Institute for Astronomy

PhD Projects 2025

PhD Research Projects on offer at the IfA

At the Institute for Astronomy, we study every astronomical scale from the solar system up to the large-scale structure of the Universe. Listed below, you will find the wide range of PhD projects that are offered for entry in September 2025. You will also find some short videos from supervisors that introduce their projects.

When you apply for a PhD place at the IfA, we strongly encourage you to select 4 projects from 4 different supervisors to maximize your chances for a good match. Those invited to interview will be given the opportunity to meet their selected supervisors either in-person or virtually. After the interview days have concluded, we will make offers matched to a specific project and supervisor. 

Active Galactic Nuclei

Astrobiology

Astronomical Instrumentation

Computational Astrophysics

Cosmology

Exoplanets

Galaxy Formation & Evolution

Milky Way & Local Universe

Solar System