Category: Exoplanets

Postdoctoral position in laboratory planetary science/astrophysics

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Department: Department of Physics and Astronomy
City: San Antonio
State/Province: Texas
Category: , , , ,
Country: United States
Contact Person: Xinting Yu
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: University of Texas at San Antonio
Application Due Date: Monday, March 27 2023
Web Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK50eV6CBlSskfScfP_vQ0OamgGwyj31vcqfF9VHLQjtZtIg/viewform?usp=sf_link

​The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Department of Physics and Astronomy invites applications for a postdoctoral position in laboratory astrophysics/planetary science. The postdoc would work with Assistant Professor Dr. Xinting Yu on performing material characterization using a newly-constructed Planetary Material Characterization Facility at UTSA. The successful applicant would have the opportunity to work with a range of material characterization instrumentation, including but not limited to nanoindentation, ellipsometry, and atomic force microscopy, work on projects to measure various material properties of planetary materials including planetary aerosol analogs, field samples, meteorites, planetary regolith analogs, and potentially return samples, and apply the material properties to understand various atmospheric/surface processes on planetary bodies in and outside the Solar System. Prior experience with material characterization, laboratory astrophysics, or planetary science is preferred. The candidate must have a Ph.D. in astronomy, planetary science, geophysics, materials science, or a related field by the start date of the position. 

The appointment will be for 2 years, with a possibility of a one-year extension contingent upon performance and funding – with benefits and research support. The expected start date is Fall 2023 and is negotiable. 

To apply, please submit an online application. The requested materials include a full CV with a list of publications, a 1-page summary of previous research, and a 2-page description of research interests. Please also arrange for 2-3 letters of reference to be sent via the same application form. Applications will not be considered until all materials are received. Review of applications will begin on March 27, 2023. Note: You will receive a confirmation email from Dr. Xinting Yu ([email protected]) once your application is complete within 3 business days.

UTSA is located in San Antonio, a vibrant city with a dynamic and diverse population. It is classified as both a Minority and a Hispanic Serving Institution, with more than 30,000 students with culturally diverse backgrounds. UTSA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

ESA Archival Research Visitor Programme

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Department: Space Science Department
City: Madrid
Category: , , , ,
Country: Spain
Contact Person: Guido De Marchi
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: European Space Agency
Application Due Date: Monday, October 31 2022
Web Link: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc/visitor-programme

To increase the scientific return from its space science missions, the European Space Agency (ESA) welcomes applications from scientists interested in pursuing research projects based on data publicly available in the ESA Space Science Archives (https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc).

The ESA Archival Research Visitor Programme is open to scientists, at all career levels, affiliated with institutes in ESA Member States and Collaborating States. Early-career scientists (within 10 years of the PhD) are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications by PhD students are also welcome.

During their stay, visiting scientists will have access to archives and mission specialists for help with the retrieval, calibration, and analysis of archival data. In principle, all areas of space research covered by ESA science missions can be supported.

Residence lasts typically between one and three months, also distributed over multiple visits. Research projects can be carried out at ESAC (Madrid, Spain) and at ESTEC (Noordwijk, Netherlands). To offset the expenses incurred by visitors, ESA covers travel costs from and to the home institution and provides support for lodging expenses and meals.

Applications received before 1 November 2022 will be considered for visits in spring and summer 2023.

For further details, including areas of research and contact information, please refer to:

https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc/visitor-programme

or write to the programme coordinators at [email protected] 

Postdoctoral Scholar in Climate of Exoplanets and/or Mars

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Department: Department of the Geophysical Sciences
City: Chicago
State/Province: IL
Category: , , , ,
Country: United States
Contact Person: Edwin Kite
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: University of Chicago
Application Due Date: Monday, July 04 2022
Web Link: http://sseh.uchicago.edu

The Department of the Geophysical Sciences at The University of Chicago seeks to hire a

postdoctoral scholar to support investigations of the habitability of exoplanets and/or Mars

through modeling of planetary atmosphere evolution and climate. The successful candidate

will work with Associate Professor Edwin Kite (sseh.uchicago.edu) to construct new models for

planetary atmosphere evolution and modify and run existing models of planetary climate.

Candidates should have a background in Planetary Science, Earth Science, or Astrophysics, and

have experience working with models including radiative transfer and/or planetary climate. An

early start date is preferred, however this is negotiable with the successful candidate.

