The radio astronomy and astrophysics group is situated at the Onsala Space Observatory, which is the Swedish national facility for Radio Astronomy. The Observatory operates telescopes in Sweden, including a new LOFAR station, shares in the APEX telescope in Chile, and hosts the Nordic ALMA Regional Center (ARC). The research topics of the radio astronomy and astrophysics group range from galaxy formation/evolution, galaxy clusters to Galactic star formation and evolved stars.

The successful candidate will work with Prof John Conway on observational studies of Luminous Infra-Red Galaxies, primarily in the radio and millimetre wavebands. These objects have similar properties to forming galaxies at high red-shift and provide insights into star-formation processes in extreme environments. Observations will seek to understand possible evolutionary relationships to the feeding of super-massive black holes, the universality of the stellar initial mass function and origins of the Far-Infrared to Radio correlation for star-forming galaxies. The student will use data from approved key programmes on the newly commissioned eMERLIN and LOFAR telescopes augmented by ALMA and VLBI observations.

PhD student positions are limited to five years and will normally include 20% departmental work, mostly teaching duties.

A degree in Physics or Astrophysics is highly desirable although candidates from other disciplines (i.e. Electrical or other engineering) who have demonstrated research skills and have an interest in astronomy will be considered. The candidate must have obtained a master's degree, a 4-year bachelor's degree or expect to complete that degree by no later than August 1st, 2011. Good computer skills are an important requirement; weight will also be given to candidates showing research ability in terms of completed or ongoing projects. Excellent knowledge of written as well as spoken English is also a requirement.

In addition to the required documents described below, the application shall include all relevant work such as bachelor's or master's thesis (or outline of a thesis under preparation) together with your letters of recommendation (see item 4 below).

Further information can be obtained from  Professor John Conway: 
E-mail: john dot conway at chalmers dot se Phone: +46-31-772-5503



The website of our research group is http://www.chalmers.se/rss/EN/research/research-groups/radio-astronomy

• SACO: Jan Lindér
• ST: Marie Wenander
• SEKO: Johan Persson

All reachable via Chalmers exchange: +46 31 772 10 00