected by the James Webb Space Telescope on gravitationally lensed stars at cosmological distances, on the development of new analysis tools, and on the numerical simulation of observational biases in this field.

The doctoral student position is a 4-year appointment, and the candidate will primarily devote the time to their own research studies. Extension, up to a maximum total employment of five years, is possible by including department duties at a level of at most 20%, typically teaching. The position is fully financed and the salary is in accordance with local guidelines at Uppsala University.

Requirements: To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must:

• hold a Master's (second-cycle) degree in astronomy, physics or a related discipline,
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, including at least 120 credits in physics or astronomy, of which at least 30 credits in astronomy,
• have completed at least 60 credits at Master's level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits (1 year full time study corresponds to 60 credits), or
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.

We are looking for candidates with:

• good communication skills as well as good oral and written proficiency in English,
• excellent study results,
• excellent coding skills,
• a high level of creativity and thoroughness,
• a structured approach to problem-solving,
• and an ability to work both independently and in a team.

Additional qualifications: Previous experience of research in astronomy, experience with photometry and/or spectroscopy within astronomy, and experience in programming will be considered a merit. The quality of scholarly writing (project reports, theses, publications) will be given significant weight. Interviews and aptitude tests may be conducted as part of the selection procedure.

About the application: The application must include a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) in which you briefly explain why you are applying for this position and summarize any previous research experience; a curriculum vitae (CV) including contact information for two independent reference persons (email and telephone number); degree certificate and register extract with grades (translated into English or Swedish); examples of your scholarly writing, preferably your master thesis (or draft thereof), publications and other relevant documents. Personal circumstances that may be relevant to the assessment, e.g. parental leave, should be mentioned in the applicant's CV. The application should be written in English. Additional questions in the application form will be used to assess qualifications.

About the employment: The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment: 100 %. Starting date September 1, 2026, or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact: Professor Erik Zackrisson, erik.zackrisson@physics.uu.se

Please submit your application by 30 April 2026, UFV-PA 2026/761.