Applications are invited for a 4-year PhD position in the field of extragalactic astronomy at the Department of Physics and Astronomy of Ghent University. The successful candidate will work in the `DustOrigin’ group of Prof. Ilse De Looze. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with Prof. Monica Relano of Universidad de Granada (Spain). The successful applicant will model the resolved lifecycle of metals and dust in a set of well-studied nearby galaxies with a variety of (already in-hand) observational data using chemical evolution models to infer constraints on metal yields of stars and supernovae, dust depletion levels and the efficiency of dust formation and destruction processes in the interstellar medium. Computing skills and prior experience in chemical evolution modelling, interstellar medium studies and galaxy evolution will be considered an asset. The position is fully funded for four years, and sufficient funding is available for short and long-term visits to the partner institute in Granada.

Ghent is located in the Flemish speaking part of Belgium, some 50 km north of Brussels. Ghent is renowned for its beautiful medieval town centre, its lively cultural and music scene, and its vibrant student life. Ghent University is an international, highly rated university with more than 40,000 students. The astronomy group's expanding research interests include supernovae, nearby galaxies, infrared astronomy, hydrodynamical simulations/radiative transfer, galaxy formation and evolution, high-redshift observations and observational cosmology.

Informal inquiries are welcome (ilse.delooze@ugent.be, mrelano@ugr.es) and applications sent by Friday February 26, 2021 will be fully considered. Candidates must possess a master's degree in Physics, Astrophysics, or a similar field before the starting date. Applicants should submit their CV and letter of motivation, and arrange for two reference letters to be sent by February 26, 2021 to ilse.delooze@ugent.be . The starting date can be as early as April 1st 2021 and should be no later than January 1st 2022.