PhD Fellowships and Postdoc in Astrophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrochemistry at the University of Copenhagen University of Copenhagen in Denmark

The Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen is advertising multiple opportunities in astrophysics, planetary science, astrochemistry, and related research areas.

Openings included in this post:

• Half-Time Science Communicator and Project Administrator for the OceanNexus project, an interdisciplinary Horizon Europe project focused on climate tipping points in the ocean, marine ecology, society, and Earth system modelling.
• Postdoc in Astrophysics and Planetary Science working on the chemical composition of protoplanetary disks, life-enabling molecules, JWST and ALMA observations, and preparation for future infrared facilities.
• Two PhD fellowships in Astrophysics and Planetary Science focused on the chemistry of planet formation, interstellar ices, complex organic molecules, star and planet formation, and astrochemical evolution.

Research themes and methods: observational astrophysics, infrared and sub-millimeter spectroscopy, JWST, ALMA, protoplanetary disks, radiative transfer, numerical modelling, astrochemistry, laboratory ice spectra, and science communication/project administration.

Institution and environment: The positions are hosted at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, in a collaborative and international research environment. The PhD projects are linked to the Astrophysics and Planetary Science section and, in one case, the Villum Young Investigator project “Chemistry meets Astrophysics: pathways to life-enabling ingredients during planet formation”; another set is part of the Center for Interstellar Catalysis.

Eligibility highlights: The postdoc requires a PhD in astronomy, astrophysics, or a related field, plus strong data-handling and Python skills. The PhD fellowships require a degree equivalent to a Danish master’s degree in physics, chemistry, biology, astrophysics, astrochemistry, planetary science, or related fields. Experience with astronomical data analysis, radiative transfer, numerical modelling, or astrochemistry is advantageous.

Funding/employment: The postdoc is a 2.5-year fixed-term full-time academic position with salary and pension. The PhD fellowships are full-time for up to 3 years under the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), with salary and pension according to Danish academic agreements.

Application window: Deadlines are 22 May 2026 for the science communicator/project administrator role, 26 May 2026 for the postdoc and one PhD call, and 27 May 2026 for the other PhD call.