PhD Scholarship in Galaxy Formation

DTU Space at the Technical University of Denmark invites applications for up to two PhD positions within the field of early galaxy formation and evolution.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The PhD positions are offered as part of the dedicated research project `PRIMORDIAL’ funded by an European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant. The successful applicant will join the local `Primordial Universe’ team led by Associate Professor Kasper E. Heintz and be embedded into the Cosmic Dawn Center of Excellence (hosted jointly at DTU Space and the Niels Bohr Institute). 

The candidate will work on observational studies of the physical properties and baryonic components of galaxies and their large-scale environments, with the main goal to constrain the impact of dense, primordial matter on galaxy formation and cosmic reionization using cutting-edge data from JWST and ALMA. You will work closely with local colleagues and be embedded into large international collaborations and novel observing programs with JWST and ALMA. Applicants with interests and potential experience within any of galaxy formation, Lyman-alpha absorption, ISM/CGM evolution, and spectroscopic data analysis (in particular with JWST and/or ALMA) are strongly encouraged to apply. You are expected to teach and take courses appropriate for the graduate level at DTU.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree. If you have not yet graduated, please provide documentation for an on-going master’s education.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education. 

Assessment
The assessment of the candidates will be made by a local hiring committee within DTU Space. Inquiries about the position can be made to Associate Professor Kasper E. Heintz at kelhe@space.dtu.dk

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please see DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures 

The period of employment is 3 years.

The starting date is April 1st, 2027 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
You can read more about DTU Space and Astrophysics and Atmospheric Physics at https://www.space.dtu.dk/english/

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 18 October 2026 (23:59 Danish time). 

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• List of publications (if any)

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The DTU Space Institute has about 250 employees and is located in the greater Copenhagen area at the Lyngby Campus of the Technical University of Denmark together with 19 other institutes within the technical sciences. We link natural science closely with the development of new technology. DTU Space is involved in the full life cycle of space activities, including concept and design, construction and proto-typing, calibration and validation, implementation and operations, data analysis, processing, dissemination, and applications, leading to new instruments and applications. With the specialized and refined technology available, we are getting more and more answers and further insight about the Earth and the universe surrounding us. We contribute to about 200 scientific publications a year.

In the Astrophysics & Atmospheric Physics Division current focus areas cover large-scale structure of the universe, physics of compact objects, exoplanets, upper atmosphere physics and cosmo-climatology as well as development of instrumentation, in particular high-energy instrumentation, i.e. X- and gamma ray detectors and -optics.  The division is currently active in the operation of instruments and data analysis from three satellites. The division also runs four instrumentation laboratories and hosts a center for space weather research and forecasts.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.