Apply For Fully Funded MSc & PhD Research Opportunities at SAAO

The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) offers students the opportunity to work with leading researchers on cutting edge astronomy and instrumentation projects. These cover observational and theoretical aspects of stellar and extragalactic astronomy, astronomical instrumentation and computer modelling. Many projects involve combining and analysing data from different wavelengths, e.g. optical data from SAAO/SALT with radio data from MeerKAT and X-ray measurements from spacecraft. There are also numerous opportunities for collaboration with national and international partners. Details are given in the project descriptions.

Projects

PhD

• Transients in the Rubin Observatory LSST era 
• Ultracompact binaries in the southern hemisphere
• Fast transients in the local universe 
• Accretion in Be X-ray binaries
• The Galactic low mass X-ray binary population 
• Multi-wavelength studies of jets and accretion in low mass X-ray binaries 
• The evolution of Brightest Cluster Galaxies with BEAMS 
• Multiwavelength studies of the radio pulsar population of the Large Magellanic Cloud 

MSc

• Transients in the Rubin Observatory LSST era 
• Transient and variables in star clusters 
• Fast transients in the local universe 
• Extended radio sources in the SMC 
• Long-term multiwavelength monitoring of gamma-ray binaries 
• Disc variability in Be/X-ray binaries 
• Exploiting MeerKAT’s discovery of vast numbers of radio point sources
• A new spectrograph: Characterization and early transient science
• Exploring the properties of the known CV sample using astrometric, variability, and multi-wavelength all-sky surveys
• Young massive star clusters in circumnuclear starburst rings 
• A systematic search for remnant and restarted radio source populations in a multi-frequency survey

Application process

• To do postgraduate research at SAAO, students must register with a South African university. Those who require funding must apply to the National Research Foundation (NRF), following the standard procedures.
• Note that NRF is advising students to apply as soon as possible to prevent IT overload near the cut-off dates.
• Students of any nationality are eligible to apply for NRF bursaries; however, strong preference is given to South African citizens and permanent residents.

If you are a student wishing to do research at SAAO under the (co)supervision of an SAAO staff member, you should:

1. Send your CV to the SAAO staff member(s) offering the project(s) you are interested in. Discuss the research with them to determine if you have the required qualifications, skills and abilities to undertake the project. You may contact as many potential supervisors as you like.
2. If an SAAO staff member agrees to supervise you, discuss with them which university you should apply to register with.
3. Apply to the NRF for funding through the university and send your application number to your SAAO supervisor.

The closing date for NRF applications via UCT is July 2, 2021, but it will probably be different for other universities. Completing the NRF application will take time and requires various documents and letters. Therefore, you must complete your discussions with your potential supervisor(s) well before the deadline.

If you require funding, you must ensure that you qualify for NRF support as this is the primary mechanism we have to provide you with a bursary.

Any general enquiries about postgraduate studies at SAAO should be sent to pdp@saao.ac.za. 

Working at the SAAO

SAAO’s headquarters are situated in the historic suburb named after it – Observatory. The park-like grounds, bordered by a wetland, are a peaceful environment conducive to study and research. Regular colloquia and other scientific meetings provide opportunities to engage with staff, students and visiting scientists, including those from the University of Cape Town (UCT), University of the Western Cape (UWC)  and The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), which are nearby.

Training and service work opportunities are offered in observing, data analysis (including supercomputing and handling big data), coding (e.g. Python, Java, C++), the design and construction of astronomical instrumentation, web development, English writing and verbal communication skills, public relations and outreach. Students fluent in SA languages other than English are encouraged to help with writing/translating education material. The International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD www.astro4dev.org) is based at SAAO, and students are also encouraged to help them with resource development. The African Astronomical Society (AfAS) is also hosted on the SAAO site, facilitating collaboration across the continent.

In addition to their research supervisor, students benefit from the support of SAAO administrative and technical staff. In addition, they will have access to a mentor (usually an early career member of the research staff or a postdoc).

Most students supervised by an SAAO staff member are expected to spend at least half their time at SAAO (Cape Town). Still, they are encouraged to visit their universities and to attend relevant conferences and meetings. In addition, they will be asked to sign an MoU with SAAO and their supervisor that commits them to at least 40-hours per annum service work for SAAO. In return, they will be provided with:

• Office space and resources;
• Computer resources; details depend on the research project,
• Funding for supervisor-approved observing;
• Funding for supervisor-approved conference or workshop attendance, national and international;
• Medical insurance;
• One return trip to their home, at the start and end of their studies, if they are not from the Cape Town area;
• Other approved research expenses;
• Grant top-ups for appropriately qualified students receiving only partial NRF funding if no other funding available (students who are eligible for total NRF funding must apply for it).

In addition, international students will be funded for their visa, return air ticket to their place of residence and the international component of their university registration fee.

Covid-19 restrictions: Service work will not be required during lock-down. All standard Covid protocols are observed at SAAO, and students will be supported in working from home should that be necessary.

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