A PhD position at KU Leuven on the topic of scientific exploitation of the Mercator Telescope

The Institute of Astronomy (IoA) of KU Leuven in Belgium consists of a young and vibrant research group of some 90 scientists, engineers, and administrative staff, including 6 full-time and 3 part-time professors. The institute is an expertise centre in stellar and planetary physics and is active in several international consortia and collaborations, involving telescopes at observatories worldwide and in space. Members of IoA have access to parallel computing facilities at Leuven University. The IoA is responsible for the organisation of the 2-year Master in Astronomy & Astrophysics and Advanced Master of Space Studies of the Faculty of Science and operates the 1.2m Mercator telescope at Roque de los Muchachos, La Palma Observatory, Canary Islands. The institute has a long tradition in instrumental, observational, and theoretical studies of stellar evolution.
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Project

The vacancy:

The candidate will work with a combined ground-based spectroscopic (HERMES@Mercator) and space-based photometric (Kepler, TESS) data set of some 250 intermediate- to high-mass (≳1.2 M☉) binary stars to precisely (<3-5%) measure their dynamical, evolutionary, and spectroscopic masses. These measurements will be used to answer the following questions: 1) is the mass discrepancy increasing with mass, or with evolutionary stage as previously suggested based on small samples? (or both?); 2) does orbital separation play a role? If so, can the mass discrepancy in short period systems be explained by binarity effects, such as tidal deformation or prior mass-transfer?; 3) is the mass discrepancy rather correlated with rotation (pointing towards issue with the rotation mixing prescription)? Ultimately, the Project will feature a proposal for recalibration of stellar structure and evolution models that suppress or minimize the mass discrepancy.

Profile

Applicants with a Master degree or an equivalent in astrophysics or physics are eligible for the position. High proficiency in English is mandatory. Prior knowledge in stellar spectroscopy and modelling tools for binary stars is an asset, as is the knowledge of a programming language.

The application package should contain:

• a 1-page cover letter, indicating a motivational statement;
• a 2-page of the master thesis research;
• a curriculum vitae, with a full publication list;
• the names and contact details of two references who are prepared to send confidential recommendation letters should they be requested to do so.

Members of minorities and underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Offer

Salaries will be commensurate with the standard scales at the host institutes. Salaries include social and medical/dental insurance, opportunities for parental leave, and retirement contributions.

The short-listed applicants will be invited for an online interview in the week of June 10th 2024. Decisions will be communicated by June 17th 2024, followed by a 1-week term to decide on acceptance or rejection of the offered position. The starting date for the positions is between September 1st 2024 and November 1st 2024.

• Application Deadline: May 27th 2024

• Selection Deadline: June 17th 2024

Interested?

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