PhD in Physics

The Space Weather group of the Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern (AIUB) is inviting applications for a PhD student to work on adaptive optics. The University of Bern hosts many domains of astronomy, from solar physics, to exoplanets, and satellite observations. The successful candidate will work in the space weather group, which combines building astronomical instrumentation, machine learning, and researching the physics of the Sun and stars. This position is part of a SERI-funded MARVIS grant. The Astronomical Institute operates the Zimmerwald Observatory with 5 telescopes from 20 cm to 1 m. The quality of images observed with telescopes is usually degraded by atmospheric turbulence. Special optical systems, known as adaptive optics (AO), can be used to counteract this image degradation, but so far none are in use at any telescope in Switzerland. The goal of this PhD position is to help design and develop an AO system for our 80 cm telescope at the Zimmerwald Observatory, test it in the laboratory and on-site, and to subsequently carry out observations. The scientific targets range from high-resolution imaging of satellites to other astronomical objects.