The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) invites applications for the SAAO Prize Ph.D. Scholarship from academically excellent students who wish to pursue Ph.D. studies in optical or multi-wavelength astrophysics. Additionally, Applicants must be South Africans or citizens of other African countries who have, or are studying towards, an MSc degree in physics, astrophysics, or a closely related area, and must be ready to register for a Ph.D. at the start of the 2020 academic year.

Moreover, The scholarship will be based at SAAO and provides a stipend of R180 000 per year, as well as support for equipment and travel. Further,  The successful applicant will be expected to register at a South African university by the end of February 2020. Depending on their choice of project, the student may be free to choose a university or be required to register at the University of a co-supervisor.
The following projects are available in this round:

• Mass Loss, Pulsation and Atmospheric Mixing in Intermediate Mass Stars
• 3D Simulations of Stellar Interactions
• Planetary and substellar companions to Planetary nebulae and other post-AGB stars
• Also, Transients in the LSST Era
• Vertical structure evolution of spiral galaxy disks using optical and near-infrared integral field spectroscopy
• Further, Design, development, and commissioning of a fiber slit-mask integral-field unit for SALT prime-focus spectrograph

Benefit

• Up to R180,000 per year (plus support for tuition, equipment, and travel).

Eligibility

• Open to South Africans or citizens of other African countries;
• Applicants should hold or are studying towards, an MSc degree in physics, astrophysics. Also,  a closely related area (ideally with some astronomy background), and must be ready to register for a PhD at the start of the 2020 academic year (typically the end of February 2020).

Selection Criteria

• The selection criteria will be academic merit, motivation, aptitude for research. also,  transformation considerations, and results of the interview.