Doctoral training at the Observatoire de Paris is the culmination of research training. The work of doctoral students is essential for the scientific output of laboratories and leads to the Doctorate degree, which is a recognised and indispensable qualification for high-level careers, particularly in an international context.
Obtaining a PhD then opens up the possibility of preparing a professorial thesis (HDR).
Since the 2015 academic year, all PhD students who are newly or re-enrolled in a doctoral programme at a PSL institution are now PSL PhD students. The target duration for preparing the doctorate is three years, after which the ’PSL doctoral diploma prepared at the Paris Observatory’ is awarded following a public defence.
Thesis preparation at Observatoire de Paris is carried out under the supervision of a thesis director attached to an Observatoire de Paris laboratory, within the framework of a Doctoral School (ED) co-accredited by PSL: the Doctoral School Astronomy and Astrophysics in Île-de-France or the Doctoral School "Physics in Île-de-France"..
A professorial thesis (Habilitation à diriger des recherches, or HDR) is a national higher education diploma that can be obtained after completing a doctorate. It enables the holder to apply for a position as a university professor (after obtaining the Qualification granted by the National Council of Universities), to supervise theses or be appointed as a thesis referee.