The University of Chicago hosts a vibrant planets and exoplanets research program, with particular

emphasis on terrestrial and sub-Neptune exoplanets: https://geosci.uchicago.edu/planetaryscience-

planetary-atmospheres-and-exoplanets/,

https://astro.uchicago.edu/research/exoplanets.php.

Application materials should be received by July 4 for full consideration. Applicants should send

a CV, a brief description of research interests and experience, and a list of publications as a single

PDF file to [email protected]. Applicants should also arrange to have two letters of reference

sent to this email address. Please direct informal inquiries about this post to Edwin Kite

([email protected]).

Initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year, and comes

with a competitive salary and generous benefits.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the

highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of

individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and

exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/

statements-diversity. The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal

Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,

religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an

individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected

classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of

Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the

application process should email

Postdoc Position in Planetary/Exoplanet Geophysics

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Department: Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences
City: Providence
State/Province: RI
Category: , , , ,
Country: United States
Contact Person: Alex Evans
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Brown University
Application Due Date: Friday, April 22 2022
Web Link: https://ghosst.alexjevans.com/2022/02/10/postdoctoral-position-in-exoplanet-geophysics/

The Brown University Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (DEEPS) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Scholar in exoplanet and habitability evolution modeling. Ideal candidates are those with experience in the development and/or modeling of mantle thermochemical evolution on planetary bodies.

The successful applicant will be based in DEEPS and will work with a cross-disciplinary research team in both DEEPS and the Department of Physics to carry out research that integrates models of mantle thermochemical evolution and atmospheric evolution to understand how exoplanets evolve through time.

Interested individuals should have a Ph.D. in Planetary Science, Geophysics, Physics/Astronomy, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field. A start date by Summer/Fall 2022 is expected, but earlier and later start dates will be considered.

Research will be primarily advised by Professor Alex Evans. Selected applicant will have the opportunity to collaborate with Brown DEEPS Professors Steve Parman and  Dan Ibarra, Brown Physics Professor Gregory Tucker, Dr. Matthew Weller at LPI, and Professor Alexandria Johnson of Purdue University.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

If interested, please send a CV and brief statement of research interests and future research goals that highlights any previous experience with mantle, atmospheric, or exoplanet modeling and analyses to exoplanets [at] brown [dot] edu.

Any questions can be directed to Alex Evans, alex_evans [at] brown [dot] edu.

2 Year Postdoctoral appointment in Planetary Science at the University of Rochester

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Current state: Review
Department: Earth and Environmental Sciences
City: Rochester
State/Province: NY
Category: , , , ,
Country: United States
Contact Person: Miki Nakajima
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: University of Rochester
Application Due Date: Friday, April 15 2022
Web Link: https://www.rochester.edu/faculty-recruiting/positions/show/12952

2 Year Postdoctoral appointment in Planetary Science at the University of Rochester (due April 15, 2022)

The Earth and Planetary Science group at the University of Rochester invites postdoctoral applicants to conduct research for a NASA funded project on satellite formation processes for two years. Applicants with strong backgrounds in orbital dynamics are strongly encouraged to apply.

The group conducts cutting-edge numerical simulations to model planetary formation and evolution processes. The goal of the funded research project is to understand satellite formation processes. The applicant will primarily work with Professors Miki Nakajima, Alice Quillen (University of Rochester) and Jacob Simon (Iowa State University), and they are encouraged to extend their collaboration on campus. We have dedicated nodes at the high performance computing facility on campus at the University of Rochester, Center for Integrated Research Computing (CIRC, https://www.circ.rochester.edu/). We actively collaborate with excellent scientists on campus and at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE), which hosts an NSF-funded physics frontier center, Center for Matter at Atomic Pressures (CMAP, https://www.rochester.edu/cmap/).

Applicants with strong backgrounds in orbital dynamics are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must have their PhD before the start of the appointment. The target starting date is July 2022, but it can be flexible. Please submit your CV, contact information of three references, a short (1-2 page) research statement of your past and future work. Applications will be accepted until April 15, 2022 through the following link: https://www.rochester.edu/faculty…/positions/show/12952.

For more information, please contact Miki Nakajima (email: [email protected], Research website: https://www.mikinakajima.com/).

The University of Rochester, an Equal Opportunity Employer, has a strong commitment to diversity and actively encourages applications from candidates from groups underrepresented in higher education.

EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled

2 Year Postdoctoral appointment in Planetary Science at the University of Rochester

Posted on
Current state: Review
Department: Earth and Environmental Sciences
City: Rochester
State/Province: NY
Category: , , , ,
Country: United States
Contact Person: Miki Nakajima
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: University of Rochester
Application Due Date: Friday, April 15 2022
Web Link: https://www.rochester.edu/faculty-recruiting/positions/show/12952

2 Year Postdoctoral appointment in Planetary Science at the University of Rochester (due April 15, 2022)

The Earth and Planetary Science group at the University of Rochester invites postdoctoral applicants to conduct research for a NASA funded project on satellite formation processes for two years. Applicants with strong backgrounds in orbital dynamics are strongly encouraged to apply.

The group conducts cutting-edge numerical simulations to model planetary formation and evolution processes. The goal of the funded research project is to understand satellite formation processes. The applicant will primarily work with Professors Miki Nakajima, Alice Quillen (University of Rochester) and Jacob Simon (Iowa State University), and they are encouraged to extend their collaboration on campus. We have dedicated nodes at the high performance computing facility on campus at the University of Rochester, Center for Integrated Research Computing (CIRC, https://www.circ.rochester.edu/). We actively collaborate with excellent scientists on campus and at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE), which hosts an NSF-funded physics frontier center, Center for Matter at Atomic Pressures (CMAP, https://www.rochester.edu/cmap/).

Applicants with strong backgrounds in orbital dynamics are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must have their PhD before the start of the appointment. The target starting date is July 2022, but it can be flexible. Please submit your CV, contact information of three references, a short (1-2 page) research statement of your past and future work. Applications will be accepted until April 15, 2022 through the following link: https://www.rochester.edu/faculty…/positions/show/12952.

For more information, please contact Miki Nakajima (email: [email protected], Research website: https://www.mikinakajima.com/).

The University of Rochester, an Equal Opportunity Employer, has a strong commitment to diversity and actively encourages applications from candidates from groups underrepresented in higher education.

EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled

2 Year Postdoctoral appointment in Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of Rochester

Posted on
Department: Earth and Environmental Sciences
City: Rochester
State/Province: NY
Category: , , , ,
Country: United States
Contact Person: Miki Nakajima
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: University of Rochester
Application Due Date: Friday, April 15 2022
Web Link: https://www.rochester.edu/faculty-recruiting/positions/show/12952

2 Year Postdoctoral appointment in Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of Rochester (due April 15, 2022)

The Earth and Planetary Science group at the University of Rochester invites postdoctoral applicants to conduct research for a NASA funded project for two years. We are particularly interested in applicants whose expertise is orbital dynamics.

The group conducts cutting-edge numerical simulations to model planetary formation and evolution processes. The goal of the funded research project is to understand satellite formation processes. The applicant will primarily work with Professors Miki Nakajima, Alice Quillen (University of Rochester) and Jacob Simon (Iowa State University), and they are encouraged to extend their collaboration on campus. We have dedicated nodes at the high performance computing facility on campus at the University of Rochester, Center for Integrated Research Computing (CIRC, https://www.circ.rochester.edu/). We actively collaborate with excellent scientists on campus and at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE), which hosts an NSF-funded physics frontier center, Center for Matter at Atomic Pressures (CMAP, https://www.rochester.edu/cmap/).

Applicants with strong backgrounds in orbital dynamics are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must have their PhD before the start of the appointment. The target starting date is July 2022, but it can be flexible. Please submit your CV, contact information of three references, a short (1-2 page) research statement of your past and future work. Applications will be accepted until April 15, 2022 through the following link: https://www.rochester.edu/faculty…/positions/show/12952.

For more information, please contact Miki Nakajima (email: [email protected], Research website: https://www.mikinakajima.com/).

The University of Rochester, an Equal Opportunity Employer, has a strong commitment to diversity and actively encourages applications from candidates from groups underrepresented in higher education.

EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled

ESA Archival Research Visitor Programme

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Department: Science and Operations Department
City: Madrid or Noordwijk
Category: , , , ,
Country: Spain or Netherlands
Contact Person: Guido De Marchi
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: European Space Agency
Application Due Date: Saturday, April 30 2022
Web Link: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc/visitor-programme

To increase the scientific return from its space science missions, the European Space Agency (ESA) welcomes applications from scientists interested in pursuing research projects based on data publicly available in the ESA Space Science Archives (https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc).

