Job Description

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/2026/SummerResearch2026.html), there are seven exciting individual projects topics to choose from. Please visit https://eso.org/sci/meetings/2026/SummerResearch2026.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 F: Centers of Dwarfs or the Outskirts of Giants: Where Do More Pristine Stars Form?

ESO Summer Research Programme – Project F

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Garching




Deadline 31/01/2026


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 F:

Project F: Centers of Dwarfs or the Outskirts of Giants: Where Do More Pristine Stars Form?

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Supervisors:

Martyna Chruslinska, Geza Csörnyei



The chemical composition of material within galaxies evolves as elements produced inside stars are gradually released to the surrounding medium. New generations of stars then form from this enriched material, which affects their properties and their ability to produce a wide range of energetic cosmic events - from luminous explosions seen across the electromagnetic spectrum to the formation of black holes detected through gravitational waves.



However, the pace of chemical enrichment varies among galaxies of different types. In this project, we will explore where the most chemically simple stars and related phenomena - such as superluminous and failed supernovae, and massive stellar black holes - are most likely to be found: in the many small galaxies, or in the outer regions of large galaxies. To do this, we will use a combination of semi-analytical models and Python-based computing.

Reports to:

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Head of the Office for Science Garching

Language skills:

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Students must be proficient in both spoken and written English.

Contract:

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The duration of the ESO Summer Research Programme is six weeks: 15 June - 24 July 2026.


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:

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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:

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Garching near Munich, Germany.

Application:

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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/2026/SummerResearch2026.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/2026/SummerResearch2026/eligibilitydates1.html; you have read Code of Conduct for ESO Workshops & Conferences: https://www.eso.org/sci/meetings/2026/SummerResearch2026/code.html; the information provided in your application is correct and complete to the best of your knowledge.

Deadline for applications is 31 January 2026.

Interviews are expected to be held in late March 2026, online via MS Teams.



For any enquiries related to the programme contact us via: summerresearch@eso.org

ESO Values

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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

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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

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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.

Contact us

Email vacancy@eso.org


ESO