Stockholm University Scholarship 2011 in Astrobiology, Sweden

The Department of Astronomy  announces the availability of a fully funded, 4-year PhD student position in Astrobiology. The students will join the newly founded interdisciplinary Stockholm University Astrobiology Centre which is a virtual centre involving the Departments of  Astronomy, Physics, Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics and Geological Sciences.

The Department of Astronomy consists of about 10 professors, 12 researchers and 25 PhD students, with a wide variety of nationalities. Research areas stretch from the Sun to the distant Universe.

Project
The research project will be in the area of Star Formation and Exoplanets, where one astrobiologically relevant project will explore the possibilities to detect life at astronomical distances by so called biomarkers. One challenge is to find biomarkers, which are sensitive to a wide range of organisms but also exclude known abiotic processes. Another task is to find methods, which are capable of detecting biomarker at long distances.

The project requires the ability to work independently in addition to collaborative skills and creative thinking. Since the project is part of international collaborations good oral and written communication skills in English are required. Furthermore, since the student is expected to participate in the activities of the Stockholm University Astrobiology Centre, the ability to communicate over the boundaries of one’s own discipline is required.

Terms of employment
The 4 year PhD position is financed initially with a study grant ('utbildingsbidrag') followed by a salaried position ('doktorandanställning'). It may be possible to extend the positions up to 5 years by taking 20 % institutional duties.

The position is open to all nationalities who at the start of the position have the equivalent of a Masters degree in astronomy or physics. The starting date for the position is flexible but no later than November 1, 2011.

Union representatives are Bo Ekengren (SACO), Lisbeth Häggberg (Fackförbundet ST), telephone +46-(0)8-16 2000 (switch board), and Gunnar Stenberg (SEKO), telephone +46-(0)70-316 43 41.

For further information, please contact Dr. Alexis Brandeker, telephone +46-(0)8-5537 8539, e-mail alexis@astro.su.se.

General information about PhD studies can be obtained from the director of graduate studies, Professor Garrelt Mellema, telephone +46-(0)8-5537 8552, e-mail garrelt@astro.su.se.

Applications should include
• an application form (can be downloaded at http://astrobiology.physto.se),
• acopy of the certificate of your undergraduate studies,
• a list of courses attended and grades achieved (Swedish students should send their “Examensbevis”),
• a curriculum vitae including a list of publications (if applicable) and
• a short letter of motivation.

Source: http://www.su.se/english/about/vacancies/phd-studies/phd-student-position-in-astrobiology-1.12989