Category: Origins

Professor in Planetary Sciences at the University of Bern

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Current state: Review
Department: Division of Space Research and Planetary Sciences
City: Bern
Category: , , , , , , , , ,
Country: Switzerland
Contact Person: Christoph Mordasini
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: University of Bern
Application Due Date: Saturday, January 31 2026
Web Link: https://ohws.prospective.ch/public/v1/jobs/5910a4be-30c9-4e9d-abbe-9bc44b71776e

The Division of Space Research and Planetary Sciences of the Physics Institute, University of Bern, Switzerland, invites applications for a full-time position as a Professor in Planetary Sciences. The initial level of tenure can range from assistant professor tenure track to full professor depending on qualifications (open rank). We invite applications from candidates who conduct outstanding research, teaching, mentorship, and leadership in any area of experimental planetary science. Areas of research could include, but are not limited to, the properties, origin and evolution of planets and minor bodies in the Solar System, the search for and emergence of life beyond Earth, the composition of surfaces and atmospheres, ongoing physical and chemical surface and sub-surface processes and the evolution of planetary interiors. A diverse spectrum of approaches and methodologies is welcome, including, but not limited to, the analysis and modeling of space probe datasets, instrumentation, and flight hardware development, experimental, observational and laboratory techniques, comparative planetology or the involvement, development, and leadership in space missions.

NOMIS-ETH Postdoctoral Fellowships

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Current state: Approved
Department: Centre for Origin and Prevalence of Life
City: Zurich
Category: ,
Country: Switzerland
Contact Person: Mathias Beck
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: ETH Zurich
Application Due Date: Friday, November 07 2025
Web Link: https://jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOPG_ethz_F0rCyzUUQDlXzSHyku

Job description

The NOMIS Foundation ETH Fellowship Programme supports postdoctoral researchers at ETH Zurich within the Centre for Origin and Prevalence of Life (COPL). The programme is intended to foster the development of young interdisciplinary researchers in the field of the origin and prevalence of life who have demonstrated scientific excellence in the early stages of their careers, and to enable the conditions necessary to conduct interdisciplinary, fundamental and high-risk research with some level of independence and autonomy.

The role

Once appointed, NOMIS–ETH Fellows become an integral part of and have direct access to an international network of leading interdisciplinary researchers and institutions through the NOMIS collaborative research network and the Origins Federation.

The duration of a NOMIS–ETH Fellowship is three years plus one extension year and cannot be prolonged. The fourth year is granted only following a review 18 months after the start of the fellowship and must be funded by the host professor(s). The fellowship is competitive with a limited number of fellowships available each year. For a start in 2025, up to three new NOMIS– ETH Fellows will be selected.

Your profile

Applications within three years of obtaining a doctorate will be considered. In duly justified cases, applications falling outside this criterium may also be considered. Preferably, you already will have acquired your first postdoctoral experience and/or interdisciplinary training. You must have an existing affiliation to an academic/research institution.

In each evaluation round, a professor may only submit one candidate as host. A potential host may be co-host of another candidate for the same evaluation round. At least one of the host or co-host professors (mentors) must have a guaranteed ETH position for the entire duration of the proposed fellowship. The hosts and co-hosts shall be members of the Centre; see the COPL website for affiliated professors.

We offer

ETH Zurich is a family-friendly employer with excellent working conditions. You can look forward to an exciting working environment, cultural diversity and attractive offers and benefits.

We value diversity

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.

More information

https://copl.ethz.ch/opportunities/nomis-eth-fellowships.html

Life Detection Scientist

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Current state: Review
Department: Astrochemistry Laboratory
City: Greenbelt
State/Province: MD
Category: , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Dr. Natasha M. Johnson
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Application Due Date: Wednesday, May 17 2023
Web Link: http://www.usajobs.gov

The Astrochemistry Laboratory of the Solar System Exploration Division at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is seeking a full-time research scientist specializing in life detection science who would work to connect theories of life and biological search patterns to measurable parameters and contribute to future mission concepts. The successful candidate will work closely with life detection instrument technology developers to conceive of measurement approaches that are well connected to fundamental, robust theories or models of biology and life signatures. This research position entails developing productive collaborative relationships, leading ground-breaking research, and providing input into future mission/instrument design. This is a GS-13/14 level civil servant position located at NASA-Goddard in Greenbelt, Maryland near Washington, DC. As a government position, individuals must have US citizenship at time of application.

A full vacancy announcement, which contains further information including qualification requirements and application instructions, will be posted on May 4 and remain open for two weeks. The period that the announcement is open is due to the type of hiring authority and not a reflection of the openness of the position.

Astrobiologist (Physical Scientist, Solar Systems Analysis)

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Department: Astrochemistry Laboratory
City: Greenbelt
State/Province: MD
Category: , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Natasha Johnson
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Application Due Date: Monday, April 11 2022
Web Link: http://www.usajobs.gov

The Astrochemistry Laboratory of the Solar System Exploration Division at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is seeking a full-time analytical research scientist specializing in astrobiology and astrochemistry to work within the Astrobiology Analytical Laboratory. The successful candidate will study molecular distributions, enantiomeric ratios, and compound-specific stable isotopic compositions of soluble organic compounds in extraterrestrial material to inform the origin of life on Earth and solar system formation. This astrobiology position entails developing productive collaborative relationships, leading ground-breaking research, and providing input into future mission/instrument design. This is a GS-13/14 level civil servant position located at NASA-Goddard in Greenbelt, Maryland near Washington, DC.

