Astrophysics

There has never been a better time to work in astrophysics, a vibrant and competitive discipline. The best way to succeed is by conducting exciting original research and by getting out there and telling people a compelling story about it.

Applicants will first be assessed on the basis of their CV and reference letters. A number of candidates will be invited for interview at one of the two announced dates.

The PhD course consists of three to four years of study and research. First year students are required to attend several courses spanning a period from November to May and to pass some exams. At the beginning of the first year, students are assigned a staff member as their tutor. The tutor will advise the students on selecting the exams and will guide them towards the choice of a research project for their PhD thesis.

After the completion of the courses, students will start their research work under the supervision of one or more SISSA staff members.

Students will also benefit from close contact with other SISSA groups, such as the Astroparticle Physics and the Theoretical Particle Physics groups, and from the connection with the International Centre for Theoretical Physics.

The main research interests are:

  • Physics of stars and black holes
  • High energy astrophysics and AGN
  • Galaxy formation and evolution
  • Dark matter and dark energy
  • Large scale structure
  • Cosmic microwave background
  • General relativity and quantum gravity phenomenology

THE MOST RECENT PLACEMENTS AFTER PHD AT SISSA:
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (Cambridge, USA), University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, USA), Albert Einstein Institute (Germany), Max-Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Potsdam, Germany), Yale University (New Haven, USA), Australia Telescope National Facility (Australia).

Additional information about the courses and the research activity can be found at: http://www.sissa.it/ap/index.php

Short fellowships may be awarded to students who will sit the entrance exam. Such fellowships will cover travel and accommodation expenses and will entitle students to stay in the school before the selection. Click here for further information.

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COORDINATOR:
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Phone: +39 040 3787 866 

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