Below you will find information about available PhD projects. Please select your topic of interest:

• Infrared-Astronomy (MPE)
• High Energy Astrophysics (MPE)
• Optical and Interpretative Astronomy (MPE)
• Extragalactic Astronomy (USM)
• Computational Astrophysics (USM)
• Stellar Astrophysics - Expanding Atmospheres of Hot Stars (USM)
• Computational Star and Planet Formation Group (USM)
• Plasma-Astrophysics (USM)
• Young Stars & Star Formation Group (USM)
• Cosmology and Structure Formation (USM)
• Extragalactic Astrophysics and Cosmology (MPA)
• High Energy Astrophysics (MPA)
• Supernovae (MPA)
• Stellar Astrophysics and Galactic Archeology (MPA)
• Astrophysics, from planets and star formation to stellar structure, populations and clusters, galaxies and cosmology (ESO)

MPE Infrared Astronomy

We are an observational group, covering the full spectrum from developing forefront instruments for ground and space-based telescopes, to conducting challenging observations and interpreting the results in astrophysical terms. Our main science topics are the formation and evolution of galaxies at redshifts between 1 and 3, and the physics of galactic nuclei across cosmic time. To this end we use state-of-the-art near-infrared, far-infrared and millimeter imaging and spectroscopy at high resolution. Key results have been the unambiguous detection of the supermassive black hole in the center of our galaxy through stellar orbits, the identification of star formation as the main power source of dusty ultraluminous galaxies by mid-infrared spectroscopy, the first substantial survey of high redshift galaxy dynamics using integral field spectroscopy, and the first studies of cold gas and far-infrared luminosities of distant massive 'normal' galaxies. These results are part of our pursuit of issues like existence and growth of black holes in galactic nuclei, gas dynamics and fuelling of AGNs, nature and evolution of star forming galaxies at low and high redshift, the properties of starburst galaxies, and galactic outflows. Within our own Galaxy, research focusses on the physical and chemical evolution of dense gas associated with protostars and protoplanetary disks, with special emphasis on the role of water.

Our strength is the combination of instrumental development with world-class observational and interpretational research. In the near-infrared, we have led or significantly contributed to: SINFONI, the near infrared field imaging spectrometer for the ESO VLT, NACO, the diffraction limited imager for the ESO VLT, the PARSEC laser for the ESO VLT laser guide star facility, and the MOS unit for the LUCI imager/spectrometer for the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). We are the PI Institute for the far-infrared camera/spectrometer PACS, one of the three instruments on-board the Herschel Space Observatory, which was successfully launched in 2009. Projects under development include KMOS, soon to be commissioned at the VLT, the ARGOS Instrument for the LBT, Gravity for the VLT interferometry, and the diffraction limited first light camera MICADO for the planned European Extremely Large Telescope. In addition, we have regular access to the facilities at IRAM and ESO. Research areas for which we offer PhD theses, and related project pages include:

• Novel instrumentation concepts in high resolution astronomy by adaptive optics and interferometry - GRAVITY, ARGOS, MICADO
• Exploring galaxy evolution by near-infrared to mm-wave high resolution observations of high redshift galaxies – SINS
• Herschel Space Observatory surveys and the nature of the cosmic infrared background – PEP
• The Black Hole in the center of our Galaxy and its surrounding stellar cluster - a laboratory for understanding black holes and strong gravity – Galactic Center
• Black holes and star formation in nearby galaxies – AGN, SHINING
• Herschel Space Observatory observations of water in star- and planet-forming regions within our Galaxy

For more details visit the homepage MPE Infrared-Astronomy.

High resolution studies of galaxy evolution like the surprising detection of a massive rotating disk in the z=2.38 galaxy BzK-15504 are made possible by our active instrumentation program, for example the PARSEC laser at the ESO VLT.

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MPE High Energy Astrophysics

High Energy Astrophysics addresses among the most extreme phenomena in the Universe. Plasma with temperatures up to billions of degrees, and the interaction of highly energetic electrons with magnetic and photon fields generates high energy radiation in the X-rays and Gamma-rays. Studying cosmic objects in these wavebands gives insights into physical processes that often cannot be achieved when observing in other wavelength regimes.

