Overview
We invite applications from outstanding and highly motivated students for PhD positions in Astrophysics. The successful applicant will work with Prof Boris Gaensicke within the Astronomy and Astrophysics group in the Department of Physics at the University of Warwick.
Within your PhD, you will become involved in the new and rapidly growing research area of planets and planetary remnants around white dwarfs, identifying relatively rare white dwarfs with dust and gas discs, as well as transiting planets and planetesimals from large astronomical surveys. We are leading spectroscopic surveys of white dwarfs within DESI, WEAVE, and SDSS-V. Combined, these three surveys obtain spectroscopy of over 100 white dwarfs per night - of which, on average, one should be suitable for detailed bulk composition studies. You will have the opportunity to study in detail the disruption of planetesimals, and the formation and evolution of debris discs using observations of individual stars obtained with the Very Large Telescope and ultraviolet spectroscopy from the Hubble Space Telescope. You will learn about the physical processes within white dwarf atmospheres, as well as the fundamental concepts of cosmo-chemistry. This PhD project will contribute to our overall understanding of the formation of planets, by establishing detailed statistical information of the compositions of their building blocks and fragments.
Warwick is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in research. Our group is involved in many major ground and space-based projects, including the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, ESA's CHEOPS satellite and upcoming PLATO mission, the Next Generation Transit Survey (NGTS), and the Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO).
Both the Physics Department and the University of Warwick hold Athena SWAN Silver awards, a national initiative to promote gender equality for all staff and students. Our Astronomy & Astrophysics group also hosts monthly equitea forums to break down barriers faced by all under-represented groups in science. We strongly value equity, diversity and inclusion, and encourage applications from all under-represented groups.
More details on PhD positions with the Astronomy and Astrophysics group at Warwick are available here.
Start Date: October 2022
Funding Duration: 4 years (ERC)
Applications due by: 14 January 2022
Eligibility
You must have or expect a First or Upper second class MSci, MPhys or equivalent degree in Physics or a closely related discipline. Holders of BSc honours degrees are eligible but successful BSc applicants typically have substantial additional research experience.
For students whose first language is not English, we normally require a score of 6.5 in IELTS or equivalent. If your previous degree was taught in an English-speaking country this requirement may be waived.
How To Apply
You must apply through the University’s online application system and follow the instructions. Use course code P-F3P0. Make sure to state an interest in the Astronomy and Astrophysics group. We encourage applicants to express interest in more than one available PhD project.
Continue with Facebook
