Thesis supervisor: Ágnes Kóspál
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Abbreviation of location of studies: MTA
Description of the research topic:
The "Structured Accretion Disks" ERC-funded research group invites applicants to a PhD position at Konkoly Observatory (Budapest, Hungary), on the topic of circumstellar structure around young eruptive stars. The PhD student will participate in a large systematic study of the accretion-driven eruptions of newborn stars. In order to explore the relationship between the inhomogeneous disk structure and time-variable accretion, observed light curves of young stars and synthetic light curves based on hydrodynamic simulations will be produced and analyzed. Databases from new multi-epoch all-sky photometric surveys (Gaia, Pan-STARRS, Fly’s Eye) will be analyzed to search for transient phenomena in young stars. Statistical analysis of the results will outline the general significance of the eruptive phenomenon during star formation. A follow-up study of the individual newly discovered young eruptive stars is also expected.
Required language skills: excellent enlgish Further requirements: Good knowledge of the physics of star formation, experience with photometric data processing and large databases