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Working at ESO
Are you interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment? Do you feel your profile matches our requirements? Learn more about our current vacancies and apply online. Read more..
The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.
ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor (home to ALMA), and the ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany.
At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory, and will host and operate the southern array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the world's largest and most sensitive high energy gamma-ray observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA. On Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.
Within the Directorate for Science at its Headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany, ESO is inviting university students to apply to our ESO Summer Research Programme. The ESO Summer Research Programme is an opportunity for university students from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields who have not yet started a PhD programme and have completed at least two years of their degree.
Within the scope of this programme (https://eso.org/sci/meetings/2025/SummerResearch2025.html), there are seven exciting individual projects topics to choose from. Please visit https://www.eso.org/sci/meetings/2025/SummerResearch2025/projects.html to review all seven project topics, as you can only apply to one.
Your application is welcome if you would like to be considered for Project A: Recovering the orbit of interacting binaries
Applications for the ESO Summer Research Programme will be considered from students taking any astronomy, physical science, computer science or mathematical degree subjects. However, it is expected that students have some knowledge of physics, programming, data analysis techniques and, preferably, astronomy.
Students will be selected for the programme based on their academic achievements, research potential and likelihood to significantly benefit from the experience. Particular attention will be given to the motivation of the students to join the programme and specific motivation for Project A:
Project A: Recovering the orbit of interacting binaries
(Sreejita Das, Elena Viscardi, Miguel Vioque, Nicolas Kurtovic)
During the star-formation process, stars host circumstellar disks composed of dust and gas, from which planets can form. In our galaxy, most stars are found in multiple stellar systems (two or more stars orbiting each other), where the dynamical interaction between stellar companions and their young circumstellar disks can have an irreversible impact on the planet formation potential of these objects. The effect of these interactions in planet formation is almost completely determined by the star's orbits around each other, which are mostly unknown in young binary systems. In this project, we will use observations from the ALMA Observatory to recover the orbit of young binary stars, and we will do so by following the movement of the circumstellar disks over time.
Reports to:
Head of the Office for Science Garching
Language skills:
Students must be proficient in both spoken and written English.
Contract:
The duration of the ESO Summer Research Programme is six weeks: 30 June - 8 August 2025.
Participation in the programme will only be possible on-site at ESO in Garching, near Munich.
Travel costs to/from Garching will be offered to students of the programme. Accommodation will also be provided in a shared apartment in Garching (utilities included). Students will also be provided with a modest stipend to cover living costs for the duration of the programme.
Visa Requirements:
Students that require a visa to travel/work in Germany are responsible for fulfilling the necessary requirements for obtaining a visa in good time. Successful applicants are encouraged to start the procedure as soon as they receive the offer of acceptance into the programme (approx. three months before the start of the programme). The ESO Human Resources department will also be able to provide any specifically required documents required for the visa request to the consulate/embassy.
Duty Station:
Garching near Munich, Germany.
Application:
If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit https://eso.org/sci/meetings/2025/SummerResearch2025.html for further details.
Applicants are invited to apply online at http://jobs.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include the following material:
- a Motivation Letter containing both motivation for the ESO Summer Research Programme and specifically for this project (max one page). Please state if you also have an interest in one of the other six projects offered within the scope of the ESO Summer Research Programme. A separate application is not required.
- a CV containing details of your highest qualification level / degree to date (for example, BSc or MSc). If you are currently enrolled in a programme which you have not yet finished, please state the university/institute and the start and expected finish dates. Please outline the programming languages you can use (and your level of proficiency), any experience using astronomical software, and any other relevant technical skills. Please also list any workshops, research schools, or conferences that you have attended with the corresponding dates and website if available.
- a Research Plan describing a research project that you have carried out in the past and the skills that you acquired (max. half page). Please include the university/institute where the research was undertaken and the start and end dates of the project. This could be a project as part of your degree programme or another research experience. Please note that if you have no previous experience, this will not negatively affect your application.
- the name and contact details of a Referee who is familiar with your academic or research achievements and can write a recommendation letter on your behalf. Once you enter their details in the online application form, they will automatically receive an invitation to submit the letter. To ensure your Referee has enough time to draft and upload their letter before the application deadline, you are strongly encouraged to initiate the invitation well in advance. You have the possibility to partially complete your application, initiate the invitation to your Referee, and finalise preparing your other material at a later point in time before the deadline.
By submitting an application, you verify that:
- you have read the eligibility requirements to apply for this programme and comply with them: https://www.eso.org/sci/meetings/2025/SummerResearch2025/eligibilitydates.html;
- you have read Code of Conduct for ESO Workshops & Conferences: https://www.eso.org/sci/meetings/2025/SummerResearch2025/code.html;
- the information provided in your application is correct and complete to the best of your knowledge.
Deadline for applications is 30 January 2025.
Interviews are expected to be held in late March 2025, online via MS Teams.
For any enquiries related to the programme contact us via: summerresearch@eso.org
ESO Values
An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.
The ESO values are:
ESO strives for excellence through innovation.
ESO provides outstanding services to its communities.
ESO fosters diversity and inclusion.
ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.
Achieving the above are recognized as only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes that we expect from our employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear and open communication.
Applicants to any ESO position or programme are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for interview.
Diversity
ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Please visit https://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/sustainability/dei-at-eso/ for further details.
Nationality
No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of our Member States, host states and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.