PhD position on kinetic simulations of heliospheric plasmas

The Centre for mathematical Plasma Astrophysics (CmPA) at the Department of Mathematics of KU Leuven (Belgium) is a dynamic, diverse, and international welcoming environment pursuing a broad variety of research topics concerning space plasmas. In the context of a newly created research group, we offer a 4-year PhD position with a focus on numerical simulations of plasmas in astrophysics, employing state-of-the-art simulation codes on supercomputers. The precise scientific goals are flexible and can be agreed upon based on the candidate’s interests, but the overall scope concerns plasmas in the heliosphere. Applications are accepted until March 31st 2024, but selection will continue until a suitable candidate is found.
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Project

The CmPA of KU Leuven offers one PhD position. The selected candidate will join the group of prof. Fabio Bacchini. During a 4-year period, they will perform numerical simulations of astrophysical plasmas with modern computer codes run on massively parallel computing facilities. They will conduct simulation campaigns, analyze results, and extract physical insight on topics of prime interest in modern astroplasma research such as (but not limited to) magnetic reconnection, plasma turbulence, shocks, and particle acceleration in the solar environment. These studies will be complemented with analytic calculations and comparison with observations wherever possible.

Profile

PhD applicants must hold (or be in the immediate vicinity of obtaining) an M.Sc. degree in physics, astrophysics, mathematics, engineering, or a closely related subject. The degree must be dated at the latest one month before the position can be taken up. Expertise in plasma dynamics, astrophysics, numerical methods, and/or scientific computing is an asset but not a requirement. Funding for the full PhD (4 years) is guaranteed, but the selected candidate will be later strongly encouraged to submit a proposal for an FWO PhD Fellowship application (https://www.fwo.be/en/fellowships-funding/phd-fellowships/phd-fellowship-fundamental-research/), as a possibility to acquire additional funding and gain valuable grant application writing skills.

Offer

The selected PhD student will be offered a 2-year contract, once renewable with 2 more years after positive evaluation. 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. The foreseen starting date is September 1st 2024, but can be negotiated.

The successful PhD applicant will have to register at, and comply with, the regulations of the KU Leuven’s Arenberg Doctoral School before final acceptance. Good knowledge of the English language is a requirement to be approved by the doctoral school. The successful PhD applicant will follow a doctoral programme including personal training in management, science communication, and teaching. As part of the doctoral requirements, the student will have to take up a teaching task of on average 4 hours per week in one of the Bachelor or Master programmes.

Interested?

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