The High Energy Astrophysics group at MPE, comprising about 80 members, has its major scientific emphasis on the study of these processes, mostly via X-ray and Gamma-ray observations, but also extending to other wavebands. Our main astrophysical themes are: 1) Physical processes including strong gravity around black holes and other compact objects; 2) The cosmic history of black hole growth and its relationship to galaxy evolution; 3) Large scale structure and cosmology, as probed by hot gas in clusters and groups of galaxies; 4) the physical nature and cosmological implications of Gamma-Ray Bursts.

To achieve our scientific aims the group runs a major experimental program in the development and construction of X-ray instrumentation. In our Semiconductor Lab we develop highly specialized X-ray detectors, including the EPIC pn-CCD camera currently operated on the XMM-Newton satellite. We have long experience in the realization of X-ray telescopes and even whole satellite payloads being calibrated in our 130 m test facility PANTER. This engagement has enabled us to build and operate for over 8 years the ROSAT observatory, and collaborate actively in all major X-ray observatory missions, especially XMM-Newton and Chandra. The group has also built hardware for the Gamma-ray satellite INTEGRAL, and the Gamma-Ray Burst monitor for the Fermi mission. Currently, the institute is preparing the eROSITA instrument for the Russian Spectrum-RG satellite. After its launch in 2013, eROSITA will perform a new X-ray all-sky survey a factor of 10-30 deeper than ROSAT and HEAO-1. In addition to X-ray and Gamma-ray observations, we use optical, infrared and radio data to better interpret high energy phenomena in the Universe. The group built and operates GROND, a photometric imager designed for the simultaneous optical and near-infrared follow-up of Gamma-Ray bursts located in Chile, and OPTIMA, designed for fast timing and polarimetry of compact sources. We also participate in a variety of ground based astronomy programs focused on the follow-up of X-ray surveys.

Research fields for which PhD projects are offered specifically for 2012 include:

• Characterizing the  bright AGN sample  from X-ray and  near-IR all-sky surveys
• Population properties of AGN in observations and simulations: toward a physical description of accretion history of the Universe
• Study of the Structure of Galaxy Clusters with X-ray Observations
• Ray tracing in the pseudo-complex gravitational theory
• Understanding galaxy clusters in the eROSITA survey
• Development of Silicon Detectors for X-ray astronomy (HLL)

Please check here for more details.

The X-ray satellite ROSAT, which was developed and operated by MPE performed the first all-sky survey in the X-ray band with an imaging X-ray telescope. The image shows thediffuse X-ray sky as seen by ROSAT. More recent X-ray missions like XMM-Newton and Chandra largely gain from the results obtain with ROSAT. eROSITA will significantly expand the survey.

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MPE Optical and Interpretative Astronomy &
USM Extragalactic Astronomy

The USM-MPE extragalactic research group is a joint effort of the University Observatory of Munich (USM) and the Max-Planck Institute for Extraterrestical Physics. The group is located both at the USM (see `Extragalactic Astronomy') and at MPE ). Senior group members are Prof. Ralf Bender, Prof. O. Gerhard, Dr. U. Hopp, P.D. Dr. R.P. Saglia, Dr. S. Seitz.

The research of the group focusses on dark energy and dark matter in the Universe, on local and distant galaxies, and planets. The aims of our current science projects are:

• to constrain the nature of dark matter, by searching for MACHOS with pixellensing towards M31, and by analysing cluster and galaxy dark matter halo profiles with strong and weak lensing in combination with dynamical and photometric information for nearby galaxies;
• to derive constraints on the nature of dark energy, by measuring the power spectra of galaxies and clusters of galaxies at various redshifts, the number density of clusters as a function of mass and redshift, and the redshift dependence of the gravitational lens effect;
• to understand the structure and dynamics of local and distant galaxies, their stellar populations, their formation and evolution;
• to build a model of the Milky Way which can be used as a template for galaxy formation;
• to quantify the role of black holes and dark matter in galaxies;
• to search for extrasolar planets using the transit method in wide field surveys and understand their properties (mass, density, atmosphere).

