Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center invites applications for astronomy and astrophysics PhD studies
The Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center (CAMK PAN), a leading institute of the GeoPlanet Doctoral School, offers the opportunity to carry out graduate studies leading to a PhD degree in astronomy. The PhD studies are related to subjects pursued at CAMK PAN including observational and theoretical astrophysics as well as cosmology. Our senior scientists participate in the H.E.S.S., CTA, Hyper-Kamiokande, GADMC, DarkSide, LUMI-Q, and VIRGO/LIGO/Kagra, ET and EGO projects and are involved in instrumental projects concerning the astronomical satellites eROSITA, ARCUS, PLATO, Ariel and ATHENA. CAMK PAN represents the Polish astronomical community in the SALT consortium which operates an 11-m optical telescope in South Africa. The Center's scientists are leading participants in the Polish scientific satellite project, BRITE, dedicated to precise stellar brightness measurements, and in the project ARAUCARIA, dedicated to the calibration of the cosmological distance scale. They also operate Cerro Murphy Observatory in Chile and SOLARIS – a network of southern hemisphere small robotic telescopes committed to stellar astronomy, the search for exoplanets, and quantum satellite communication.
Studies last 4 years and begin on October 1st, 2025. During the 4-year period, students are required to take specific courses, lectures (including interdisciplinary lectures) and participate in seminars, as well as prepare the doctoral thesis. All seminars and lectures are in English. The regulations of the doctoral school, including the program of the Studies, are posted on the CAMK PAN web page.
Students are based and take their courses in Warsaw or in Toruń according to the location of their supervisors. Students based in Warsaw may apply for accommodation in the student house run by our Center.
An information about the proposed research topic and its supervisor is attached to this announcement. Before applying, candidates should contact their potential supervisor to obtain more details on the proposal. The successful candidate will be based in Toruń.
Doctoral school students receive a scholarship for four years. The announced position is associated with a 4-year grant fellowship (National Science Center grant no 2023/49/B/ST9/01671): 5000 PLN/month, gross (ca. 4245 PLN/month, net, before mid-term evaluation; ca. 4740 PLN/month, net, after positive mid-term evaluation).
The recruitment process will take place via an online application system available at:
the system will open on May 13th
In the online system, choose "Register" and "Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center, Polish Academy of Sciences". After giving your consents, you will be able to enter your data and upload your application documents and select a topic. After uploading the documents you should receive an email confirmation.
Candidates must submit a complete application, including:
- The application for admission to the doctoral school together with GDPR statement (following the templates available for download in the online application form; address given above).
- A copy of their master’s/university and bachelor’s degree diplomas. In case master’s degree diploma is not yet available, it must be provided before the candidate is admitted to the school.
- A transcript of grades (Bachelor and Master Courses).
- A Curriculum Vitae including an education and employment records, list of publications, information on involvement in scientific activities – membership in scientific groups/societies, participation in scientific conferences, internships and training, awards and distinctions.
- A letter of motivation containing a short description of the candidate's interests and scientific achievements, and justification of the intention to undertake education at the Doctoral School.
- English language certificate(s), if available.
All documents, including scans, must be in PDF format and submitted by June 1, 2025 (23:59 CEST).
In addition to application documents given above, at least one recommendation letter should be sent directly by the referee to: phdstudies@camk.edu.pl, before the application deadline (June 1st).
The Recruitment Board will select candidates for the interview, which will take place June 9th-18th, 2025 (9 am – 4 pm, CEST). Decisions about admission will be made by the end of June, 2025 and all the candidates will be notified by e-mail. For additional information contact the coordinator of the doctoral school, Dr. Radosław Smolec (smolec@camk.edu.pl) or the Center’s secretary office (Mrs. Katarzyna Morawska, kasia@camk.edu.pl).
Warsaw, May 7th, 2025
Attachment: Proposed topic of PhD thesis:
Subject: Detached eclipsing binaries in the era of satellite photometric surveys
Supervisor: dr hab. Krzysztof Hełminiak (CAMK PAN Toruń; contact: xysiek@camk.edu.pl)
The aim of the project is to obtain high-precision (<1%) fundamental stellar parameters for components of selected detached eclipsing binaries (DEBs). This will be done by producing models of these binaries on the basis of quality spectroscopic material and very high precision, satellite-based photometry from the TESS mission. These results will be a base for further analysis, aimed for obtaining ages, chemical composition or distances to the systems. Results will be published in refereed journals (ApJ, MNRAS, A&A).
Over 300 various DEBs with spectroscopic and photometric data are ready for analysis, and the successful candidate can focus on one or more specific topics from the list below:
- high-mass (M>3 Msun) stars in DEBs,
- DEBs in multiple systems,
- pre-main-sequence stars in DEBs,
- F/G+K/M high-contrast pairs,
- circumbinary planet nad brown dwarf search via RVs and ExAO imaging,
- the candidate's own topic of interest, if sufficient data are currently available (in such case the applicant is encouraged to first contact dr hab. Krzysztof Hełminiak xysiek@ncac.torun.pl).
These tasks can be enhanced with new observations, including, but not limited to: a) multi-band photometry with the "Solaris" network, which consists of 4 robotic telescopes (0.5-m, 2 in South Africa, one in Argentina and one in Australia) with Johnson-Cousins (UBVRI) and Sloan (u'g'r'i'z') filter sets; b) high-resolution spectroscopy from the HRS instrument at the SALT telescope, the CHIRON instrument at the SMARTS 1.5m telescope, or facilities available through open ESO calls for proposals. Optional purchase of required elescope time is also possible.
The successful applicant will be located in Torun. She/he will use current or future tools for spectral disentangling (e.g. FD3), analysis (e.g. iSpec, GSSP), and eclipsing binary modelling (JKTEBOP, PHOEBE2, AllesFitter), and is expected to present results in international conferences and peer-reviewed publications. Other requirements:
- coding in Python 3 (strongly preferred), IDL, or other popular language,
- basics of PostgreSQL and data base handling,
- basic knowledge of observational techniques and data reduction,
- own experience in spectroscopy and/or photometry is welcome (although not strictly required),
- knowledge of the English language, allowing to work in an international environment.
Location: Toruń
Funding: Grant fellowship (National Science Center grant no 2023/49/B/ST9/01671) for 4 years: 5000 PLN/month, gross (ca. 4245 PLN/month, net, before mid-term evaluation; ca. 4740 PLN/month, net, after positive mid-term evaluation); budget for travel and computer equipment.
Note: A single position is available.
Temporal and dynamical behaviour of multi-phase accretion flow
