New programme for Ireland-based PhD students

On 5 June 2019, Peter Brown (left), Director of the Irish Research Council (IRC), and Xavier Barcons (right), Director General of ESO, signed an agreement initiating a studentship programme designed to enhance Ireland's involvement in ESO. The programme will give Ireland-based PhD students in astronomy or a related field the opportunity to apply for a one- or two-year studentship at one of ESO's facilities, and benefit from the co-supervision of an ESO staff astronomer as well as their supervisor from their home institute. Ireland is the newest of ESO's 16 member states, with the accession agreement having been signed on 26 September 2018.