项目介绍

2024年12月21日

The Centre for mathematical Plasma Astrophysics (CmPA) at the Department of Mathematics of KU Leuven (Belgium) is a dynamic, diverse, and international welcoming environment pursuing a broad variety of research topics concerning space plasmas. We offer a 4-year PhD position with a focus on numerical simulations of plasmas in astrophysics, employing state-of-the-art simulation codes on supercomputers. The precise scientific goals are flexible and can be agreed upon based on the candidate’s interests, but there is ample ground for diverse applications to astroplasmas in relativistic environments (e.g., surroundings of compact objects, supernovae, etc.). Applications are accepted until the end of March 2025, but selection will continue until a suitable candidate is found.

Website van de eenheid

Project

The CmPA of KU Leuven offers one PhD position. The selected candidate will join the group of prof. Fabio Bacchini. During a 4-year period, they will perform numerical simulations of astrophysical plasmas with modern computer codes run on massively parallel computing facilities. They will conduct simulation campaigns, analyze results, and extract physical insight on topics of prime interest in modern astroplasma research such as (but not limited to) magnetic reconnection, plasma turbulence, shocks, and particle acceleration in relativistic astrophysical environments. These studies will be complemented with analytic calculations and comparison with observations wherever possible.

Profile

PhD applicants must hold an M.Sc. degree in physics, astrophysics, mathematics, engineering, or a closely related subject. The degree must be dated at the latest one month before the position can be taken up. This PhD position gives preference (but is not limited) to Dutch-speaking candidates. Expertise in plasma dynamics, astrophysics, numerical methods, and/or scientific computing is an asset but not a requirement. Funding for the full PhD (4 years) is guaranteed, but the selected candidate will be encouraged to later submit a proposal for an FWO PhD Fellowship application (https://www.fwo.be/en/fellowships-funding/phd-fellowships/phd-fellowship-fundamental-research) as a possibility to acquire additional funding and gain valuable grant-application writing skills.

Offer

The selected PhD students will be offered a 2-year contract, once renewable with 2 more years after positive evaluation. The salary will be commensurate to the standard scale for PhD students in Belgium; it includes social and medical insurance as well as pension rights. The foreseen starting date is October 1st 2025 but can be negotiated.

The successful PhD applicants will have to register at, and comply with, the regulations of the KU Leuven’s Arenberg Doctoral School before final acceptance. Good knowledge of the English language is a requirement to be approved by the doctoral school. The successful PhD applicant will follow a doctoral programme including personal training in management, science communication, and teaching. As part of the doctoral requirements, the student will have to take up a teaching task of on average 4 hours per week in one of the Bachelor (in Dutch) or Master (in English) programmes.

Interested?

The application will require:

– A curriculum vitae;

– A list of all master courses with corresponding ECTS and individual scores obtained;

– A statement of research interests or research proposal (free format, max 3 pages plus references);

– Up to 3 letters of reference to be directly sent by the reference person(s) to fabio.bacchini@kuleuven.be

For more information please contact Prof. Dr. Fabio Bacchini, mail: fabio.bacchini@kuleuven.beYou can apply for this job no later than March 31, 2025 via the online application tool

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

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