ESO Studentship Programme Chile 2026/2027

European Southern Observatory; Garching bei München; Vor Ort; EUR 14.000 - 18.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

The European Southern Observatory is inviting PhD students to join its Studentship Programme, offering a 6‑month to 2‑year research opportunity at one of the world’s leading observatories. Supervision comes from the student’s home university and an ESO staff member, with travel to La Silla Paranal observatories as part of the project.

Participants benefit from exposure to cutting‑edge research across fields from exoplanets to cosmology, plus opportunities to network, present, and mentor within

Qualifikationen

• Open to students enrolled in a PhD programme in astronomy or related scientific fields, including observational, theoretical, and fundamental astrophysics.
• Supervision by home university supervisor with co-supervision from an ESO staff astronomer or a team including an ESO staff astronomer and a fellow.
• Students travel to La Silla Paranal observatory to work on observatory operations and small projects.

Aufgaben

• Work on your Studentship project under formal supervision.
• Collaborate with ESO staff and fellows on research across exoplanets to cosmology.
• Engage in outreach and co-organise science events, seminars, and journal clubs.

Kenntnisse

Research skills

Astrophysics knowledge

Ausbildung

PhD in astronomy or related field

Jobbeschreibung

Conduct your PhD research at one of the world’s leading observatories

The European Southern Observatory (ESO) offers an exceptional opportunity for PhD students to conduct research in a dynamic and scientifically rich environment. Our Studentship Programme allows students to work at one of the world's leading observatories for a period of a minimum of 6 months and up to two years.

As the premier intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe, ESO boasts a vibrant community of approximately 110 staff astronomers, 40 fellows, and 40 PhD students. Our researchers are at the forefront of discoveries across a wide range of fields, from exoplanets to cosmology, making ESO one of the most collaborative and stimulating scientific environments globally.

Eligibility and Supervision:

• The ESO Studentship positions are open to students enrolled in a PhD programme in astronomy or related scientific fields, including observational, theoretical, and fundamental astrophysics.
• Students will work on their Studentship project under the formal supervision of their home university supervisor, while being co-supervised by an ESO staff astronomer, or by a team comprising an ESO staff astronomer and a fellow.
• Students are expected to undertake 'Observatory projects' where they will travel to the La Silla Paranal observatory and work under the supervision of a staff or astronomer on a small project to improve observatory operations
• Positions for the ESO Studentships in Vitacura (Santiago, Chile) are hosted at ESO's offices in Santiago (Chile), where positions are also provided for students enrolled in Chilean universities.

Benefits of the Programme:

• ESO students benefit from a collaborative, international, and multidisciplinary environment that encourages innovation and creativity.
• Students are involved in the latest scientific developments and have opportunities to network with top researchers.
• ESO students can also engage in co-organising regular science events such as Journal Clubs, topical coffees, and seminars. Additionally, they may participate in conferences hosted at ESO and mentor master's students in collaboration with ESO fellows or staff astronomers.

Opportunities for Learning and Outreach:

• ESO Chile students have the opportunity to visit the observatories and to get involved in small technical projects that equip them with hands-on skills and give them insights into the observatory operations and instrumentation.
• ESO students also have the possibility to participate in various outreach activities.

Candidates will be notified of the selection results within two months following the deadline. Studentships from the April round typically begin between August of the same year and March of the following year, while those from the October round begin between March and August of the following year.

An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.

The ESO values are:

ESO strives for excellence through innovation.

ESO provides outstanding services to its communities.

ESO fosters diversity & inclusion.

ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.

Achieving the above are recognized as only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes that we expect from our employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear & open communication.

Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for interview.

No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of our Member States, host states and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.