PhD researcher (all genders welcome)

At the University of Göttingen -Public Law Foundation-, Institut für Astrophysik und Geophysik, there is a position as

to be filled. Starting date is 12/1/2026. The position is limited to 3 years.

The part-time position (60%, currently 23.88 hours/week) is intended for a duration of three years at the salary level

TV-L E13.

The starting date is flexible after 1 December 2026. The position is fully funded by zukunft.niedersachsen, the joint science funding program of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation.

The successful applicant will contribute to an improved measurement of the Hubble constant by studying populations of evolved variable stars. The focus will be on statistical stellar standard candles, e.g., the Tip of the Red Giant Branch and J-region AGB methods, with the aim of improving absolute calibrations and the quantification of systematic uncertainties. Access to data from the 4-metre multi-object spectroscopic telescope (4MOST) will be provided, and contributions to the 4MOST project are expected. Data from the ESA Gaia mission and other public datasets (e.g., Roman, Rubin/LSST, OGLE) will complement the analysis. Targeted follow-up observations from the ground or space will be encouraged, e.g., using ESO’s facilities, Hubble and James Webb Space Telescope, or other observatories to which the Institute has access (Euler, MONET, HET). Contributions to the VELOcities of CEpheids (VELOCE) project and the Wide-field Spectroscopic Telescope (WST) are also possible.

Your profile

• Master’s or equivalent degree in physics, astronomy/astrophysics for admission to the doctoral program (degree completion required by starting date)
• Experience in coding and data analysis
• Experience in stellar astrophysics, especially variable and/or evolved stars, is an asset
• Experience in spectroscopic and/or photometric data analysis is an asset
• Experience with time-series and/or large data sets is an asset
• Willingness to travel (inter-)nationally and to conduct astronomical observations
• Collaborative attitude, communicative, and problem-solver mindset
• Very good command of the English language

What we offer

• A dynamic research atmosphere at the intersection between stellar astronomy and observational cosmology
• Personalized supervision and disciplinary training
• Fully funded PhD position, including funds for travel and publications
• An interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment with expertise spanning from the Solar system to the Early Universe
• Access to state-of-the-art observational infrastructure
• Comprehensive benefits package according to TV-L
• A strong commitment to diversity, equality, and mutual respect

The position is based in Göttingen, a charming university city at the heart of Germany.

Note concerning generative AI

: Please help us understand who YOU are by refraining from using generative AI, e.g., Claude or ChatGPT, to prepare your documents. Please also include short end notes in your motivation letter and research statement explaining whether and how AI was used.

Please submit your application as a single pdf containing a motivation letter, statement of research experience and interests (max. 3 pages), curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages), university degrees, transcript of records, and contact details of up to three referees electronically via the application portal of the university using this link:

For general information, please contact the Institute’s secretariat:

sekr@astro.uni-goettingen.de

For specific questions about the position, please contact

richard.anderson@uni-goettingen.de

The University of Göttingen is an equal opportunities employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career opportunities for women. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply in fields in which they are underrepresented. The university has committed itself to being a family-friendly institution and supports their employees in balancing work and family life. The University is particularly committed to the professional participation of severely disabled employees and therefore welcomes applications from severely disabled people. In the case of equal qualifications, applications from people with severe disabilities will be given preference. A disability or equality is to be included in the application in order to protect the interests of the applicant.

Please upload your application in one pdf file including the usual documents until 10/2/2026 on the application portal of the university using this link:

http://obp.uni-goettingen.de/de-de/OBF/Index/76679

. For more information get in touch with Alexandra Lüttich directly via E-Mail: aluetti@gwdg.de, Tel. +49 551 39 27452 .

Please note:

With submission of your application, you accept the processing of your applicant data in terms of data-protection law. Further information on the legal basis and data usage is provided in the

Information General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)