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RSAA PhD Degree Program

Graduate Program in Astronomy and Astrophysics

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Program Structure

Supervisory Panels

Thesis Projects

Overseas Work

Careers for PhD Graduates in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Scholarships

 

The Graduate Program in Astronomy and Astrophysics at RSAA offers students access to some of the most advanced facilities in the field.

The program draws on the expertise of some 25 RSAA astronomers as well as researchers working in the Departments of Mathematics and Physics and Theoretical Physics in The Faculties, and the Anglo Australian Observatory and the Australia Telescope National Facility.

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Astronomy and Astrophysics PhD Program Structure

The Astronomy and Astrophysics PhD program is a full-time program of up to a maximum of four years duration.   As both ANU PhD Scholarships and Australian Postgraduate Awards (APAs) run for up to a maximum of three and a half years the expectation is that students will complete and submit their theses within three and a half years.

The first three months of the program are usually spent on a small research project, chosen by the student in consultation with the supervisor or program convenor, and on acquiring sufficient background knowledge to develop a viable thesis proposal by the end of this period, or shortly thereafter. The initial project is intended to extend the student's knowledge of current research topics as well as develop their knowledge of the theory and the techniques used by professional astronomers to conduct research. Students must do a substantial amount of guided reading. Students are also expected to attend Observatory colloquia given by staff, students and visiting astronomers.

--> Depending on their previous history of Astronomy and Astrophysics formal studies, students may be required during their first two years to attend lecture courses given by members of the Program and to submit the required course work. These lectures generally comprise the Astronomy and Astrophysics Honours courses. Students without any previous formal astronomical studies would be expected to attend and be assessed on 4 of the 6 offered courses. The number and nature of the courses required will be determined by the supervisor or program convenor in consultation with the student.

RSAA PhD students must adhere to the following timeline.

Note that it is a University requirement that full-time students devote at least 40 hours per week to their PhD research.

Stage of Candidature	RSAA Requirement for full-time PhD Candidature
Year 1
months 1-3	Enrolment, small research project Class-work as agreed with Convenors
3-9 months	Preparation for, and commencing, thesis: Thesis proposal and confirmation of Supervisory Panel membership. Class-work as agreed with Convenors
9-12 months	Submission of Annual Research Progress Report and Annual Research Plan
Year 2
18-24 months	Completion of Mid Term Review
21-24 months	Submission of 2nd Annual Research Progress Report and Annual Research Plan
Year 3
33-36 months	Submission of 3rd Annual Research Progress Report and Annual Research Plan
Year 4
36-42 months	Notification of Intent to Submit thesis, and submission of thesis
45-48 months	Submission of 4th Annual Research Progress Report and Annual Research Plan (If thesis not already submitted)

 

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Supervisory Panels

A supervisory panel consists of at least three members including at least one supervisor and two other members who may be supervisors or advisors. During the first six months of a course the convenor of the program chairs the supervisory panel for all PhD students. Subsequently, a tenured or senior non-tenured member of the program staff is appointed as main supervisor and chairs the panel. From time to time, depending on the topic approved for the PhD thesis, additional supervisors may also be appointed from other observatories in Australia (eg the Anglo-Australian Observatory and the Australia Telescope National Facility).

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Thesis Projects

Thesis projects are offered in all the areas of astronomy and astrophysics within the current research interests of academic staff, although some topics may not be on offer on every occasion. A number of staff members have expertise in the design of astronomical instrumentation, and there may be opportunities for students to include instrumental development as a substantial part of their thesis work, although not usually to the complete exclusion of undertaking some astronomical research with the instrumentation concerned.

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Overseas Work

It is possible for a student to spend some time undertaking research related to their thesis at another institution in Australia or overseas. A period of overseas work at a specific facility or attendance at an overseas conference is not unusual, if a good case can be made.

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Careers for PhD Graduates in Astronomy and Astrophysics

This Graduate Program provides an excellent training for a career in many fields. Foremost, it is a preparation for research work in the discipline of astronomy itself. Most of the Program's graduates proceed initially to a postdoctoral position (nearly always overseas) which broadens their range of research experience. After four to six years of postdoctoral work at a number of different places, it is quite usual for graduates to obtain a more permanent position, either at an observatory where the work is entirely research based, or at a university with the traditional mix of research and lecturing responsibilities.

The technological expertise acquired in the Program is very marketable in other careers as well. A training in image processing, in instrument and computer applications, and in high- level problem-solving, is of very wide application. Graduates of the Program are to be found in meteorology, computer management, the chemical industry, business consultancy, banking and finance, a religious order, and secondary school teaching.

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Scholarships

For information on scholarships and how to apply, please consult RSAA Scholarships page

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