Research Position; PhD student; m​/f​/d

Job Overview

The Faculty of Physics, Cosmology and Astrophysics group has the following job opening:
Research Position (PhD student) (m/f/d) :
Wiss
25547

• starting: 01.03.2026 or as soon as possible
• part-time 65 %
• salary according to Remuneration level 13 TV-L
• fixed-term

The ErUM-IFT-2 project "Information Field Theory for Experiments at Large Research Facilities" has a PhD opening in the field of data-intensive radio astronomy. Methods of information field theory will be used to characterise the properties of radio antennas as used in modern radio interferometers (e.g. MeerKAT, LOFAR, SKA). The goal is to establish accurate models for antenna responses and describe their uncertainties in order to improve imaging techniques at large radio astronomy facilities.

The project will be carried out in the Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics working group (Prof. Schwarz) at the Faculty of Physics, in close cooperation with the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (Garching) and the German Center for Astrophysics (Görlitz).

• working on the research project's questions (70 %)
• presenting the results at conferences and publishing them in scientific journals (20 %)
• documenting the project and organizing project meetings (10 %)

• salary according to Remuneration level 13 TV-L
• fixed-term 3 years (§ 2 (1) sentence 1 of the WissZeitVG; length may differ in individual cases)
• part-time 65 %
• internal and external training opportunities
• variety of health, consulting and prevention services
• reconcilability of family and work
• flexible working hours
• good transport connection
• collegial working environment
• open and pleasant working atmosphere
• exciting, varied tasks

• completed university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in physics, astronomy, or electrical engineering
• good programming skills (Python or C++)
• good English skills (spoken and written)
• interest and enthusiasm for scientific issues
• good communication skills
• independent, autonomous and committed way of working
• cooperative and team‑orientated working style

• experience with research in teams
• knowledge of the fundamentals of Bayesian statistics
• knowledge of the fundamentals of radio astronomy

We are looking forward to receiving your application with two letters of recommendation. Please preferably use our online form via the application button below.

Final date to receive applications: 28.01.2026

Contact
Prof. Dr. Dominik Schwarz
‑6223
dsch
Postal Address
Universität Bielefeld
Fakultät für Physik
Susi v. Reder
Postfach 10 01 31
33501 Bielefeld

The university welcomes applications from women. This is particularly true with regard to both academic and technical posts and positions in information technology as well as skilled crafts and trades. Applications from suitably qualified handicapped and severely handicapped persons are explicitly encouraged.