The ESA Archival Research Visitor Programme is open to scientists, at all career levels, affiliated with institutes in ESA Member States and Collaborating States. Early-career scientists (within 10 years of the PhD) are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications by PhD students are also welcome.

During their stay, visiting scientists will have access to archives and mission specialists for help with the retrieval, calibration, and analysis of archival data. In principle, all areas of space research covered by ESA science missions can be supported.

Residence lasts typically between one and three months, also distributed over multiple visits. Research projects can be carried out at ESAC (Madrid, Spain) and at ESTEC (Noordwijk, Netherlands). To offset the expenses incurred by visitors, ESA covers travel costs from and to the home institution and provides support for lodging expenses and meals.

Applications received before 1 May 2022 will be considered for visits in autumn 2022 and winter 2023.

For further details, including areas of research and contact information, please refer to https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc/visitor-programme, or write to the programme coordinators at [email protected] 

Postdoctoral Scholar in Planetary Science and Exoplanets

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Department: Earth and Planetary Sciences
City: Riverside
State/Province: CA
Category: , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Stephen Kane
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: University of California, Riverside
Application Due Date: Friday, December 17 2021
Web Link: https://epsci.ucr.edu/sites/g/files/rcwecm4976/files/2021-10/job_advertisement_postdoc_kane.pdf

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Scholar position in planetary science and exoplanets at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). The successful applicant will work in the Planetary Research Laboratory, led by Dr. Stephen Kane. The primary research activities cover a broad range of exoplanet, planetary science, and astrobiology topics, including exoplanet detection and characterization, Venus (both intrinsically and as an exoplanet analog), orbital dynamics, atmospheres and climate, and planetary habitability. Typical data sources are Kepler, Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), Keck, the Automated Planet Finder (APF), MINERVA-Australis, and various Planetary Data System (PDS) mission archives. The group is also a member of the DAVINCI+ mission, a selected NASA mission to study the Venusian atmosphere. The Postdoctoral Scholar will primarily work on Venus science, Solar System exoplanet analogs, and climate simulations.

Candidates must hold a PhD in astronomy, physics, planetary sciences, geology or related field before their start date. Preference will be given to applicants with expertise in Venus, climate modeling, and/or atmospheric characterization of terrestrial exoplanets. The position is for two years with expected renewal for a third year contingent upon satisfactory research performance. The salary is competitive, and health benefits are provided.

Applicants are requested to submit via email a single PDF file containing a current CV, list of publications, and statement of research interests. The applicant should also arrange for three letters of reference to be submitted, also via email. Complete applications are due by December 17, 2021. E-mail inquiries and application materials should be addressed to: [email protected].

The University of California, Riverside is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, committed to excellence through diversity. We strive to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

positions at Freie Universitaet Berlin for PLATO

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City: Berlin
Category: , ,
Country: Germany
Contact Person: Prof. Dr. Heike Rauer
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Freie Universitaet Berlin
Application Due Date: Monday, November 29 2021
Web Link: https://www.fu-berlin.de/universitaet/beruf-karriere/jobs/english/GW-WiMi_PLATO-PCOT_Planetologie-2021_EN.html

We announce 2 positions at the FU Berlin related to the PLATO Mission (PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars), whose goal is the search and characterization of extrasolar planets, including Earth-like planets. The FU Berlin (Department of Geosciences/Planetary Sciences) cooperates with the Institute of Planetary Research of the German Aerospace Center e.V. (DLR) within the PLATO mission.

Position 1: Research assistant (Data Engineer) (f/m/d)
full-time job limited to 30.09.2024
Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L FU
Reference code: WiMi_PLATO-PCOT_Planetologie 2021_EN
Deadline: 29.11.2021
Link:
https://www.fu-berlin.de/universitaet/beruf-karriere/jobs/english/GW-WiM…

The position announced is part of the work performed by the PLATO Mission Consortium (PMC) and will be performed in close cooperation with PMC partners in Berlin (Institut fur Planetenforschung des Deutschen Zentrums fur Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.), other European PMC members and with ESA.
Applicants shall contribute to the work of the PLATO Calibration and Operations Team (PCOT) and take part in supporting the PLATO Data Center (PDC), the Science Operations Center (SOC) and other groups within the Science Ground Segment (SGS) concerning issues on design, requirements management, integration and verification of the PLATO On-ground data processing Calibration pipeline.

