Research

Research topics and interests in stellar and planetary astrophysics

My main research interests are late stages of stellar evolution, which are investigated using a variety of methods including in particular asteroseismology and stellar atmosphere modelling; and extra-solar planets, where the focus is on detection and confirmation methods. If you are a PhD/Master/Bachelor/First-year-project student interested in a thesis topic in any of the fields described here (see also "Student training" below), please contact me directly. See here for a complete list of my publications.

Pulsating stars and asteroseismolgy

Light curve of the pulsating sdB star PG1605+072 as observed by the MSST campaign in 2002

Extra-solar planet search with the timing method

Artist's impression of the giant planet in the V391 Peg system, where the host star is an evolved pulsating sdB star

Transiting extra-solar planet search

Binary systems

Sizes relative to the Sun of the stars and their orbital distance in the SDSSJ212531.92-010745.9 system (containing a hot PG1159 white dwarf star and a highly irradiated low-mass companion)

Telescope networks and data reduction techniques

Stellar atmosphere modelling

Optical model spectra of hot hydrogen-rich white dwarf stars at different effective temperatures

Fun side projects

Asteroid discoveries, the accretion geometry of cataclysmic variables, stars pulsating in strange modes, observations of supernova explosions, and run-away stars ...


Research collaborations

Scientific research collaborations, involvement in observing campaigns, missions, and network activities.


Student training

PhD student training

Opportunities for potential PhD students occasionally become available through the following schools. Please consult their respective calls and deadlines. If you would like to work with me on a specific stellar astrophysics project, state this in your application and possibly get in contact with me beforehand.

Information about doctoral studies in physics at the University of Göttingen.

Master student training

In addition to its regular study program towards a Master's degree in physics with a specialisation in astrophysics, the University of Göttingen together with four partner universities abroad alternatively offers a limited number of spaces in the international Astromundus master program. Whether you are a local Göttingen student or an Astromundus student, you are welcome to discuss potential Master thesis topics with me.


Master theses topics

The Master thesis in physics at the University of Göttingen is complemented by the modules Forschungshauptpraktikum Astro- und Geophysik, Planung und Durchführung wissenschaftlicher Arbeiten, and Knüpfung und Pflege von Arbeitskontakten. The content of these modules will be matched to your envisioned master thesis topic.

  • EXOTIME observations and data interpretation
  • Properties of pulsating stars
  • Hot white dwarfs

Bachelor theses topics

The bachelor thesis in physics at the University of Göttingen is preceeded by the module called Spezialisierungspraktikum. Both are planned consecutively on an individual schedule depending on the constraints of the research project, the envisioned direction of the work, and the initial skills of the student, discussed ahead of time with the supervisor, so don't hesitate to contact me. Please also see the Richtlinien zur Durchführung von Spezialisierungspraktika und Bachelorarbeiten.

  • EXOTIME data analysis
  • Binary and multiple stars
  • Virtual observatory and data archives

Links to software resources

These collections of useful IDL procedures, currently located on Tübingen servers in the aitlib repository, should be moved elsewhere.


Link to press releases

What to know more but don't want to actually read the original research articles? The link below takes you to an overview of links to general articles or announcements with the intention of explaining some of the more noteworthy research results to a broader audience, among other things.


Research keywords cloud