We pursue these science questions with a combination of optical and near-infrared observations, theory, numerical modelling, and data interpretation. The group is one of the principal partners in the Pan-STARRS survey which images 3/4 of the sky with unprecedented depth. It is also an important partner in several large international collaborations (e.g., the NUKER team, the PN.S project).

The observational data necessary for our scientific programs come from running own telescope (Wendelstein), partnership in the Hobby-Eberly-Telescope and Pan-STARRS projects, from guaranteed time received for providing instruments to ESO ( FORS , SPIFFI , OmegaCAM , KMOS), and from participation in public surveys. Last, not least we obtain time from applications to the ESO telescopes and the german-spanish Calar-Alto Observatory. In addition we use our Wendelstein observatory in the Alps for pixellensing and other monitoring projects. (The currently used 0.8m telescope will soon be replaced by a 2m-telescope with adequadate imaging and spectroscopic instrumentation).

The numerical modelling uses state-of-the-art numerical methods run on PC clusters. Some of these methods are developed or implemented within our group for specific projects. Recent examples are Schwarzschild's orbit superposition method used for measuring black hole masses, and the NMAGIC adaptive N-body code for modelling galaxy dynamics.

In addition, the USM-MPE extragalactic research group is designing and building imaging and spectroscopy instruments for 1-10m class telescopes, together with national and international partners. We built, e.g., the FORS instruments for the VLT, and LRS (Low Resolution Spectrograph) for the 10m Hobby-Eberly-Telescope in Texas (which we share with the Universities of Texas, Penn State University, Standford and Göttingen). We currently wait for our newly built 1-square degree imager OmegaCam to start operations on the 2.6m VLT-survey telescope (VST) in Chile. Right now we started the design of a multi-IFU-infrared spectrograph (KMOS@VLT) and a giant optical IFU spectrograph (VIRUS@HET).

Finally, we also develop data reduction and analysis software. We are member of ASTROWISE, a european team (USM, Paris, Groeningen, Leiden and Naples) providing data analysis software for the OmegaCAM and any wide field data. This software is essential for all wide field imaging surveys carried out within the ESO community in the future. For the VIRUS project we are developing the pipeline for the automatic reduction of the integral field spectra.

This year we offer PhD projects within our group in the following science areas:

• Dynamical modelling of galaxies
• Stellar content and structure of the Milky Way

For more details visit our homepages OPINAS or PhD-Thesis Projects.

Difference image movie of a 30 x 30 arcsec² area in the bulge of M31 from our WECAPP pixellensing project. Long period variables and other variable stars show up as varying black and white spots. Towards the end of the movie a microlens event is visible in the center of the field.

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USM Computational Astrophysics

The research of the computational astrophysics group at the USM is focussed on dynamical processes in galaxies, related to galaxy formation and evolution, the evolution of the interstellar medium and star and planet formation. Using different numerical methods and codes, coupled with special hardware connected to local PC clusters for fast computations we explore the complex non-linear evolution of gas in galaxies and its condensation into dense molecular clouds and stars. We explore the collapse of protostellar clumps and cores, the formation of protostellar disks and their condensation into planets. On larger scales we investigate galaxy-galaxy interactions including dark matter, stars and gas and study the morphological transitions of galaxies and the origin of their spheroidal components.

Research fields for which PhD projects are offered:

• Origin of very old, massive elliptical galaxies
• The cosmological angular momentum problem
• The origin of turbulence in the interstellar medium
• Formation of clumpy, turbulent molecular clouds
• Formation of stellar clusters and disruption of molecular clouds
• Origin and evolution of stellar disks around massive black holes in the centers of galaxies
• Evolution of protoplanetary disks and their condensation into brown dwarfs and massive planets

For more details visit the homepage USM Computational Astrophysics.

