Postdoctoral positions and DAWN Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Cosmic Dawn Center

The Cosmic Dawn Center (DAWN) invites applications for both the DAWN Postdoctoral Fellowship and postdoctoral positions to work on specific projects.

DAWN is a Center of Excellence funded by the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF) and is located in the Copenhagen area at the Niels Bohr Institute (NBI), University of Copenhagen and the Space division of the Danish Technical University (DTU-Space). In addition, DAWN has several associates at major research institutes across Europe, North America, and Australia. DAWN brings together experts in all aspects of early Universe research and is deeply involved in major existing and upcoming surveys with JWST and HST (e.g. SPURS, COSMOS3D, FRESCO, COSMOS-Web, RUBIES, BEACON, and CLUTCH), ALMA (e.g. CHAMPS), and Euclid (e.g. Cosmic Dawn Survey of the deep fields), as well as simulations.

DAWN Postdoctoral Fellowships

DAWN Postdoctoral Fellowships are intended for outstanding scientists whose research falls within DAWN’s research themes focused on the early Universe: first stars, high-redshift galaxy evolution, reionization and evolution of the IGM, high-redshift transients and supernovae, dust and ISM in the early Universe, massive galaxy evolution, and dark matter. DAWN Postdoctoral Fellows are expected to pursue their own independent, cutting-edge research programs in collaboration with DAWN members.

Postdoctoral positions

Up to two postdoctoral position are available as part of the DFF Sapere Aude-funded project “Revealing Massive Stars at Cosmic Dawn” in Associate Professor Charlotte Mason’s group at DAWN/NBI to work on both observational and theoretical projects on galaxy formation and reionization, with a particular focus on JWST spectroscopy from the SPURS survey. Applicants with interests and expertise in any of galaxy formation, stellar populations, Lyman-alpha emission, IGM/CGM evolution, galaxy-dark matter connections at high redshift, JWST NIRSpec spectroscopy, statistical inference and comparing hydrodynamical simulations to observations are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional postdoctoral positions may be available to work on specific projects at DAWN funded through individual group leadership grants. Applicants with research interests in any of the above DAWN research themes are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants to this position will be automatically considered for all available postdoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship positions at DAWN/NBI. We note a separation application is required for applications to the positions at DAWN/DTU in the group of Associate Professor Kasper Heintz.

DAWN Postdoctoral Fellows and postdocs are encouraged to collaborate with DAWN’s international associates, and have the opportunity to supervise students and to apply for grants and observing proposals as PI. More information on DAWN’s activities and researchers is available at https://cosmicdawn.dk .

DAWN Postdoctoral Fellowships and postdoc positions are for up to three years. The employment can start as early as Spring 2027 or upon agreement with the chosen candidate.

Further information on the Department is linked at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/ . Inquiries about the positions can be made to Associate Professor Charlotte Mason charlotte.mason@nbi.ku.dk .

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff. Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

DAWN Postdoctoral Fellows and postdocs receive generous support for computing, travel and publication expenses. Most non-Danish citizens are eligible for a favorable tax scheme. Copenhagen is a beautiful, family-friendly city with a large international community, a lively and diverse cultural scene, and a very high quality of life. We offer an attractive starting salary plus pension and negotiation for a salary supplement is possible. Benefits include six weeks paid vacation and generous benefits including: pension, full health cover (also for family), paid sick leave and paid parental leave. More on employment conditions and living in Copenhagen: http://ism.ku.dk .

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Cover letter – maximum 1 page, describing your motivation for applying to DAWN

• Research plan – maximum 3 pages including figures and references, description of current and future research plans

• Curriculum vitae, including a list of up to 3 people who could be contacted for references

• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree, if applicable, or equivalent – a letter from your university/supervisor stating you have completed requirements for these degrees and are in the final year of a PhD is fine)

• Publication list

The deadline for applications is 6 November 2026, 23:59 GMT +1 .

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .