Instructions

The application deadline for the submitted form and reference letter is 30 January 2025, 23:59 CET. 

Applicants may only apply for one project, so please review all available options carefully beforehand. Multiple applications from the same applicant will be removed from the evaluation process. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

As part of the application process, one reference letter is required (details below). Applicants must initiate the request for the letter of support through the Recruitment portal. The reference letter must be submitted before the application deadline.

We strongly encourage applicants to register on the online portal well in advance of the deadline. Please note that referees will not be contacted by ESO on behalf of the applicants.

Steps of Application

1. Ensure that you fullfill the eligibility requirements.

2. Review the proposed research projects and select one that interests you, along with a second project as an alternative if desired. You may only apply for your first choice, while your second preference should be indicated on the application form. Please note that each successful applicant will be assigned to only one of the selected projects. 

3. Ensure that you have agreement from your referee to submit a letter for you before the application deadline*.

4. Open an application in the ESO Recruitment portal. There will be one vacancy in the portal per project. Select the application that has the letter of your first option project. Click on “Apply now” and fill in your contact information to start the application.

5. Trigger the invitation to your referee by writing their name and email in the form. Once you enter their details in the online application form, they will automatically receive an invitation to submit the letter. To ensure your referee has enough time to complete this, you are strongly encouraged to initiate the invitation well before the application deadline.

6. Prepare the application material:

• A Motivation Letter containing both motivation for the ESO Summer Research Programme and specifically for the chosen project (max. one page). Please state if you also have an interest in one of the other six projects offered within the scope of the ESO Summer Research Programme. It is not necessary to justify your motivation for this second project. A separate application for this second project is not required.

• A Curriculum Vitae (CV) containing details of your highest qualification level / degree to date (for example, BSc or MSc). If you are currently enrolled in a programme which you have not yet finished, please state the university/institute and the start and expected finish dates. Please outline the programming languages you can use (and your level of proficiency), any experience using astronomical software, and any other relevant technical skills. Please also list any workshops, research schools, or conferences that you have attended with the corresponding dates and website if available.

• A Research Plan describing a research project that you have carried out in the past and the skills that you acquired (max. half page). Please include the university/institute where the research was undertaken and the start and end dates of the project. This could be a project as part of your degree programme or another research experience. Please note that if you have no previous experience, this will not negatively affect your application, but you must submit a pdf file explaining this, nevertheless.

Submit your application. Once you have submitted your application, a message will be shown confirming that your application has been received and properly recorded. Please, do not contact us to ask for further confirmation of receipt. If you experience significant problems and do not see the successful completion message in the application form interface after multiple attempts to submit the form, please try using an alternative browser and do not hesitate to contact us if you experience further problems.

*The letter should be written by a lecturer/professor who is able to comment on your academic/research achievements to-date. It is important that you obtain agreement from the person writing your reference letter before submitting the application form and that the referee knows that they should comment on your achievements, strengths and capabilities and provide an overall judgement on the prospective benefits of your participation in the programme.

In case of any difficulties or questions contact us at: summerresearch@eso.org.