Job description:
Ground segment data processing engineering support to the PLATO Calibration and Operations Team (PCOT).
Responsibilities:
– Supporting the design and elicitation of requirements of the CPDS (Calibration Parameters Derivation System).
– Supporting definition of the calibration products derived from the CPDS.
– Interface with the Data Processing System (DPS) for the provision of the on-board science configuration parameters via CPDS.

– Interface with PDC for the provision of calibration parameters used for instrumental corrections on the L1
ground-processing pipeline.
– Supporting implementation of CPDS interfaces with the rest of the Ground Data Processing (GDP) subsystems.
– Supporting the CPDS verification and overall GDP verification.
– Supporting the PCOT Manager (PCOTM) with the elaboration of Calibration and Operations plans and P/L User
Manual.

Requirements:
– A Master degree in engineering or physics

(Professional) Experience:
– Professional experience in a scientific or technical environment.

Desirable:
– Experience in optical payload operations and associated software systems is highly desirable.
– Experience in Agile and/or DevOps methodologies and DevOps would be a further asset.
– Experience in ground processing pipelines for space instruments (preferably optical payload).
– Understanding of development and maintenance of ground infrastructure and/or software systems.
– Knowledge of large operations and associated software systems, preferably space-based high motivation,
ability to work independently as well as part of a team, excellent communication skills.

– very good written and spoken English language competences
– good programming skills
– good documentation skills

Practical information

Applications should be sent by e-mail, together with significant documents, indicating the reference code
(WiMi_PLATO-PCOT_Planetologie 2021_EN), in PDF format (preferably as one document) to Mrs. Prof. Dr. Heike
Rauer: [email protected]<https://www.fu-berlin.de/universitaet/beruf-karriere/jobs/english/GW-WiM…

Position 2: Research assistant (physicist, astronomer, astrophysicist, engineer) (f/m/d) full-time job limited
to 30.09.2024 Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L FU Reference code: WiMi_PLATO-PPT_Planetologie 2021
full-time job limited to 30.09.2024
Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L FU
Reference code: WiMi_PLATO-PPT_Planetologie 2021
Deadline: 29.11.2021
Link:
https://www.fu-berlin.de/universitaet/beruf-karriere/jobs/english/GW-WiM…
Applicants shall contribute to the work of the PLATO Performance Team (PPT) in the topics detailed below,
including the use of simulation tools to support science performance verification activities, the contribution to discussions in the PLATO Consortium (in particular PLATO Science Working Team; PLATO System Assembly, Integration, and Verification Working Group; Mission System Engineering Working Group; PLATO Progress Meetings, PLATO Weeks), and support the Performance Team activities: on the validation of the science performance requirements and budgets, on the review of the verification of ground segment requirements related to science performance, on the scientific definition and justification of the procedures for in-orbit calibration for aspects related to science performance, on the assessment and discussion of non-conformances with impact of science performance.

Job description:
Support to PLATO Science Performance Verification.
Responsibilities:
* Definition and justification of the main performance requirements and budgets driving the payload design (noise and signal, pointing, focus, alignment, thermo-mechanical properties…).
* Review of the verification requirements of the units for aspects related to science performance.
* Support of the analysis of the calibration data obtained by the test houses in aspects related to science performance (best focus calibration, etc.).

* Support of the definition and justification of the procedures for the in-orbit calibration of the instrument
in aspects related to science performance.
* Support of ground segment validation for aspects related to science performance.
* Support of the discussion of all non-compliances, request for change (RfC), request for deviation (RfD), and
request for waiver (RfW) in the project (Camera, DPS, or mission) with impact on science performance.

Requirements:
* A Master in engineering or physics.

(Professional) Experience:
* Professional experience in a scientific or technical environment.

Desirable:
* Good programming and documentation skills.
* Experience in optical payload assembly, integration, and test, in particular in the analysis of the results.
* Experience in the development and implementation of ground processing pipelines for space instruments
(preferably optical payloads).
* Experience in extrasolar planet search and characterization by the method of transits.
* Experience in astroseismology from space.
* For candidates with scientist profile, good publication record.
* High motivation, ability to work independently as well as part of a large international team, excellent
communication skills, interest in education and public outreach.

* Very good written and spoken English language competences.

Practical information

Applications should be sent by e-mail, together with significant documents, indicating the reference code
(WiMi_PLATO-PPT_Planetologie 2021), in PDF format (preferably as one document) to Mrs. Prof. Dr. Heike Rauer:
[email protected]<https://www.fu-berlin.de/universitaet/beruf-karriere/jobs/english/GW-WiM…