PhD Studentship: Hierarchically Modelling Stars and Exoplanets

In 2026 ESA will launch the PLATO space mission to observe high-precision photometric time series data for hundreds of thousands of stars. Many of these stars will have detectable signatures of acoustic modes of oscillation (asteroseismic data) that tells us a wealth of information about the properties and internal structure of these stars. In addition, a significant number of these stars will have detected extrasolar planets. This data provides a unique opportunity to study well characterised exoplanet systems and their host stars.

The aim of this PhD project is to produce new insights into the population of Galactic stars and exoplanet demographics in the Galaxy by using the power of the PLATO asteroseismic dataset. These insights will provide constraints on the structure and evolution of the Milky Way and on planet formation and evolution mechanisms. Further still, there is the chance to study planet occurrence rates as a function of planet/star characteristics with a precision that is unimaginable with today's datasets.

During the project, we will use Bayesian Hierarchical Models to statistically infer properties of the stars and the stellar populations of the Milky Way and use neural network emulators of stellar evolution coupled with Hamiltonian Monte Carlo samplers to model tens of thousands of stars simultaneously. The successful PhD student will be able to play a role in the development and implementation of our models and to drive the science related to the study of the Milky Way and its exoplanet demographics.

Information about the Sun, Stars & Exoplanets research group in Birmingham can be found at www.birmingham.ac.uk/sasp/. Our group has 6 permanent academics, 11 postdoctoral researchers, and 8 PhD students and is gender-balanced at every level of seniority. Last year a PhD student within our group was awarded the Royal Astronomical Society’s prize for best PhD thesis in the UK.

The School of Physics and Astronomy is an Institute of Physics Juno Champion since 2014 and holder of the Athena SWAN Silver Award. Both initiatives recognise the School’s commitment to promote diversity and equality, and to encourage better practice for all members of the community, whilst also working towards developing an equitable working culture in which all students and staff can achieve their full potential. We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, and encourage applications from traditionally under-represented groups in physics and astronomy including, but not limited to, women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic.

Note that we do not accept CVs and applications sent directly to us by email. Follow the links towards the application portal.

To apply, please click the ‘Apply’ button above.

For information contact: sasp-phd@contacts.bham.ac.uk
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/how-to-apply/advertised-phd

Deadline for application is 15 January.

Funding notes:

The fully-funded scholarship for UK students includes tuition fees and a living stipend. This year, we are unlikely to be in a position to offer a fully-funded international scholarship.

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