ESO Studentship Programme
The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere awards several studentship positions each year in both Germany and Chile. The goal of the ESO studentship program is to connect Ph.D. students and their advisors throughout the ESO community with the activities and people at one of the world's foremost observatories, and offers an invaluable training opportunity for the next generation of Astronomers and users of ESO facilities.
In Germany and Chile, positions are open to students enrolled in a university Ph.D. programme, preferentially but not necessarily in an ESO member state. Additionally, ESO provides up to two studentship positions per year at ESO Santiago for students enrolled in Chilean universities.
Watch the special ESOcast "Fast Track Your Career with the ESO Studentship Programmes" here!
There are two annual application deadlines: on April 20th and October 20th. To apply on-line, please visit the ESO recruitment portal.
The offered PhD topics are not fully funded 3-year positions. They are projects for one to two years studentships at ESO, for which interested candidates can apply at the given deadlines (two per year). Applicants have to be enrolled in a PhD programme of an external University.
For some quick facts you can download the PDF "ESO Studentship Programme at a glance". For more information, please look at the Quick links on the top-right corner of this page.
Interested applicants are encouraged to watch the video of the Guided Virtual Tour of the ESO sites:
YouTube channel [ESO Studentship Virtual Tour: road to the stars]
The tour was bradcasted live on 5 November 2020 and represents a chance for students interested in the Studentship programme to learn more about the programme, the application process, discover the ESO sites and learn more about the life of students at ESO, both in Germany a Chile.
ESOcast 149: Fast Track Your Career with the ESO Studentship Programmes
In ESOcast 149 we hear from some of ESO’s current students about their experience at ESO, and they offer their advice to those considering following in their footsteps.
ESO’s Studentship programme provides a valuable opportunity for astronomers of the future to gain experience at the most productive ground-based astronomical observatory in the world. PhD students work alongside senior astronomers and engineers in a creative, collaborative and truly international environment, in which their careers are encouraged to blossom.
