Graduate Student Research Opportunities in High Energy Astrophysics

Background

A cooperative graduate program between the UMD (University of Maryland at College Park) and the Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics (now ASD) of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has proven to be very successful. Under this program, graduate studies at the university and research at GSFC lead to a PhD degree in physics or astronomy at the UMD.

The aim is to bring together a select group of exceptionally qualified students with leading investigators in high energy astrophysics. The associated research program is designed to encompass a variety of subject areas including nuclear astrophysics, X-ray astronomy, gamma ray astronomy, related astronomical studies in the radio, IR, visible & UV, cosmic rays, high energy particle physics, gravitational wave astrophysics and the theoretical considerations underlying physical processes throughout the universe.

Developments in experimental techniques such as broadband X-ray focusing optics, interferometry, quantum calorimetry for X-ray spectroscopy, imaging gamma ray spectrometers and superconducting magnetic spectrometers, as well as advances in fundamental theory and large scale computations, have created a totally new approach. As a result, high energy astrophysics has become one of the most fruitful and advanced areas in modern physics, astronomy and observational cosmology.

Status

Graduate students have long been an important component of the personnel in Goddard's EUD, and there is a history of productive relationships between lab scientists and graduate students. In particular, 56 students have already earned their PhD degrees based on dissertation research carried out in the EUD. This includes 24 in X-ray astronomy and 15 in astrophysics theory, with the remainder being in other related areas (e.g., cosmic ray physics, gamma-ray astronomy). Almost all of these were achieved via our joint program with the UMD, although other universities have sometimes been involved. Nine PhD dissertations have been successfully completed at the EUD in the last two years, 6 in UMD/physics, 1 in UMD/astronomy, 1 via University of Minnesota and 1 via Penn State. Twelve graduate students are currently carrying out their dissertation research at the EUD, 7 in UMD/astronomy, 4 in UMD/physics and 1 via Stanford University.

We note with pride that most of the students who earned their PhD degrees via our joint program with the UMD are now actively involved in post-graduate astrophysics research. Recently, we have initiated further joint programs in high energy astrophysics, via the JCA (Joint Center for Astrophysics) with UMBC (University of Maryland Baltimore County), and the CAS (Center for Astrophysical Sciences) at the JHU (Johns Hopkins University).

Process

A typical first-year graduate student is supported via a university sponsored fellowship and/or teaching assistantship. Those applying for admission to the UMD graduate program (in physics or astronomy) may compete for a comprehensive EUD-sponsored fellowship. During the summer following the first academic year there is the opportunity of part-time employment at the EUD. Upon passing the qualifying exam for PhD candidacy and exhibiting appropriate potential, a GSFC sponsored university RGA (research graduate assistantship) at the EUD is available to each student for completing the degree requirements.

Contacts