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USM Stellar Astrophysics - Expanding Atmospheres of Hot Stars

Hot Stars cover sub-groups of objects in different parts of the HR diagram and at different evolutionary stages. The most important sub-groups are massive O/B Stars, Central Stars of Planetary Nebulae, and Supernovae. All these objects have in common that they are characterized by high radiation energy densities and expanding atmospheres. Due to these properties, the state of the outermost parts of these objects is characterized by non-equilibrium thermodynamics and radiation hydrodynamics.

The USM Hot Star group is experienced in the corresponding theory of stellar atmospheres, and in model simulations and the computation of realistic synthetic spectra for these astrophysically important objects.

Specific topics address the relevance of Hot Stars for current astronomical research:

• The present cosmological question of the reionization of the universe requires quantitative predictions about the influence of very massive, extremely metal-poor Population III stars on their galactic and intergalactic environment. The objective is to deduce the ionization efficiency of a Top-heavy IMF via realistic spectral energy distributions of these very massive stars.
• Due to the impact of massive stars on their environment the underlying physics for the spectral appearance of starburst galaxies are rooted in the atmospheric expansion of massive O stars which dominate the UV wavelength range in star-forming galaxies. Therefore, the UV-spectral features of massive O stars can be used as tracers of age and chemical composition of starburst galaxies even at high redshift
• Distant SNe Ia appear fainter than standard candles in an empty Friedmann model of the universe. This surprising result requires investigating the role of Supernovae of Type Ia as distance indicators with respect to diagnostic issues of their spectra

Research fields for which PhD projects are offered:

• Diagnostics of UV and optical spectra of O type stars
• Synthetic spectra of the x-ray range of O type stars
• Synthetic spectra for SN Ia at late phases
• IR-spectroscopy of massive stars
• Clumping in hot star winds - constraints from a multi-wavelength analysis

The main focus of the working group thus is to develop diagnostic techniques in order to extract the complete physical stellar information from the spectra at all wavelength ranges.

For more details visit our homepage USM Stellar Astrophysics - Expanding Atmospheres of Hot Stars.

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USM Computational Star and Planet Formation Group

We explore topics from the formation of single stars and planetary systems to larger scale star and cluster formation by means of numerical and theoretical investigations. We use state-of-the-art numerical tools and develop new algorithm in-house in order to tackle the problem of radiation transport in complex evolving hydrodynamical systems.

Some of the latest highlights from the group involve

• simulations of photoionisation feedback from young massive stellar clusters on the surrounding natal cloud
• the escape of ioninsing radiation from galaxies in the context of IGM ionisation re-ionisation in the early universe
• the study of dust and gas evolution in protoplanetary discs
• the dispersal of protoplanetary discs by energetic radiation from the central star and by planet formation

PhD projects can be offered in the context of these research topics listed above.

Bubbles and pillars sculpted by HII regions in a turbulent molecular cloud. Snapshot of the neutral gas from a Smooth Particle Hydrodynamic simulation performed by Jim Dale.

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USM Plasma-Astrophysics

The Plasma-Physic group at the USM is involved in the research of the macroscopic dynamics of astrophysical plasmas. 99% of the visible Universe is in the plasma state. Thus, the understanding of the dynamics of cosmic multi-particle systems under the influence of electromagnetic forces, is of outstanding importance.

Phenomena of special interest to our group are:

• high-energy particle acceleration processes in the context of (proto)-stellar flares, pulsars, extragalactic jets and cosmic rays,
• plasma heating in, e.g., (proto)stellar coronae, galactic high-velocity clouds and the interstellar medium,
• the generation, reconfiguration, filamentation and energy conversion of magnetic fields in (proto)galaxies, accretion disks, active galactic nuclei.

Our analytical and numerical investigations are carried out on the grounds of the (multi)fluid- as well as the kinetic plasma theory.

Research fields for which PhD projects are offered:

• TeV Emission from Active Galactic Nuclei

For mor details visit the homepage USM Plasma-Astrophysics.

