We are offering a PhD fellowship in Planet Formation commencing 1 September 2022, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Our group and research
The research group of Michiel Lambrechts focuses on understanding the origin of our Solar System and the formation of exoplanetary systems. Using numerical simulations, we explore the evolution of protoplanetary discs and their dust component, planetesimal formation, the growth of the protoplanets through pebble accretion, and the attraction of early gaseous envelopes around planetary cores.
The group is part of the StarPlan section at the GLOBE Institute of the University of Copenhagen (https://globe.ku.dk/research/starplan/). The broader StarPlan environment at the University of Copenhagen includes also researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute. StarPlan focuses on understanding the formation of planets by studying meteorites (Martin Bizzarro, Jim Connelly, Martin Schiller, Elishevah van Kooten, Zhengbin Deng), by developing planet formation theory and simulations (Anders Johansen, Michiel Lambrechts), by star formation theory and simulations (Troels Haugbølle, Åke Nordlund), by observations of star formation and protoplanetary discs (Jes Jørgensen), by studying the origin and evolution of dust (Anja Andersen) and by studying exoplanets and their atmospheres (Uffe Graae Jørgensen). We are physically located at the Natural History Museum of Denmark in the center of Copenhagen.
Project description
With the new EXODOSS project (funded by an ERC starting grant, PI: Michiel Lambrechts), we aim to revisit how Earth-like planets form, around our sun and other stars. This topic will be explored in the context of our modern understanding of (1) disc-wind-driven protoplanetary disc evolution (2) the role of pebble accretion and planetary migration on embryos in N-body simulations and (3) the effect of young embedded envelopes on the growth and composition of protoplanets.
The prospective candidate will concentrate especially on the strong link between protoplanetary disc evolution and planet formation. The goal will be to incorporate state-of-the-art and observationally-supported theoretical models of protoplanetary disc evolution in planet formation models. This will require developing numerical models, as well as making use, and building on, state-of-the-art hydrodynamic and N-body simulation programs.
More information can be found at https://michiellambrechts.bitbucket.io/
Principal supervisor is Dr. Michiel Lambrechts (StarPlan, GLOBE), email: michiel.lambrechts@sund.ku.dk
Start 1 September 2022
Duration 3 years as a PhD student
Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:
- Carry through an independent research project under supervision
- Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS points
- Participate in active research environments including a stay at another research team
- Obtain experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
- Teach and disseminate your knowledge
- Write scientific papers
- Write and defend a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project
Key criteria for the assessment of applicants
Applicants must have qualifications corresponding to a master’s degree related to the subject area of the project e.g. in Astrophysics, Physics or Planetary Science.
Other important criteria are
- The grade point average achieved
- Experience in computational astrophysics or computational physics
- Previous publications or thesis work relevant to planet formation, protoplanetary discs, exoplanets or the planets of the Solar System
- Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
- Good collaboration and communication skills
- Language skills: proficiency in written and spoken English
As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science.
Place of employment
The place of employment is at the GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include access to supercomputing resources.
Terms of employment
- The employment as PhD fellow is full time and for 3 years.
- It is conditioned upon the applicant’s successful enrollment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.
- The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty’s rules on achieving the degree. Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary begins around 27,871 DKK (Oct. 2021-level), plus pension.
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.
General information about PhD study at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/
Application procedure
Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’.
The application must include the following documents in PDF format:
1. Cover letter detailing your motivation and background for applying (max. one page)
2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Publication list (if possible)
4. Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other 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.
Application deadline: 22 April 2022, 23.59pm CET
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 the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.
- The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.
- Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.
- You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/
- The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
- Interviews are expected to be held in week 20 (week of 15 may)
The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 7500 students, 1500 PhD students and 3200 employees. The Faculty advances the field of health sciences through its core activities: research, teaching, knowledge sharing and communication. With basic research fields ranging from molecular studies to studies of society, the Faculty contributes to a healthy future through its graduates, research findings and inventions benefitting patients and the community. University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.
Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.
