Search the AusGO:
Public Links
Astronomer Links

Australian Gemini Undergraduate Summer Studentships

DEADLINE for applications -- Friday 31 August, 2007
Gemini South Telescope

Introduction

The twin Gemini telescopes are the among the most powerful optical/infra-red telescopes in the world. Australia is a partner in these telescopes, together with the USA, UK, Canada, Argentina and Brazil. Australian involvement in the Gemini Observatory is managed by the Australian Gemini Office, currently hosted at the Anglo-Australian Observatory.

We invite applications from undergraduate students who would like to carry out a 10 week research project at the Gemini South observatory, located in the north of Chile. Students will carry out a project using the Gemini South telescope, under the supervision of Gemini South researchers. The Australian Gemini office will pay the airfare from Australia to the town of La Serena, Chile, and provide a stipend of ~A$550 per week (gross, plus superannuation). We will also cover the cost of health insurance.

Details of the Studentships

Three studentships will be offered for the summer of 2007/8. They will last for roughly ten weeks, from mid December until the end of February. They are open to undergraduate students of any nationality currently enrolled at an Australian university who have completed at least two years of an undergraduate degree in Physics, Maths, Astronomy or Engineering.

In addition to carrying out a research project, the students will participate in a lecture course offered at Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory, jointly with a group of US summer scholars.

La Serena

About Gemini South

The Gemini South telescope is located on the mountain of Cerro Pachon, in the Chilean Andes. The observatory is headquartered in the nearby city of La Serena. The observatory will arrange accomodation for the students.

How to Apply

Prospective scholars should apply in writing to:

Dr Stuart Ryder
AGUSS Program Supervisor
Anglo-Australian Observatory
P.O. Box 296
Epping, NSW 1710
AUSTRALIA


The application should include the following:

  • A CV, including name and contact details, and your e-mail address.
  • A full listing of university courses taken, including subject names and grades.
  • A one page statement on why you would like to get one of these studentships, describing your background, and including an insight into your longer term career goals, and interests in astronomy/astrophysics/instrumentation.
  • An up-to-date copy of your university transcript.
  • You should ask two academics who are familiar with you to send us academic reference letters. E-mail to "sdr -@- aao.gov.au" is fine. The name and contact details of these referees should be included in your CV. The reference letters should reach us by the deadline.


Alternatively, you may e-mail your application materials to the address "sdr -@- aao.gov.au" (without the spaces and dashes). If your university transcript is only available in hardcopy, you may scan it and send it as a PDF or JPEG attachment.

The closing date for applicants is 31 August 2007

Past recipients

Previous AGUSS recipients are:

Questions?

If you have any queries about the studentship scheme before applying, then please feel free to contact the program supervisor Stuart Ryder by e-mail (sdr -@- aao.gov.au), or by phone at (02) 9372-4843.

Australian Gemini Office, ausgo -@- aao.gov.au