In the Centaurus A x-ray jet high-energy particles are continuously accelerated on kpc length scales up to Lorentz factors of some 10⁷.

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USM Young Stars & Star Formation Group

The aim of the work in our group is a detailed characterization of the young stellar populations in star forming regions and a reconstruction of their star formation histories. A particularly important topic is the investigation of the nteraction between the young stars with the surrounding clouds, especially the strong radiative and wind feedback from newly formed high-mass stars and the resulting processes of cloud dispersal and triggered star formation. For these studies we use observations across a wide range of wavelengths, from the X-ray regime, via the infrared, down to he mm-range.

We also perform and analyze observations of individual young stellar objects with the technique of infrared long-baseline interferometry, in order to study the innermost (sub-AU) regions of protoplanetary disks.

Research topics for which PhD projects can be offered include:

• X-ray observations of star forming regions
• Analysis of near-, mid-, and far-infrared images of star forming regions
• Molecular line observations of the gas in irradiated clouds pillars
• Infrared interferometric observations of young stars with protoplanetary disks and close binaries.

For more details visit the homepage USM Young Stars & Star Formation Group.

Color composite of the Chandra X-ray image (blue, green) and MSX 8 micron image (red) of the Carina Nebula, created from the data of the Chandra Carina Complex Project.

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USM Cosmology and Structure Formation

The research group on Cosmology and Structure Formation is pursuing studies in cosmology and the formation and evolution of large scale structures in the universe. Our work is at the interface of observation and theory, where we seek to bring together new observational constraints with state of the art hydrodynamical simulations of structure formation. We are pursuing cosmological topics such as the nature of the cosmic acceleration and the characteristics of the initial density perturbations. Our ongoing structure formation studies focus on the properties and evolution of the large scale structure, including clusters of galaxies, the most massive collapsed structures in the universe.

Currently we are working to better understand the masses, the evolutionary histories and the cosmological implications of a sample of approximately 500 high mass galaxy clusters selected by the South Pole Telescope using the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Effect, which is an inverse Compton based signature that the hot plasma in galaxy clusters imprints on the cosmic microwave background. The South Pole Telescope (PI Dr. John Carlstrom, U Chicago) is the first mm-wave telescope to reach the sensitivity to select galaxy clusters through the SZE, and it it currently the only telescope that has the sensitivity to produce large samples of massive clusters extending beyond a redshift z=1. It is these high redshift, high mass clusters that are most important for cosmological studies, and it is this sample that currently only the SPT survey is delivering. We are pursuing a combined X-ray, optical imaging and spectroscopy and weak lensing study of these systems on the way toward an exciting measurement of the cosmological implications of the sample, including constraints on the nature of dark energy or the cosmic acceleration.

Another primary focus of our group is in preparation for the science analysis of the Dark Energy Survey, which is a 5000 deg^2, deep multiband optical survey of the southern sky that will begin in Fall 2011. At USM we are working on the development of the data management system that will enable the processing, calibration and archiving of this system together with the extraction of the weak lensing shear maps, survey selection function and lists of time variable sources. In addition, we are working in the galaxy cluster, large scale structure and weak lensing science working groups to develop and test the tools needed to ensure the rapid scientific analysis of the DES dataset. And of course we are using precursor surveys like the Blanco Cosmology Survey to pursue smaller scale cosmology and structure formation studies in combination with observations of SPT and XMM.

We are working to develop the science case and novel analysis techniques for the eROSITA all sky X-ray survey (PI Dr. Peter Predehl, MPE). This survey will begin in 2013 and will deliver a sample of 10^5 galaxy clusters and 10^6 AGN that, in combination with the multi-wavelength optical surveys like the Dark Energy Survey and Pan-STARRS1, should provide the ideal sample for cosmological studies using galaxy clusters and for structure formation and evolution studies using both clusters and AGN.

