Group members

Utkarsh Basu PhD student start date: May 2026
Sophia Baker Master student start Aug 2026
Marijn Wenting Bachelor student Jan 2026 - present
Jelle van Beek Bachelor student Sep 2025 - present
Soumendra Roy PhD student Sept 2023 - present (remote collab.)
Lucas de Sá Postdoctoral fellow Sept 2024 - present (remote collab.)
Jaxen Godfrey PhD student Jan 2024 - present (remote collab.)
Melanie Santiago Former undergraduate student April 2024 - August 2025
Katie Sharpe Former undergraduate student Fall 2020 - Fall 2023

PhD opportunities

We are looking to expand our group and currently have an open PhD position in Gravitational-wave astronomy and massive stellar binary evolution. For full details and how to apply, please see the official Radboud University job listing: PhD position — Gravitational-wave astronomy and massive stellar binary evolution.

If you have questions about the project or the group, feel free to contact me at lieke.vanson@ru.nl. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds; the programme is taught in English. See more general information on the here.

postdoctoral fellowships

There are several fellowships you can apply for to join Radboud University, and our group:

  • Veni fellowship:. Dutch fellowship €320.000,- for 3-year appointment, available for researchers max. 3 years post-PhD (dealine for pre-proposals in September)
  • Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship: Prestigious European fellowship for 2-year position (deadline September)

About Radboud University Nijmegen

The Department of Astrophysics is part of Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics and research, and the Dutch network of astronomy institutes NOVA. Research topics include black holes and neutron stars, astroparticle physics and gravity waves, as well as how objects in a galactic environment form and evolve.

The Netherlands boasts one of the most prestigious university systems in Europe and, more importantly, an inclusive and international environment. Learn more about the research and facilities on the RU website.