PhD Scholarship in Helioseismology

Applications are invited for a PhD scholarship in helioseismology at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany. The PhD studies will be conducted within the International Max Planck Research School on Physical Processes in the Solar System and Beyond at the Universities of Braunschweig and Goettingen.

The MPS is a leading institution in the fields of solar physics, helioseismology, and planetary sciences. The Helioseismology Group at MPS is developing an active program of research in preparation for the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) due for launch at the beginning of 2009. Further information is given at http://www.mps.mpg.de/en/ (MPS main web page) and http://www.mps.mpg.de/projects/seismo/ (Helioseismology Group).

The successful candidate is expected to carry out research in the field of helioseismology. Many topics are available, either theoretical (e.g. numerical simulations of seismic waves) or observational (e.g. analysis of data from the SDO satellite).

The IMPRS research school offers a research-oriented three-year graduate program. A prerequisite is a diploma or master's degree in physics or a related field, including a master's thesis. Fluency in the English language is required. Most of their time, the students perform research on their doctoral thesis. In addition, the main curriculum includes three to four weeks per year of courses in astrophysics, solar and heliospheric physics, planets and small bodies, methods of computational physics and data analysis, and instrumental methods. See http://www.linmpi.mpg.de/solar-system-school/.

Applications for this particular PhD scholarship (helioseismology) should include a curriculum vitae, a short statement of interests, and the contact information of two referees. Applications or inquiries should be addressed directly to Dr. Laurent Gizon at gizon@mps.mpg.de, preferably in PDF format.

Screening of applications begins immediately and continues until an excellent candidate is selected. The successful candidate will have to fulfill the formal requirements for admission at the university.