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PhD position in astronomical instrumentation

  • //applyindex.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/belgium.png Belgium
  • University/Institute Name KU Leuven
  • Attendance Type On Campus (Full Time)
  • Position Funding Type Research Assistantship (RA)
  • Application deadlineSeptember 20, 2025
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Position Details (PhD Research Project)

The Institute of Astronomy (IoA) of KU Leuven University in Belgium is a young and vibrant research group of some 90 scientists, engineers, and administrative staff, including 7 full-time and 3 part-time professors. The institute is an expertise center in stellar physics and astronomical instrumentation, 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 the Flemish Supercomputer Centre. The IoA is responsible for the organisation of the Master of Astronomy & Astrophysics and the Advanced Master of Space Studies of the Faculty of Science, and it operates the 1.2m Mercator Telescope at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain).
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Project

Currently, the IoA is developping and building two high-resolution echelle spectrographs:

  • MARVEL is an instrument optimised for high-precision radial-velocity measurements for the detection and mass determination of exoplanets. It will be installed in the course of 2026 at the Mercator observatory on La Palma.
  • Cubespec is an ESA in-orbit demonstration mission that will use high-resolution spectroscopy from a 12U CubeSat platform for carrying out asteroseismology on massive stars. The spacecraft  launch is scheduled around the end of 2026.
These are very different instruments but they have a similar design and share the same type of challenges and problems to solve.

In this PhD project, you will work on the characterisation of both spectrographs in the lab, and their commissioning at the observatory for MARVEL or in orbit after launch for CubeSpec. Furthermore, you will also be involved in preceding design, integration an alignment activities. There is room to tune the content of the project to your previous education and/or specific profile. Some affinity with or experience in any of the following topics is valuable: optics (lab work, design), mechanics (e.g. CAD software), software (e.g. Python scripting), astronomical/spectroscopic data reduction and calibration, electronics (e.g. image sensors), …

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PhD applicants should hold a MSc degree in astrophysics, physics, or engineering, or have obtained an equivalent diploma. Proficiency in English is required. Apart of the assets mentioned in the previous paragraph, the ideal applicant is committed and curious, has strong problem-solving skills and a hands-on approach, can integrate and work in a team, and is eager to develop and deepen new skills and insights.

Offer

The selected PhD student will be offered a 1-year contract, extensible to 4 years after positive evaluation (project fully funded for this period). The salary will be commensurate to the standard scale for PhD students in Belgium; it includes social and medical insurance as well as pension rights. Working hours are flexible and the opportunity for partial teleworking is offered. Refunds of commuting expenses when using public transport or bicycle are included. The KU Leuven offers access to childcare. The starting date is negotiable, but we prefer as soon as possible.
The successful PhD applicant will have to register at, and comply with, the regulations of KU Leuven’s Arenberg Doctoral School before final acceptance. The student will follow a doctoral programme including personal training in management, science communication, and teaching. As part of the doctoral requirements, the student will also have to take up a teaching task of at maximum 4 hours per week in one of the Bachelor (in Dutch) or Master (in English) programmes. PhD students at the IoA are also required to perform at least two Mercator observing runs of 10 nights during their PhD for the pooled IoA long-term monitoring programmes.
Your application should be received by September 21st, 2025, via the KU Leuven online application tool.
The application package should include:

  • a cover letter, indicating a motivational statement (max. 1 page);
  • a summary of the master thesis research and previous research experience if relevant (max. 2 pages);
  • a curriculum vitae, with a publication list if relevant;
  • 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 under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Interested?

For questions on the position: please contact Dr. Gert Raskin ([email protected]) or Dr. Bart Vandenbussche ([email protected]). 
For questions on the application process: please contact Rose Stanley ([email protected]).

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

Research Areas & Fields of Study involved in the position

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