The posting will run from Thursday, April 7 through Monday, April 11, 2022. Please submit your application during these dates through the USAJobs website (www.usajobs.gov).  

Cooper Union full-time tenure track position in astrophysics

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Current state: Approved
Department: Astrophysics
City: New York
State/Province: New York
Category: ,
Country: USA
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Cooper Union
Application Due Date: Friday, January 01 2021
Web Link: https://cooper.edu/work/employment-opportunities/albert-nerken-school-engineering-physics-tenure-track-faculty

 

Cooper Union full-time tenure track position in astrophysics. 50/50
position jointly with the Center for Computational Astrophysics of the
Simons Foundation’s Flatiron Institute.

https://cooper.edu/work/employment-opportunities/albert-nerken-school-en…

 

Two Faculty Positions in Exoplanets and Planetary Sciences

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Department: Department of Science and Engineering
City: Santiago
Category: , , , ,
Country: Chile
Contact Person: Andres Jordan
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Universidad Adolfo Ibanez
Application Due Date: Sunday, November 01 2020
Web Link: https://ingenieria.uai.cl/assets/uploads/2020/10/astro2020_uai.pdf

The Faculty of Engineering and Sciences (FES) of Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI) in Santiago, Chile, seeks applications for up to two open rank faculty positions in the area of exoplanet and planetary science beginning as soon as March 1, 2021.  All candidates in exoplanet or planetary science, broadly defined, are invited to apply. We are particularly interested in the following areas: planetary interiors, atmospheres, habitability, and studies of solar system objects. For one of the positions we are looking for applicants in the area of theoretical or computational astrophysics. Candidates should have a demonstrated potential or ability to pursue a high impact research program.

The successful candidates will join Professors Rafael Brahm, Andres Jordan and Gijs Mulders  at the newly created Astrophysics group at FES/UAI focused on exoplanet and planetary science. The chosen candidates are expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Physics, Astronomy, and related fields, in Spanish and/or English. Candidates do not need to be fluent in Spanish at the moment of applying. The successful candidate will have access to 10% of all telescope time on major facilities in Chile, including VLT, ALMA, Gemini, Magellan, and other telescopes in the country, as well as access to future facilities such as the GMT and E-ELT. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. As a reference, an Assistant Professor should expect an annual remuneration ranging between 36 and 48 million CLP (approximately 46,000 and 62,000 USD at the current exchange rate, respectively). This salary does not include potential additions from grants or research contracts.

Applications require: a cover letter, a complete curriculum vitae, and a description (5 pages maximum) of research and teaching interests. Contact information for at least three letters of recommendation must also be submitted. Applicants should apply by submitting the above materials as a single pdf file to <[email protected]> with the subject “Job Position in Exoplanet and Planetary Sciences”. Applications should be submitted by November 1, 2020 to ensure full consideration.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law. At FES we believe that diversity broadens our research scope and enhances the quality of our education, so we highly encourage women, international scholars and minorities to apply for these positions.

Post-doctoral Fellowship in Theoretical Astrophysics / Planetary Physics, Center for Matter at Atomic Pressure (CMAP)

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Department: Physics and Astronomy
City: ROCHESTER
State/Province: NY
Category: , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Connie Jones
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: University of Rochester
Application Due Date: Sunday, December 20 2020
Web Link: https://www.rochester.edu/cmap/

The NSF Physics Center for Matter at Atomic Pressure (CMAP) a multi-institutional enterprise anchored at the University of Rochester, invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Fellowship (CMAP Fellows) in Theoretical or Computational Astrophysics or Planetary Physics. Candidates should have a Ph.D. by the start date in physics, astrophysics, planetary science, or a related discipline.  We are particularly interested in candidates who bridge the gap between astrophysics and planetary science.  Particular areas of interest include astrophysical and planetary magnetic fields, magnetohydrodynamics, and plasma astrophysics; accretion process; planet formation, evolution, and structure; stellar structure and evolution; astrophysics of compact objects.  CMAP Fellows at the U. Rochester will be part of the larger CMAP NSF Physics Frontier Center, a collaboration between U. Rochester, Princeton, UC Davis, MIT, U. Buffalo, and UC Berkeley, for which the team members communicate weekly.

The position is for 2 years with a possible third year, depending on performance. Review of applications will be ongoing until a successful candidate is chosen.  Applicants are encouraged to submit their application by December 20 for full consideration. 

Applications consist of a CV, a statement of research interests and 3 letters of recommendation.  We strongly prefer all application materials to be submitted electronically to Ms. Connie Jones ([email protected]).   If sending by post please use the following address.

CMAP Postdoctoral Fellowship

c/o Connie Jones

Department of Physics and Astronomy

University of Rochester

Rochester, NY 14627-0171

 

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. All applications are considered without regard to race, sex, age, religion or national origin.

