PhD fellowship in Particle Astrophysics

The Niels Bohr Institute invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in Particle Astrophysics and Multimessenger Astrophysics. The project is part of the ERC research project “ANET,” which is financed by the European Research Council.

Start date is (expected to be) 01.10.2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project
This project aims at solving one of the most urgent riddles in multi messenger astrophysics: how neutrinos affect the physics of the death of massive stars as core-collapse supernova explosions and the merger of two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole. Neutrinos are feebly interacting particles copiously produced in these dense sources. Neutrinos exist in three different kinds, or flavors, and have the fascinating property of changing their flavor while propagating (flavor conversion). Because of the high density of neutrinos in the core of supernovae or compact binary mergers, flavor conversion becomes a non-linear phenomenon, whose understanding is quite preliminary. Numerical simulations buttressed by analytic diagnostic methods will be employed to radically advance our understanding within a multi-messenger framework. This project will have implications on fundamental physics, the origin of the heavy elements, as well as our comprehension of  the behavior of matter at extreme densities and the physics of  neutrino-dense sources.

Who are we looking for?
Highly motivated, outstanding candidates with joint expertise in neutrino astrophysics and phenomenology, quantum field theory, quantum mechanics, and particle physics are encouraged to apply. 

Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The AstroNu group is a part of the  Niels Bohr Institute, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. The AstroNu group is based at the Niels Bohr International Academy and DARK, Niels Bohr Institute. The Niels Bohr International Academy is committed to fostering the traditions of internationalism, interdisciplinarity and excellence in physics, which characterize the Niels Bohr Institute. It functions as a primary center for fundamental research including particle and astroparticle physics, astrophysics and gravity, condensed matter physics, quantum optics, and biophysics. Areas of research of DARK include, but are not limited to:  astrophysical transients, particle astrophysics, high-redshift galaxies, dark matter and dark energy, black holes, and cosmic dust. 

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. The AstroNu group is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to facilitate progress of underrepresented groups in higher education careers. Our group has exclusive access to some of the largest dedicated astrophysics computing resources in Scandinavia, including a general-purpose high-performance computing cluster.

Principal supervisor is is Professor, Irene Tamborra, Niels Bohr Institute, tamborra@nbi.ku.dk, Direct Phone: + 4535333227.

The PhD programme  
A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree. 

Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. High Energy Physics or Astroparticle Physics. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database. 

Terms of employment in the regular programme 
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years. 

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant. 
Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 30,800 DKK/approx. 4,100 EUR (April 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1% to your pension fund    

The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure. 

Responsibilities and tasks in both PhD programmes

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications and research experience
• MSc degree in Physics or High Energy Physics with outstanding results 
• Curious and creative mind-set with research experience in Theoretical Neutrino Astrophysics
• Excellent English skills

Application and Assessment Procedure
 Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below. 

Please include:  

1. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position 
2. Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. 
3. Publication list (if possible)

Application deadline: 
The deadline for applications is 7 May 2025, 23:59 GMT+2 

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the above mentioned requirements.

The further process 
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment. 
The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/. 

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held a few weeks after the application deadline.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.