The Lowell Predoctoral ProgramLowell Observatory welcomes applications to its predoctoral program. Applications for admission in Fall 2008 are due by May 1, 2008, and announcement letters will be mailed by June 15, 2008. For questions concerning the application process or the program guidelines, contact Dr. Will Grundy (grundy at lowell dot edu, 928-233-3231) or Dr. Lisa Prato (lprato at lowell dot edu, 928-233-3213).
We aim to provide students a unique and scientifically rich research environment with opportunities not necessarily available to them at their home institutions. The expectation is that, at the end of two to three years, the student will have completed research which qualifies for the fulfillment of the Ph.D. degree at the home institution. We desire in part to foster a cooperative relationship between the student's home university and Lowell Observatory and to strengthen collaborative ties between the institutions by means of the predoctoral program. Yearly visits by students to the home university are required to report on the progress of research at Lowell.
Predoctoral students are expected to be currently enrolled in a Ph.D. granting graduate program and in good academic standing, having completed the required institutional coursework thesis requirements and qualifying examinations, or pending completion of such. Throughout the duration of the predoctoral program, the student will remain enrolled at the home institution and will graduate with the Ph.D. degree from that institution. Students must have approval of their home institution before initiation of the application process.
Students are expected to contact a potential research advisor at Lowell well before beginning the application process to develop a thesis proposal. A partial listing of research staff and their specialty areas is available on the projects page. Selecting an advisor is the most important decision a student will make in the pursuit of a Ph.D. Once a project is defined, the student should follow the formal application process with the advisor's sponsorship. Be sure to initiate contact well before the deadline to allow time for the development of a successful research proposal!
We require that students identify a co-advisor at their university to maintain formal communication between the insitutions and to verify that the university research requirements are being fulfilled. Students should visit their home institution at least once a year to discuss progress and to present current results to their department.
Before the yearly anniversary of the start date students will be expected to give a short, informal presentation on their research progress. This 20-30 minute talk will be open to the Lowell staff. Afterwards a committee composed of L. Prato, W. Grundy, and all predoc advisors will discuss the presentation with the student. The goals of this process are to (1) assist students in maintaining consistent progress towards the thesis completion, (2) provide a friendly forum for students to develop presentation skills,and (3) to enrich Lowell's research environment.
$23,000/year, plus health insurance.
Initial appoinment normally for two years, extension possible in one-year increments in extenuating circumstances.
Approximately February 1 and September 1 as per agreement with Lowell Observatory advisor.
Program Overview
Application
Projects
About Lowell
You'll be based at Lowell's historic campus, one mile west of downtown Flagstaff at an elevation of 7,200'.
Predoctoral students have full access to the observing facilities at our dark-sky site at Anderson Mesa, 10 miles southeast of Flagstaff.
You'll have office space and access to our research library and labs.
And we're always looking for new folks to join one of our legendary staff volleyball games or mountain bike rides.