PhD in Molecular Astrophysics (Astrochemistry) and Star Formation

Project Description

How chemically complex do molecules in star-forming regions get and how do they form? Unbiased spectral surveys executed with the most powerful interferometers such as the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) allow us to robustly identify 100s of molecules and robustly constrain their abundances in regions containing infant stars. Meanwhile, state-of-the-art physicochemical models permit us to disentangle the individual chemical pathways towards chemical complexity and identify the most conducive physical environments.

The first goal is to observationally study star-forming regions with ALMA, in order to identify chemically complex molecules, their isotopologs, and their abundances. The second goal is to model the physical processes of star and protoplanetary disk formation alongside chemical process that produce and destroy complex organic molecules. ALMA data and initial modelling framework are already available. By the end of the project, you are expected to defend your PhD thesis and emerge with dual expertise in, both, radio observations and physicochemical modelling. You will immediately become part of international consortia with ample opportunity to collaborate and build your network.

You will join a brand-new ambitious Molecular Astrophysics Group at the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (DCBP) at Universität Bern (UniBE), founded on May 1st, 2026. With us, you will have a major impact on shaping the group's culture and approach to science for the coming years. As a member of a new and growing research group, you will benefit from close supervision by your supervisor and more senior group members, and short internal decision making. Powerful computers to facilitate work on ALMA data will be made available. The Molecular Astrophysics Group will be an international team with scientific excellence, mutual empowerment, and collective resilience as its core values.

What You Will Do

• Analyze ALMA data and learn data reduction pipelines
• Develop physical models of star-formation and networks for interstellar chemistry
• Lead publications in high-impact journals
• Contribute to and lead future observing proposals
• Present results at international conferences and consortia meetings

Requirements

• MSc degree in a natural science or engineering (astronomy, astrophysics, chemistry, physics, or another relevant field)
• Programming experience (e.g., Python)
• Interest in chemical composition and physicochemical processes transpiring in star-forming regions
• Competence in spoken and written English (C1 or higher)
• Experience in exposure to basic astronomy preferred