ESO Summer Research Programme 2026 – Project D

Big Science Sweden; München; Vor Ort; EUR 8.928 - 13.392; Teilzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Valuable research experience

Insight into advanced data analysis techniques

Zusammenfassung

An international research organization in Munich invites university students for their Summer Research Programme focusing on planet formation. Students from STEM fields are encouraged to apply, especially those with knowledge of physics, programming, and astronomy. Participants will analyze ALMA data related to protoplanetary disks, gaining valuable insights into the conditions for planet formation. This is a unique opportunity before entering into a PhD programme.

Qualifikationen

• University students who have not yet started a PhD programme are eligible.
• Must have undertaken coursework in astronomy, physical science, computer science, or mathematics.

Aufgaben

• Analyze data from the exoALMA Large Program.
• Investigate the width of dust rings in protoplanetary disks.
• Gain insights into planet formation and high-angular-resolution ALMA data analysis.

Kenntnisse

Knowledge of physics

Programming skills

Data analysis techniques

Knowledge of astronomy

Ausbildung

Completed at least two years of degree in STEM

Jobbeschreibung

Datum: 31 januari, 2026 Tid: 11:59

Placering: ESO

Mer information

Within the Directorate for Science at its Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany, ESO is inviting university students to apply to our ESO Summer Research Programme. The ESO Summer Research Programme is an opportunity for university students from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields who have not yet started a PhD programme and have completed at least two years of their degree.

Applications for the ESO Summer Research Programme will be considered from students taking any astronomy, physical science, computer science or mathematical degree subjects. However, it is expected that students have some knowledge of physics, programming, data analysis techniques and, preferably, astronomy.

Students will be selected for the programme based on their academic achievements, research potential and likelihood to significantly benefit from the experience. Particular attention will be given to the motivation of the students to join the programme and specific motivation for Project D:

Project D: A turbulent youth: Investigating the conditions of planetary birthplaces

During their formation, baby stars are surrounded by a circumstellar disk composed of molecular gas and dust. From the material within these protoplanetary disks, planets eventually form. Observations made with the ALMA Observatory reveal that the millimeter dust emission of these disks exhibits a variety of substructures, most commonly observed are gaps and rings. These structures are believed to arise from variations in the gas pressure within the disk. Dust rings are prime places for the formation of planetary cores.

In this project, we will analyze the unprecedented data from the exoALMA Large Program to investigate the width of the rings seen in dust emission in relation to the widths of the underlying gas pressure, as traced via the CO molecular line emission. By comparing these measurements, we aim to assess the level of turbulent motion within these rings. This analysis will offer insights into the physical mechanisms that form these dust rings and their potential to form protoplanets.

During the summer research program, the student will gain valuable insights into the field of planet formation and will learn how to analyze high-angular-resolution ALMA data.