Leiden Observatory has available a Ph.D. position in astronomy. Starting date is preferably as soon as possible, but any candidate who can start in the period from late 2005 to early 2006 will be considered. The succesful applicant will work at Leiden Observatory under the supervision of Dr. Paul van der Werf for a period of 4 years, after which a Ph.D. Thesis shall be defended.
Starburst
galaxies are unique laboratories. Starburst episodes are phases in
the evolution of galaxies that are by definition transient, and during
which galaxies evolve very rapidly, converting a significant fraction of
their gas reservoirs into stars. It is now clear that starbursts are
important in the context of galaxy formation and evolution; indeed, the
recently discovered population of distant
submillimetre galaxies, which
plays a dominant role in the cosmic energy production at high redshift,
has its local analogues in the socalled
Ultraluminous
Infrared Galaxies (ULIGs), which are the most spectacular starburst
galaxies in the low-redshift universe.
Since star formation occurs
in dusty molecular clouds, starburst galaxies are obscured, and
near-infrared and mid-infrared observations are required to probe these
systems. Such observations are now possible with unprecedented quality
with new instrumentation on the ESO VLT, notably the near-infrared
integral field spectrograph
SINFONI. The
present project aims at studying the extreme star formation properties
of starburst and ultraluminous infrared galaxies in detail, using this
instrument (part of the observations will be carried out in Dutch
guaranteed time). Detailed modeling of the results using stellar
libraries and photoionization codes will form an integral part of the
project. It is expected that this project will provide fundamental new
results on issues such as the nature of superstarclusters (are they
forming globular clusters?), the relative importance of clustered and
diffuse starformation in different environments, the universality of
stellar Initial Mass Functin in various environments, the nature of
extreme star formation in ULIGs, the nature of circumnuclear rings in
barred starbursts, the relation between circumnuclear starbursts and
AGNs, and the spatial and temporal
evolution of starbursts in general. The results will be
relevant not only for the rapid evolution of individual galaxies during
a starburst episode, but will have implications for the evolution of the
stellar population in general, in particular where the buildup of the
stellar population is concerned.
Leiden Observatory is the oldest academic astronomy department in the world, with an impressive history of astronomical achievements, dominated by famous astronomers such as De Sitter, Hertzsprung, Oort and Van der Hulst. Leiden is a pleasant university town, situated in the heart of the Netherlands with excellent connections to the rest of Europe. Leiden Observatory offers a stimulating work environment with considerable expertise in observational and theoretical astronomy. The observatory employs about 18 full-time faculty members, about 25 postdocs and about 30 Ph.D. students, from many different countries. Research at the observatory focusses on: (i) studies of nearby galaxies; (ii) properties of high redshift galaxies; (iii) formation of stars and planets; (iv) astronomical instrumentation, in particular integral field spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, adaptive optics and interferometry.
Applications for this position, which is available immediately and which we aim to fill before the end of 2005, must be directed to Paul van der Werf, who may also be contacted for further information about the position. Applications should be either in English or in Dutch and can be submitted until the position is filled. They must include (1) a detailed description, including grades, of courses and other education completed so far; (2) a detailed summary of MSc. research (preferably with a copy of the MSc. thesis, if available); (3) a brief description as to why the candidate considers him/herself suited for this position; (4) the names and addresses (including email addresses) of at least one (but preferably two) scientists who are familiar with the candidate's achievements and who may be contacted for further information.
Dr. Paul P. van der Werf
Leiden Observatory
P.O. Box 9513
NL - 2300 RA Leiden
The Netherlands
Tel +31 71 5275883
Fax +31 71 5275743