项目介绍
We are advertising 2 x fully-funded PhD scholarships to join the new research team StarHearts of Prof. Eva Laplace at the Institute of Astronomy, KU Leuven, Belgium, funded by an FWO Odysseus grant. Selected candidates will collaborate closely with other teams at the KU Leuven, with a broad massive-star research community, and with the Leuven Gravity Institute. We actively support equal opportunities and diversity and highly encourage underrepresented groups to apply.
The Host Institute
The Institute of Astronomy (IoA) is part of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at KU Leuven. We are a vibrant research unit of some 80 scientists, engineers, and administrative staff (fys.kuleuven.be/ster), including 7 full-time and 3 part-time professors. The institute is an center of excellence in stellar physics and is active in several international consortia and collaborations. All members of the IoA have access to parallel and supercomputing facilities. The IoA is further responsible for the organisation of the 2-year Master programme in Astronomy & Astrophysics of the Faculty of Science and operates the 1.2m Mercator telescope at Roque de los Muchachos, La Palma Observatory, Canary Islands.
Project
When stars end their lives, their hearts continue to exist in a different, exotic form, known as a compact remnant: black holes, neutron stars, or white dwarfs. Understanding the exact origin of these objects is one of the most pressing scientific questions in astrophysics at this time. With the discovery of gravitational waves (GWs), we have a new way to study these extreme objects. To make breakthroughs in understanding the properties of stellar remnants and the GWs they generate, it is crucial to study the binary stellar hearts and the core-collapse process that form them. PhD project 1 – Investigating the Explosion and Implosion Signatures of Binary StarsThe aim of this PhD project is to characterize the observable explosion and implosion signatures of stars that have interacted in a binary star system. You will become an expert in predicting the observable supernova explosion properties (e.g. the light curves and spectra) of these stars analytically and through numerical methods, based on binary stellar evolution models. You will also investigate potential observable signatures of binary evolution products that do not explode successfully in a supernova, and form black holes instead. These theoretical predictions will be directly comparable to the latest observations of supernovae and other transients of unclear origin, for example from the next-generation Vera Rubin Observatory. The ultimate goal of this project is to develop theoretical models to interpret the observations of explosive transients (in particular stripped-envelope supernovae) and connect these back to the properties of the stellar hearts that generate them. PhD Project 2 – Characterising the Heartbeats of Binary Evolution ProductsThe hearts of stars that interact in binary systems are expected to be systematically different from those of single stars. In particular, binary stars grow cores of different masses and different chemical composition, and have different interior mixing and rotation behaviors. Therefore the observable oscillations – or “heartbeats” – of such stars, from internal pressure and gravity waves, are expected to be systematically different. You will become an expert in predicting the pulsation characteristics of such binary products with numerical methods, e.g. the codes MESA and GYRE. These models will be directly comparable to existing TESS and KEPLER observations and be applicable to the upcoming PLATO mission. The ultimate aim of this project will be to characterize the observable asteroseismic signals of binary evolution products and to obtain observational constraints on the physical properties of the hearts of stars that form gravitational-wave sources.
Profile
PhD applicants should hold a MSc degree in astrophysics, physics, and/or mathematics, or else have obtained an equivalent diploma by the time the PhD project starts. Proficiency in English (written and oral) is required. Interests and knowledge in stellar astrophysics, and/or computational (astro)physics are strong assets. The ideal applicants are committed and curious, have strong problem-solving skills, are proficient in programming, can integrate and work in a research team, and are eager to work at the forefront of scientific research and to develop their physical intuition.
Additionally for Project 1 – Investigating the Explosion and Implosion Signatures of Binary Stars:Experience with stellar explosion codes, spectral synthesis codes, the MESA stellar evolution code, or (magneto/radiation)hydrodynamics simulations are strong assets for this position but not requirements.
Additionally for Project 2 – Characterising the Heartbeats of Binary Evolution Products:Knowledge of asteroseismology, experience with the MESA stellar evolution code, and the GYRE stellar oscillations code are a very strong assets for this position.
Offer
The preferred start date for PhD Project 1 will be 1 April 2026. For PhD Project 2 this will be 1 September 2026. A later start date in 2026 can also be negotiated.
The successful PhD applicants will register at the Arenberg Doctoral School of KU Leuven and follow a doctoral programme including personal training in management, science communication, and teaching. As part of the doctoral requirements, the candidates will spend up to 20% of their time on other duties, such as teaching and supervision in one of the Bachelor (in Dutch) or Master (in English) programmes and performing Mercator observing runs of ten nights for the pooled IoA long-term monitoring programmes.
The selected PhD candidates will be offered a 1-year bursary contract, renewable for up to 4 years more years after a positive evaluation. The tax-free bursary amount will be equal to the net salary of a research assistant (salary scale 43) and will be calculated upon joining KU Leuven.
In addition, you will receive a generous package of pay and non-pay benefits, including a holiday bonus, end-of-year bonus, generous holiday allowance, free hospital insurance, subsidised childcare, free public transport when commuting, a bicycle allowance, staff discount scheme, access to our sports and cultural facilities at special rates, etc…
Interested?
The application package should include:(i) a curriculum vitae, with a publication list if relevant. On the last page, it should include the names and email addresses of two reference persons (references letters are NOT required at this stage; these will only be asked for the short-listed candidates);(ii) a statement of interest explaining the motivation of the candidate for pursuing a PhD, the specific research interests of the candidate, and how these relate to past research experiences, the specific PhD position, and future goals (max. 1 page). The first sentence should clearly state which of the two PhD positions the applicant is applying for.(iii) a summary of the research experience (max. 2 pages, excluding references);(iv) a transcript of all university courses taken and grades obtained to date.
The shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview between the end of January and mid-February.
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Eva Laplace, mail: eva.laplace@kuleuven.beYou can apply for this job no later than December 16, 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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联系方式
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