PhD student in stellar/Galactic astrophysics Full-time NEW

PhD Student In Stellar/Galactic Astrophysics

Uppsala University, Department of Physics and Astronomy is seeking a PhD student in astrophysics, with focus on stellar chemical compositions and Galactic evolution in the framework of the ESA Gaia and ESO 4MOST Galactic surveys.

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 on 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 astrophysics to conduct research in connection with the ESA Gaia space mission with its astrometric, photometric and spectroscopic data as well as with the ESO 4MOST survey facility collecting millions of stellar spectra starting in 2026. The PhD student will work with Drs. Andreas Korn and Ulrike Heiter, Gaia researchers at Uppsala University.

Duties: The successful candidate will become a member of the Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium and will use Gaia Data Release 4 (DR4) data for scientific projects and help to prepare Gaia DR5, Gaia's final catalogue (to be published in 2030), in particular astrophysical parameters derived by Coordination Unit 8. Gaia data will also be combined with high-resolution spectra and results from 4MOST's surveys, at least one of S2 (Galactic halo), S4 (Galactic disk and bulge) and S13 (Stellar clusters).

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, or have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, including at least 120 credits in physics or astronomy, and 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 a strong interest to pursue research in stellar and/or Galactic survey astrophysics, good communication skills as well as good oral and written proficiency in English, excellent study results, 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 and/or study in astronomy, experience with astronomical spectroscopy, and programming/data analysis skills will be considered a merit. The quality of scholarly writing (project reports, theses, publications) will be given significant weight.

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. Interviews and aptitude tests may be conducted as part of the selection procedure.

About the employment: The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment: 100 %. Starting date: 2026-09-01 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact: Dr. Andreas Korn, +46 18 471 5991, andreas.korn@physics.uu.se or Dr. Ulrike Heiter, +46 18 471 5982, ulrike.heiter@physics.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 5 May 2026, UFV – PA 2026/923.