The research studentship programme of the European Southern Observatory provides an outstanding opportunity for PhD students to conduct their research in the vibrant scientific environment of one of the world's leading observatories. Applicants and their home institute supervisors should agree upon and coordinate their research project jointly with their prospective ESO supervisor, and then can apply for a minimum of one year and up to two years of ESO Studentship during which they are employed and paid by ESO. For this purpose, the ESO supervisor should be contacted well in advance of the application deadlines. 

The candidates applying to the ESO Studentships in Garching are hosted at ESO's Headquarters in Garching (Germany).

• ESO's studentship positions are open to students enrolled in a PhD programme in astronomy or related scientific fields (observational, theoretical and fundamental astrophysics).
• Students accepted into the programme work on their studentship project under the formal supervision of their home university supervisor, but they are expected to come to ESO to work and study under the co-supervision of an ESO staff astronomer or under the co-supervision of a team of an ESO staff astronomer and Fellow.