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Astrophysics

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PhD Astronomy - 3 Years (Full-time)

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Contact information: Graduate School Secretary
Phone: +44 (0)131 650 5273
Email: gradschool@ph.ed.ac.uk; Address: Institute for Astronomy
Royal Observatory
Blackford Hill
Edinburgh
EH9 3HJ

Based at the historic Royal Observatory Edinburgh, the Institute for Astronomy (IfA) is one of the world’s leading centres in astronomical research.

We share our picturesque base on Blackford Hill with the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (ATC) – the UK’s leading astronomical instrument maker – so as a postgraduate student you will be joining a vibrant community of specialists.

Entry requirements

International students

All applicants must meet our general entry and language requirements. Detailed advice for international students is available here:

Research profile

The scope of our research is as wide as the cosmos we explore. Thanks to our affiliation with the UK ATC and our strong links with related research centres in the School of Physics, we are in a rare position to accommodate a diversity of research specialisms.

Current areas of research include:

cosmology (large-scale structure in the universe, galaxy formation, dark matter and dark energy)
active galactic nuclei and related objects
nearby galaxies (large-scale star formation, structure, content and evolution of galaxies)
stellar astronomy (parallax and proper motion studies, the stellar luminosity function, symbiotic stars)
star formation (observation and theoretical studies, star formation in external galaxies)
planet formation (disc and planet formation in protostars, discs around pre-main-sequence stars)
computational astrophysics (through the Edinburgh Centre for Computational Astrophysics)

Staff and student numbers

We have 35 staff members and 26 students.

Training and support

Our students undertake thesis-related research from the outset, but in parallel with structured education in relevant background knowledge.

In the first year there is a reading group that covers the basics of astrophysics in a series of tutorials, together with optional advanced undergraduate courses. As a major centre for undergraduate education in astronomy, we offer advanced-level courses in specific topics as well as computing courses.

Facilities

Not only will you be surrounded by a wealth of expertise at the Royal Observatory, but our historic setting also provides a constant reminder of the importance of astronomical advances throughout the centuries.

Observational PhDs have access to large telescopes in Australia, Hawaii, Chile and the Canary Islands, plus the Hubble Space Telescope.

Funding

Please see Scholarships and Student Funding Services for information about funding opportunities:

Scholarships and Student Funding Services

Career opportunities

Graduates from the Institute for Astronomy are among the most highly sought-after candidates for academic and commercial positions. Your degree will see you well placed to take up a rewarding role that applies your knowledge to the advancement of astrophysics.

Further Information

This article was published on Apr 25, 2013