University of Newcastle
1 week ago
University of Newcastle PhD Scholarship
PhD Scholarship in Characterisation of Water World Exoplanets (Observation-focused and Modelling-focused) University of Newcastle in Australia
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Astronomy
Funding
One scholarship is available to domestic and international students and provides a stipend for 4 years. A second scholarship is available to domestic students and provides a stipend for 3.5 years. Funding also includes generous support for project-related costs such as computing resources, travel to domestic and international conferences, workshops, and collaborative visits, plus a relocation allowance of up to $1,500. The international-candidate package includes Overseas Student Health Cover at
Deadline
Nov 9, 2026
Country
Australia
University
University of Newcastle
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About this position
PhD scholarship opportunity at the University of Newcastle in Australia on the characterisation of water world exoplanets. Two project options are available: an observation-focused project analysing James Webb Space Telescope data for water world candidates, and a modelling-focused project developing atmospheric and climate simulations for sub-Neptunes and water worlds.
The research is supervised by Dr Tom Evans-Soma and sits at the intersection of astronomy, physics, planetary atmospheres, atmospheric retrieval, climate modelling, and exoplanet habitability. The observation project focuses on JWST datasets, disentangling planetary signals from instrumental artefacts and stellar noise, retrieving atmospheric composition and temperature, and estimating the frequency and habitability of water worlds. The modelling project focuses on extending climate tools to water-rich atmospheres, investigating circulation, cloud formation, heat transport, and comparing simulations with observed spectra.
Funding is available for both domestic and international students. One scholarship offers a 4-year stipend; another offers a 3.5-year stipend for domestic students. The package also includes project-related research support, computing resources, travel to conferences/workshops/collaborative visits, and a relocation allowance of up to $1,500. For international candidates, Overseas Student Health Cover at single rate is included.
Applicants must meet the minimum admission eligibility criteria. To apply, email the supervisor with your preferred project option (observation-focused, modelling-focused, or either), and include referee contact details plus attached transcript, CV, and research statement. Deadline: 09 November 2026.
Funding details
One scholarship is available to domestic and international students and provides a stipend for 4 years. A second scholarship is available to domestic students and provides a stipend for 3.5 years. Funding also includes generous support for project-related costs such as computing resources, travel to domestic and international conferences, workshops, and collaborative visits, plus a relocation allowance of up to $1,500. The international-candidate package includes Overseas Student Health Cover at
What's required
Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility criteria for admission. Candidates should indicate whether they prefer the observation-focused project, the modelling-focused project, or either. They must provide contact details for an academic referee, a scanned academic transcript, a CV of maximum 3 pages, and a research statement of maximum 2 pages describing prior research, research interests, and alignment with the project.
How to apply
Email Tom Evans-Soma to express interest. State your preferred project option and include referee contact details in the email body. Attach your academic transcript, CV, and research statement as separate documents. Send the email by 5pm on 09 November 2026.
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