PhD Scholarships in Astrophysics

Call for Expressions of Interest

The Astrophysics group in the School of Physics at the University of New South Wales, Sydney is inviting Expressions of Interest for domestic and international PhD applicants.

The School of Physics is one of the leading Physics schools in Australia. It offers a world class undergraduate physics degree, as well as a postgraduate PhD research program for over 50 students. 33 academic staff conduct theoretical and experimental research in astrophysics, quantum physics, fundamental physics, and condensed matter physics.

Selected applicants will be expected to apply to the UNSW Higher Degree Research Program which also considers eligibility for the Research Training Program funding scheme, with a deadline on 9 May. Final selection of incoming PhDs will depend on success in the Research Training Program funding scheme.

We value diversity in our School and strive to foster an inclusive environment where anyone can feel welcome and valued regardless of background or identity. This call for Expressions of Interest has been made in part to increase the diversity of our applicant pool.

PhD Scholarship Details

• 3.5 years, full-time, $38,438 per annum tax free (2025 rate)
• Advanced research, culminating in a thesis, in one of the selected topics below
• Earliest international starting date: Term 1 (February) 2026, pending visa approval.
• Earliest domestic starting date: Term 3 (September) 2025

Eligibility Criteria for Admission

• First-class Honours or Masters by Research, completed or expected by end of 2025, in Astronomy, Physics, or a related discipline, and which includes at least a half-year full-time equivalent research project/thesis.
• To be competitive for an international scholarship, you need to have a demonstrated ability in conducting research (such as lead-author paper(s) in top-tier peer-review journals) or high marks (top 10%) in relevant late-year courses.
• Be able to meet the UNSW English Language Requirements

Potential Supervisors

• Nichole Barry – Epoch of Reionisation observation and analysis
• Ben Montet – Characterisation of exoplanets and their host stars
• Dennis Stello – Using asteroseismology to study stars and the Milky Way
• Caroline Foster – The impact of satellite constellations on Australian astronomy

For more details on projects, please visit the UNSW Astrophysics website.