Our group, in collaboration with Dr. Klaus Dolag, is also focused on delivering a next generation hydrodynamical simulation that will reach a volume of 1 cubic gigaparsec with sufficient resolution to follow the formation and evolution of galaxies. These simulations will be used in combination with SZE, optical and X-ray observations of from SPT, XMM, Chandra and the VLT to study the evolution of the cluster galaxy population and to understand how feedback from AGN and star formation within clusters and cluster galaxies alter the entropy and enrichment history of the plasma in these most massive systems. In addition, we are using these simulations and their precursors to test new techniques for selecting clusters from the X-ray, optical and SZE sky maps that are now becoming available.

In summary, there are a broad range of science analyses underway in our group and therefore many opportunities for talented and ambitious graduate students. Projects are available in the following areas:

• The evolution and nature of density fluctuations out to redshifts beyond z=1 using the SPT cluster sample
• Custering and evolution of galaxies using large photometric redshift samples from the BCS and DES and spectroscopic extensions of these surveys that will deliver large samples of spec-z's
• Evolution of the galaxy population and the intracluster medium within massive clusters from the time of the formation of the first such systems to the present
• The underlying causes of the cosmic acceleration using techniques that include the evolution of galaxy cluster populations and the clustering of both galaxy clusters and galaxies
• Development of novel algorithms for the improved processing and calibration of photometric and spectroscopic optical data

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MPA Extragalactic Astrophysics and Cosmology

The MPA Cosmology group is interested in the structure, evolution and material content of our Universe. PhD positions can be offered in any (or a combination) of the following scientific topics which are currently under active study:

• The microwave background radiation as a probe of the origin of structure and the physics of the early Universe
• Detecting and characterizing the reionization epoch.
• The morphology, quantitative characterisation and observational measurement of the large scale structure in the galaxy, dark matter and intergalactic gas distributions.
• The use of gravitational lensing to characterise the dark matter environments of galaxies and galaxy clusters and statistical properties of the cosmic mass distribution.
• The structure, formation and evolution of galaxies and of their central supermassive black holes
• The structure and formation history of the Milky Way
• The phenomenology of star formation in galaxies, of active galactic nuclei and of galaxy interactions, and its relation to the astrophysics driving the evolution of the galaxy population
• The intergalactic and interstellar medium, its evolution and structure,
  its chemical enrichment, its interaction with galaxies and AGN
• Using all of the above to test the current standard LCDM paradigm for the growth of cosmic structure, and to find tests for the nature of Dark matter and Dark Energy
• Development of signal inference and image reconstruction methods based on information theory for galactic and extragalactic observations at various frequency bands ranging from radio to gamma rays.

Group members use a mixture of pure theory, high-performance numerical simulations, data interpretation, and direct observations to address these questions. The group is one of the principal nodes of the international Virgo Supercomputing Consortium which has carried out many of the largest cosmological simulations ever completed. It is a Partner in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey III, which is building on the legacy of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to map the structure and dynamics of the Milky Way, to study the evolution of massive galaxies to high redshifts and to understand dark energy and the nature of the universe. With the MPA High Energy group it is the German centre for the Planck mission which is currently mapping the microwave background radiation. It has built a remote station for the radio interferometer Low Frequency Array. Finally, we lead two projects (The Galex Arecibo SDSS Survey -GASS and an IRAM large program COLD GASS to understand the connection between atomic and molecular gas and star formation in nearby galaxies.

A slice through the dark matter distribution of the Millennium-XXL simulation, focusing on the most massive collapsed structure present a z=0. The Millennium-XXL, the largest simulation of cosmic structure formation ever carried out, follows the gravitational interaction of more than 300 billion dark matter particles on a cubical region of 4200 Mpc across. This calculation is used to study the very large-scale distribution of galaxies and its implications for Dark Energy measurements.

