The Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a dynamic and innovation-driven university centrally located in Germany. With a broad range of disciplines, it shapes the future through excellent research and teaching. Its scientific excellence is reflected in the profile lines Light – Life – Liberty, which provide pioneering insights and sustainable solutions for the society of tomorrow. Through close collaborations with leading research institutions, innovative companies, and renowned cultural organizations, it advances interdisciplinary developments. With around 17,000 students and approximately 10,000 employees, it defines Jena as a vibrant, internationally connected city of science and innovation.

The Astrophysical Institute and University Observatory seeks to fill the position of a

PhD student (scientific employee, half time)

commencing on 2025 October 1 or soon later.

We offer a part-time position (50%, 20 hours per week), offered as a fixed-term position for three years.
The PhD position is available in the observational group at the Astrophysical Institute. We study nearby Galactic supernovae of the last few million years by tracing back neutron stars and runaway stars to young associations and supernova remnants to find evidence for supernovae in binaries; we use the new Gaia data for astrometry. We also study the expansion and deceleration of nova and supernova remnants with archival and our own new broad- and narrow-band imaging observations. Furthermore, we study historical observations of all cultures as key to solve current astrophysical problems like nova and supernova explosions and other long- and short-term variability phenomena of stars. All these projects are undertaken in close collaboration with national and international partners. The new PhD student is expected to participate in any of these research projects. See our web page https://www.astro.uni-jena.de (Stellar Physics and Terra-Astronomy) for details.

Your responsibilities:

• Develop, conduct, and publish a research project in any of the above fields for your doctorate
• Participate in optical observations at the 90-cm telescope observatory of U Jena
• Conduct interdisciplinary research work
• Participate in internal seminars with your own presentations as well as questions and comments
• Participate in national and international workshops and conferences as well as collaboration meetings
• Help in supervising and supporting Bachelor and Master students
• Support faculty teaching, e.g. in practica and seminars

Your profile:

• Master’s degree from a university in the field of astrophysics or physics
• Good passive and active knowledge of English in spoken and written form
• If possible, also knowledge in German language
• If possible, knowledge and experience in software programming
• If you have particular knowledge on neutron stars, supernovae, novae, or runaway stars as well as astrometry, this would be a strong plus.
• For research on historical observations, knowledge of other languages, cultures, and historical contexts would be a strong plus.

We offer:

• Flexible Working hours
• A Graduate Academy for doctoral candidates
• Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) at / up to salary scale 13 — depending on the candidate’s personal qualifications—, including a special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement.
• 30 days of vacation per calendar year plus two days off on December 24 and 31

Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability.

Are you eager to work for us? Then apply by 20 August 2025 using our online form.