Research Projects, Categories and Supervisors
These are the proposed research projects for LEAPS 2019. Please note that not all projects will go ahead and some may still be added in the near future. Final funding decisions lie with the Faculty sponsors. And please make a note that if you are interested in an ESA project, to check if your state is an ESA member or affiliate state.
Extreme matter accretion onto black holes
Supervisor: Ciro Pinto
Type of project: Observational, black holes, galactic evolution, X-ray data analysis, spectral fitting, (ESA)
Outbursts in accreting neutron stars as a probe of extreme magnetic field
Supervisor: Alexander Mushtukov & Simon Portegies-Zwart
Type of project: Theoretical, accretion, accretion discs, neutron stars, programming, X-rays
Characterizing astrophysical COMs in a laboratory setting
Supervisor: Harold Linnartz
Type of project: Laboratory, GREENBERG FOUNDATION, astrophysical complex organics (COMs)
Photochemistry in the atmospheres of Hot Jupiters
Supervisor: Alex Cridland
Type of project: Theoretical; chemical modeling, synthetic spectra, exoplanetary atmospheres
Using machine learning to quantify structure in star clusters
Supervisor: Oliver Lomax & Daniel Michalik
Type of project: Statistical, star clusters, n-body, Gaia, (ESA)
Searching for the young and small galaxies behind "El Gordo"
Supervisor: Bruno Ribeiro
Type of project: Observational, high redshift Universe, galaxy evolution / morphology, merging clusters, strong gravitional lensing
Exploring the clearness/cloudiness of the atmosphere of gas giant exoplanets
Supervisor: Nicolas Crouzet & Sandor Kruk
Type of project: Data analysis, exoplanets, transits, spectroscopy, programming, (ESA)
Simulating measurements of Europa plumes by JUICE
Supervisor: Hans Huybrighs
Type of project: Simulations, planetary science, programming, particle tracing, Europa, (ESA)
Chemistry of MHD disk-winds launched from planet-forming regions
Supervisor: Benoit Tabone
Type of project: Astrochemical modelling, observations, young stars, jets, outflows, infrared molecular lines, protoplanetary disks
Evaluating Massive Science Communication Programmes and understanding grassroot participation
Supervisor: Jorge Rivero-Gonzalez & Pedro Russo
Type of project: Science Communication, massive science communication programmes, grassroots initiatives, communities of practices
How large was the Milky Way 13 billion years ago?
Supervisor: Mauro Stefanon
Type of project: Observational, galaxy formation and evolution, high-redshift galaxies, galaxy sizes, massive galaxies
Massive galaxies in the EAGLE simulation: investigating the relation between dark matter halo mass and observable properties
Supervisor: Alessandro Sonnenfeld
Type of project: Computational, massive galaxies, simulations, galactic properties
Impact of charge transfer inefficiency in Euclid CCDs on cosmic shear measurements
Supervisor: Patricia Liebing & Henk Hoekstra
Type of project: Observational & Instrumentation, weak gravitational lensing, CCD, radiation damage, image analysis, programming and visualization
LOFAR eyes on black holes and star formation
Supervisor: Wendy Williams
Type of project: Observational, data analysis, black holes, star formation, radio astronomy, multiwavelength, spectral fitting
Using protoplanetary disk substructure to gauge the strength of turbulence
Supervisor: Giovanni Rosotti
Type of project: Theoretical, protoplanetary disks, turbulence, numerical simulations
Please note that the ESA projects (marked by ESA in their 'Type of project' description) are only available for students from ESA member or affiliate states (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Canada). Students from Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia and Slovenia (affilliate members) can also apply for ESA projects.
Projects not marked with ESA are held at Leiden University, and are open to any nationality.