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MPA High Energy Astrophysics

The area of interests of the MPA High Energy Astrophysics group can be broadly outlined as physical processes and interaction of matter and radiation under extreme astrophysical conditions. The objects where these processes are investigated include the Universe as a whole, clusters of galaxies, supermassive black holes and jets in AGN, accreting black holes and neutron stars in X-ray binaries, Gamma-ray bursts and the Cosmic Microwave Background. Similarities in the underlying physical processes bind these diverse subjects together. A special focus of the work is accretion onto compact objects (black holes, neutron stars and white dwarfs). This includes theories for the hydrodynamics of the accretion process and the origin of the energetic radiation. Examples are detailed theories for the boundary layer around accreting neutron stars, and the theory of Comptonization and it's applications. In addition members of the group are closely involved with interpretation of the observational signatures of accreting black holes and neutron stars, the study of X-ray emission from the clusters of galaxies, relic radio sources, theories for the central engines of Gamma-ray Bursts, the evolution of binary stars, and the behavior of magnetic fields in a wide range of astrophysical environments. Likewise, this research group has interests in the study of the interaction of CMB photons with matter at different evolutionary epochs of our universe. These include the cosmological recombination, the end of the Dark Ages/beginning of reionization, and the late accelerated expansion phase seeded by a cosmological constant or any sort of Dark Energy. Particular emphasis is paid on the characterization of the CMB spectrum generated during recombination, the interaction of the CMB with the heavy elements synthesized by the first stars, and the secondary anisotropies introduced by newly ionized bubbles, galaxy groups and clusters during the ntermediate and late ages of our universe. The group can host PhD students in any (or a combination of) these areas.

One of the key elements of the group's approach is to complement the theoretical advancement of the field with state-of-the-art data analysis of the experimental data. The group is actively using the data from the RXTE, CHANDRA, XMM-Newton, INTEGRAL, Swift and WMAP observatories. The group also provides scientific support for future missions that will lead to substantial progress in high resolution X-ray spectroscopy and microsecond timing.

Research fields for which PhD projects are offered:

• Physical cosmology: CMB, interaction of matter and radiation during
  recombination, reionization and the late stages of our universe
• Accretion onto black holes and neutron stars: theory and observations
• Jets in quasars and micro-quasars
• Elementary physical processes, including theory of Comptonisation
• Origin and growth of supermassive black holes
• Populations of accreting black holes and neutron stars in young and old galaxies
• X-ray emission from clusters of galaxies and cooling flows
• Models for central engines of Gamma-ray bursts

For more details visit the homepage MPA High Energy Astrophysics.

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MPA Supernovae

The MPA Supernovae group is a world-leader in modelling the violent deaths of stars in the form of supernovae and studying how such explosions produce the chemical elements, generate gravitational waves or can be used as reliable cosmic distance indicators. Massive stars end their lives in core collapse supernovae when the star has run out of nuclear fuel in the interior. In some cases the explosion following the initial collapse can lead to particularly energetic hypernovae or gamma-ray bursts. Another type of supernovae occurs in binary systems involving white dwarfs, the compact remnants of less massive stars. These thermonuclear supernovae explosion can either be triggered by accretion of material from a companion star or during the merger of two white dwarfs. The MPA group specializes in performing realistic multi-dimensional hydrodynamical supercomputer simulations of the different types of supernovae and gamma-ray bursts, which takes into account detailed microphysics such as turbulent flame propagation, neutrino transfer, magnetic fields and special and general relativistic effects. The supernova models are also used to predict the emergent spectrum to compare with observations.

Most of the work within the group is theoretical/computational in nature but more recently the group has lead several observational programs aimed at understanding the physics of supernovae. The group has a long track-record of developing novel and sophisticated numerical methods to enable the extremely computing-intensive hydrodynamical simulations. The group has excellent access to powerful parallel supercomputers and is engaged in two long term Collaborative Research Centers of the German Science Foundation (DFG) on Gravitational Wave Astronomy and on The Dark Universe. It also actively participates in the Excellence cluster on Origin and Structure of the Universe involving MPA, MPE, MPP, ESO, LMU and TUM.

