Postdoctoral position and DAWN Fellowship at the Cosmic Dawn Center

The Cosmic Dawn Center (DAWN) at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, invites applications for up to two Post-doctoral positions or DAWN Fellowships within galaxy formation and astrophysical transients. The positions are part of dedicated research projects funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF)  and the European Research Council (ERC).

DAWN is a Center of Excellence funded by the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF) and is located in the Copenhagen area at the Niels Bohr Institute (NBI), University of Copenhagen and the Space division of the Danish Technical University (DTU-Space). In addition, DAWN has several associates at major research institutes across Europe, North America, and Australia. DAWN brings together experts in all aspects of early Universe research and is deeply involved in major existing and upcoming surveys with JWST and HST (e.g. COSMOS3D, FRESCO, COSMOS-Web, MoM, ALT, RUBIES, BEACON, and CLUTCH), ALMA (e.g. CHAMPS, PHOENIX, NOIR), and Euclid (e.g. Cosmic Dawn Survey of the deep fields).

The start date is ordinarily September 1, 2026, but can be subject to negotiation.

DAWN Fellowships

DAWN Fellowships are intended for outstanding scientists whose research falls within DAWN’s research themes focused on the early Universe: first stars, high-redshift galaxy evolution, reionization and evolution of the IGM, high-redshift transients and supernovae, dust and ISM in the early Universe, massive galaxy evolution, and dark matter. DAWN Fellows are expected to pursue their own independent, cutting-edge research programs.

Postdoctoral positions

One Post-doctoral position is available as part of the DFF Sapere Aude-funded project “PRIMORDIAL: Charting Cosmic Dawn from primordial matter to the formation of stars in galaxies” in Assistant Professor Kasper Heintz’ group at DAWN/NBI to work on observational projects on star and galaxy formation in the early Universe with cutting-edge data from JWST and ALMA. Applicants with interests and experience in any of galaxy formation, Lyman-alpha absorption, ISM/CGM evolution at high redshifts, JWST NIRSpec spectroscopy, ALMA spectral data, and statistical inference are strongly encouraged to apply.

One postdoctoral position is available as part of the ERC-funded project: “HEAVYMETAL: Nuclear and astrophysical origin of the heavy elements” in Professor Darach Watson’s group at DAWN/NBI to work on observations and/or radiative transfer of neutron star merger ejecta (i.e. kilonovae). Applicants with interests and experience in any of astrophysical transients, spectroscopic data analysis, and radiative-transfer modeling are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants will be automatically considered for all available postdoctoral and Fellowship positions at DAWN, at both NBI and DTU locations.

DAWN Fellows and postdocs are encouraged to collaborate with DAWN’s international associates, and have the opportunity to supervise students and to apply for grants and observing proposals as PI. More information on DAWN’s activities and researchers is available at https://cosmicdawn.dk.

The post-doc positions are for two years with the possibility for an additional year of extension. The employment is scheduled to begin in fall 2026 or upon agreement with the chosen candidate.

Further information on the Department is linked at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/. Inquiries about the positions can be made to Assistant Professor Kasper Heintz or Prof. Darach Watson.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff. Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

DAWN Fellows and postdocs receive generous support for computing, travel and publication expenses. Most non-Danish citizens are eligible for a favorable tax scheme. Copenhagen is a beautiful, family-friendly city with a large international community, a lively and diverse cultural scene, and a very high quality of life. We offer an attractive starting salary plus pension and negotiation for a salary supplement is possible. Benefits include six weeks paid vacation and generous benefits including: pension, full health cover (also for family), paid sick leave and paid parental leave. More on employment conditions and living in Copenhagen: http://ism.ku.dk.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Cover letter – maximum 1 page, describing your motivation for applying to DAWN
• Research plan – maximum 3 pages including figures and references, description of current and future research plans
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of up to 3 people who could be contacted for references
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree, if applicable, or equivalent – a letter from your university/supervisor stating you have completed requirements for these degrees and are in the final year of a PhD is fine)
• Publication list
• Contact details for 2–3 references

The deadline for applications is 14 December 2025, 23:59 GMT +1.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/