Graduate Student Research Opportunities in Planetary Science at Tulane University

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Current state: Approved
Department: Earth and Environmental Sciences
City: New Orleans
State/Province: Louisiana
Category: ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Jennifer Whitten or Colin Jackson
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Tulane University
Application Due Date: Tuesday, December 31 2019
Web Link: https://sse.tulane.edu/academics/graduate/admissions

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Tulane University seeks highly motivated students with an interest in pursuing graduate studies in planetary science. Opportunities are available within the general area of planetary surface processes with Dr. Whitten and planetary accretion with Dr. Jackson.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
For more information regarding specific research topics, please contact:                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                    
Dr. Jennifer Whitten                                                                                                                 
[email protected] <http://whitten.wp.tulane.edu                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                    
or                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                    
Dr. Colin Jackson                                                                                                                    
[email protected] <https://colinjackson.wp.tulane.edu/                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                    
Applications are due December 31, 2019                                                                                               
https://sse.tulane.edu/academics/graduate/admissions
 

IMPRS PhD Scholarships in all fields of Solar System Science at MPS in Göttingen, Germany

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Current state: Approved
Department: International Max Planck Research School for Solar System Science at the University of Göttingen
City: Göttingen
Category: , , ,
Country: Germany
Contact Person: Sonja Schuh
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research
Application Due Date: Saturday, November 15 2014
Web Link: http://www.solar-system-school.de

The International Max Planck Research School for Solar System Science at the University of Göttingen (“Solar System School”) offers a research-oriented doctoral program covering the physical aspects of Solar system science. It is jointly run by the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) and the University of Göttingen. Research at the MPS covers three main research areas: “Sun and Heliosphere”, “Solar and Stellar Interiors”, “Planets and Comets”. Solar System School students collaborate with leading scientists in these fields and graduates are awarded a doctoral degree from the renowned University of Göttingen or, if they choose, another university.

The Solar System School is open to students from all countries and offers an international three-year PhD program in an exceptional research environment with state-of-the-art facilities on the Göttingen Research Campus. Successful applicants receive an attractive scholarship covering relocation support, housing and living expenses and are exempt from tuition fees. The stipend is free of income tax and free of contributions to social insurance. Health insurance is mandatory and has to be paid by the stipend holder. The language of the structured graduate program is English, with German language courses offered (optional). The program includes an inspiring curriculum of scientific lectures and seminars as well as advanced training workshops and provides travel funds to attend international conferences.

Applicants to the Solar System School should have a keen interest in Solar system science and a record of academic excellence. They must have, or must be about to obtain, an M.Sc. degree or equivalent in physics or a related field, including a written Masters thesis (or a scientific publication), and must document a good command of the English language.

Review of applications for a starting date of September 2015 will begin on 15 November 2014, but other starting times are also negotiable. Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis. Applications will be accepted through the online application portal starting in October 2014 at  http://www.solar-system-school.de.

Please direct any further inquiries to the IMPRS scientific coordinator, Dr. Sonja Schuh, at [email protected].

Assistant Professor – Theoretical Astrophysics Program – University of Arizona

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Department: Theoretical Astrophysics Program
City: Tucson
State/Province: AZ
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Professor Renu Malhotra
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: University of Arizona
Application Due Date: Tuesday, July 01 2014
Web Link: http://www.hr.arizona.edu

FACULTY POSITION Theoretical Astrophysics The University of Arizona The University of Arizona’s Theoretical Astrophysics Program invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position to begin in Fall 2014. The Theoretical Astrophysics Program is an interdisciplinary program that fosters academic and scientific links among the Departments of Astronomy, Physics and Planetary Sciences at the University, to complement with a strong theory program the world-renowned astronomical facilities in Tucson, AZ. The Program consists of five core faculty and about 25 affiliate members working in a range of topics spanning solar system astrophysics to cosmology. In addition to the typical facilities available at a research university, the UA’s Research Data Center provides our faculty access to local high-end supercomputing resources including distributed, shared-memory and GPU architectures. We interpret theoretical astrophysics broadly, and our areas of interest include planetary sciences, atomic and molecular astrophysics, high-energy and nuclear astrophysics, particle astrophysics, plasma astrophysics, stellar and galactic astrophysics and cosmology. We are interested in highly qualified individuals from any area of theoretical astrophysics who will interact effectively with the participating departments. The appointment will be at the level of assistant professor in one or more of the participating departments. Candidates are expected to have a Ph.D. in physics, astronomy or a closely related field. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate through advanced graduate classes, establish and maintain a distinguished research program and contribute to academic service. Review of applications will begin on December 2, 2013 and will continue until the position is filled. Please apply at https://www.uacareertrack.com/, job number 53843. Applicants are asked to submit a CV with publication list, statement of research interests, statement of teaching philosophy, and the names and addresses of at least three references. As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, the University of Arizona recognizes the power of a diverse community and encourages applications from individuals with varied experiences and backgrounds. Please direct inquiries to: Professor Renu Malhotra Chair, Theoretical Astrophysics Program 1629 E University Boulevard The University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona 85721-0092 Email: [email protected]