Decorrenza: 14 aprile 2025
The National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) – Astronomical Observatory of Trieste (OATs) offers a PhD position focused on the study of primordial galaxies and quasars (highly accreting billion solar masses black holes) at high redshift, through the analysis of state-of-the-art data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
The successful candidate will investigate the cold interstellar medium (neutral/molecular gas and dust), the warm interstellar medium (ionized gas) and the circum-galactic medium of galaxies and quasars in the early Universe (z > 4), leveraging some of the most advanced and highest-quality datasets currently available. The project will involve the analysis and interpretation of deep submillimeter and infrared observations, with the aim of characterizing the gas and dust distributions, the physical conditions, dynamics, and evolutionary properties of these systems during the first billion years of cosmic time. Studying these early epochs allow us to characterize the early growth of the first massive galaxies, which are the progenitors of the most massive galaxies that we observed in today’s Universe.
The student will join a dynamic and internationally recognized research group, a leader in the field of high-redshift galaxies and quasars study, with strong expertise in observational extragalactic astronomy and privileged access to new ALMA and JWST programs. The PhD project will offer opportunities for collaboration with national and international partners, including possible research experiences in other Italian institutes and abroad, and for participation in ongoing and future observational campaigns.
Applicants should hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in astronomy, astrophysics, or a related field at the time of enrollment. Prior experience with the analysis of interferometric or infrared data, or familiarity with high-redshift galaxy evolution, will be considered an asset, though not a prerequisite.
This position offers a stimulating scientific environment within the broader INAF network, access to world-class facilities, and training in cutting-edge techniques for data analysis and modeling in observational cosmology. The experience acquired during the PhD will allow the student to develop key capabilities to master data from new and next generation observatories, such as the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), Euclid and the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT).
For further information and application details, please contact Fabrizio Fiore (