Research fields for which PhD projects are offered:

• Explosion physics of thermonuclear supernovae
• Simulating gamma-ray bursts
• Neutrino transfer and core-collapse supernova
• Supernova nucleosynthesis
• Modelling and observations of supernova spectra
• Gravitational wave signature from supernova explosions

Left: A snapshot from a 3D simulation of a core collaps supernova,which demonstrates the complex hydrodynamical velocity field and neutrino heating during the earliest phases of the collapse prior to the final explosion. Right: A simulation of a thermonuclear supernova (SNe type Ia), which shows the 3D structure of the thermonuclear burning front in blue incinerating the white dwarf.

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MPA Stellar Astrophysics and Galactic Archeology

The MPA Stellar Astrophysics and Galactic Archeology (SAGA) group has a two-fold aim: understand the physics of stars, and use stars as probes of the cosmos, be it to study the Big Bang, galaxies in and outside the Local Group, the history of the Milky Way or the origin of the elements. The research encompasses both sophisticated modelling with (super-)computers and observations with the most powerful telescopes. Our group is an active partner of the Gaia-ESO and APOGEE surveys.

A common thread for much of the work is the study of the origin of the elements -- when, where and how the different chemical elements were produced in the Universe. Essentially all elements have been forged by nuclear reactions in the fiery interiors of stars and MPA has for decades been a world-leader in simulating stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis. Much of the work has focussed on understanding low- and intermediate mass stars and testing the models by means of helio- and asteroseismology. More recently, massive red supergiants, the largest and brightest stars in galaxies in the infrared light, have been added to our sphere of interests. Another critical ingredient for this endeavour is how to decipher the light emitted by stars in terms of stellar properties such as masses, temperatures, ages and chemical compositions. The objects we are interested in range from stars very similar to our Sun to members of stellar clusters and extremely metal-poor stars.

Among the priority areas there are the investigation of Galactic sub-structure by means of metal-poor stars and the analysis of the cosmic chemical composition with young massive stars. We also seek to develop new radiative transfer models for stellar envelopes incorporating most up-to-date atomic physics data.

The stellar modelling within the group concentrates on understanding better the physics of stars, since only then nucleosynthesis, the ages of stars, their masses, and in consequence even the evolution of galaxies can only be deciphered with confidence. The focus of our attention lies on improving the treatment of convection in stars of all masses and evolutionary stages, and to provide accurate and reliable models for stars observed by asteroseismology mission. We are actively participating in the analysis and modelling of COROT and KEPLER objects.

Research fields for which PhD projects are offered:

• Chemical composition of stars in the field and stellar clusters
• Red supergiants as cosmic abundance probes
• Fundamental aspects of spectral analysis
• Automated spectral analysis methods
• First stars
• Stellar evolution, mixing and nucleosynthesis
• Physics of stellar convection
• Probing stellar interiors through asteroseismology

A small but representative volume of the stellar atmosphere is simulated by computing the convective and radiative energy transport. The 3D geometry of the atmospheric structure and the velocity field and their time-evolution can thereby be calculated and used to predict the emergent stellar spectrum.

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Astrophysics at ESO

The research activities at ESO focus on optical, infrared and millimeter wave astronomy using mainly ground-based facilities at ESO observatories in Chile. In addition to optical and infrared imaging and spectroscopy ESO astronomers are actively involved in the development and utilization of high-spatial resolution techniques such as adaptive optics or interferometry. The scientific expertise at ESO covers all major areas of observational astronomy. Research interests of ESO scientists range from the Solar system to studies of the solar neighbourhood (extrasolar planets, evolved stars, star formation), interstellar medium, Galactic structure, the local universe (Local Group and beyond) and cosmology (galaxy clusters, Gamma-ray bursts, dark matter, lensing).

Research fields for which PhD projects are offered:

• Planets and star formation
• Stellar structure and evolution
• Stellar populations
• Evolution of galaxies and the ISM
• Cosmology and the early Universe

The complete list of PhD topic offered at ESO for all research fields is available at ESO PhD-Topics. More details on science activities at ESO are availale at ESO Science.

VLT/ISAAC near-infrared image of the Galactic giant HII region NGC 3603 with its central starburst cluster. Stars with masses between 0.1 and 120 solar masses formed simultaneously in the cluster.

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