Postdoctoral & PhD positions for the SOUL project at KU Leuven

Annonce transmise par Brigitte Schmieder (LESIA et KU Leuven)

The following initial SOUL positions at KU Leuven (Belgium) are offered in the field of solar physics :

-  A 2-year postdoctoral position with the prospect of an extension up to 4 years. This position is aimed at the construction of numerical 3D magnetohydrodynamic models of stellar atmospheres. The first step is to implement a new physics module in an existing numerical code, either MPI-AMRVAC (in Fortran) or COOLFLUID (in C++). Thus, experience in working with HPC codes and supercomputing is desirable. The new physics module incorporates Alfven and kink wave heating of the stellar atmosphere based on a working 1D proof-of-concept. Then, the new numerical code will be applied to construct models for atmospheres and stellar winds in the cool star regime. For this, experience with stellar magnetic fields and their extrapolation is desirable. Inquiries: tom.vandoorsselaere@kuleuven.be

-  A 2 + 2-year PhD position. Within this position we will build numerical 3D magnetohydrodynamic models for stellar atmospheres in a binary system. The student will work in close collaboration with the postdoc who implements the numerical model and extend their work to binary systems. The aim is to quantify binary mass exchanges in advanced atmospheric models of star-star and star-planet systems. Previous student projects or internships with supercomputing and programming for MHD are a plus. In-depth knowledge of plasma physics is essential. Inquiries: tom.vandoorsselaere@kuleuven.be

The Host Institutes

The Institute of Astronomy (IoA) and Centre of mathematical Plasma Astrophysics (CmPA)  of KU Leuven in Belgium are young and vibrant research groups approximately 150 scientists, engineers, and administrative staff. The institutes are expertise centres in stellar and planetary physics and are active in several international consortia and collaborations. The institutes have a long tradition in instrumental, observational, computational, and theoretical studies of stellar evolution bridging the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Department of Mathematics. Members of IoA and CmPA have access to parallel computing facilities at KU Leuven.

The IoA and CmPA together are responsible for the organisation of the 2-year Master in Astronomy & Astrophysics and Advanced Master of Space Studies of the Faculty of Science.

For more information: see http://fys.kuleuven.be/ster/ (IoA) and https://wis.kuleuven.be/CmPA (CmPA)

Inquiries and applications

The preferred starting date for all positions is between August 1st and October 1st 2024.

·      Application Deadline: March 25th 2024

·      Selection Deadline: May 1st 2024

For more information and to apply please visit the KU Leuven vacancies page:

    For the software and postdoc positions: https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/60305236?lang=en
    For PhD positions: https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/60305230?lang=en

General Inquiries About SOUL and profiles:
 

Attention To: Prof. Conny Aerts, SOUL Methusalem Beneficiary;

Subject: Methusalem Grant SOUL positions;

Email: conny.aerts@kuleuven.be

For questions on the application process: please contact Rose Stanley, rose.stanley@kuleuven.be