Current state: Approved
Department: International Max Planck Research School for Solar System Science at the University of Göttingen
City: Göttingen
Country: Germany
Contact Person: Sonja Schuh
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].
Current state: Approved
City: Bern
Country: Switzerland
Contact Person: Peter Wurz
Institution: University of Bern
Application Due Date: Sunday, August 31 2014
Web Link: http://eth-gethired.ch/jobs/pdf/28435/phd_position_laboratory_studies_of_the_surfaces_of_icy_moons_5/de
The vast majority of celestial objects in our outer solar system are bodies with icy surfaces (ice
moons, Trans-Neptunian Objects, and comets). The surface of these objects directly interacts
with the space environment and thus is open to in-situ or remote sensing investigation. The
upcoming JUICE mission of ESA to the Galilean moons Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto will
allow us to sample directly the particles ejected from the surface. However, many surface
properties (e.g., sputter yield and chemical composition of ejecta) are still poorly known. This
limits the quality of surface and exosphere models and thus poses a problem for the
interpretation of existing observations and for the instrument design for JUICE.
The position is for an experimentalist to simulate processes that are relevant for the icy
surfaces of satellites: radiation with ions, electrons, and UV photons of pure water ice and
mixtures. The goal of this PhD position is to provide the ejection efficiency and the chemical
and energetic distribution of ejecta for the case of ions, UV photons, and electrons impacting an
ice surface. Characterising the sample with an IR-spectrometer and the evolution of
photometric properties as a response to irradiation will complement the analysis. The PhD
student will be part of the PEP (Particle Environment Package) team of the JUICE mission and
will collaborate with the engineering team to help optimise the design of the flight hardware.
We are looking for a talented and motivated person who enjoys experimental physics.
Experience with electronics, vacuum instrumentation, ice samples, and mass spectrometry
would be of advantage but is not required. The PhD position is funded for 4 years. Salary is
according to regulations by the Swiss National Science Foundation. For further information of
our department visit our web page athttp://space.unibe.ch/.
Interested applicants should send their curriculum (including professional experience), a one
page motivation letter, the contact details of up to three reference persons, and the grades
obtained at the Master level to Prof. Peter Wurz ([email protected]). Applications
should be sent until 31 August 2014. The starting date of the position is October 2014, but is
negotiable.
Current state: Approved
City: Huntsville
State/Province: Alabama
Country: USA
Contact Person: Barbara A. Cohen
Institution: University of Alabama Huntsville / NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Application Due Date: Tuesday, September 30 2014
Web Link: http://uah.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=50487
The University of Alabama Huntsville and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center invite applications for a laboratory manager responsible for routine operation and maintenance of the MSFC Noble Gas Research Laboratory (MNGRL). A PhD or MS in the physical sciences, experience in mass spectrometry (noble gas and/or ICPMS, TIMS, etc.), and ultra-high vacuum laboratory operations are required. Salary is $67,151-$85,000 per year depending on qualifications; initial appointment is for 1 year with renewal based on performance and availability of funding. Applications will be reviewed beginning Sept 2 until position is filled. Apply online at http://uah.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=50487.
Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: Astronomy
City: Chicago
State/Province: IL
Country: USA
Contact Person: Human Resources
Institution: Adler Planetarium
Application Due Date: Wednesday, October 01 2014
The Adler Planetarium (Chicago, IL) seeks a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to conduct follow-up imaging and physical characterization of near-Earth objects in a major new effort using the ARC 3.5-meter telescope at Apache Point Observatory. This position will be based in Chicago at the Adler. Applicants for this position must have their PhD (or near completion) in Astronomy, Planetary Science or a related field and should have experience with ground-based optical observing and a working familiarity with current minor planet research. The successful applicant will be expected to: 1) lead analysis of asteroid imaging, reflectance spectra, and rotational lightcurves; 2) coordinate target selection and observation with the international community; and 3) explore innovative research topics in collaboration with other members of the Adler astrophysics research staff. In addition they will spend 10% time on education and outreach activities related to their research work. The initial appointment will be for two years with a possible one-year extension dependent on successful performance and availability of funding, starting no later than October 1, 2014. Applications will be accepted until position filled.
To apply, send resume to:
Human Resources
[email protected]
Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V
REQ: AST140
Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: Physics, Astronomy, & Materials Science
City: Springfield
State/Province: Missouri
Country: USA
Contact Person: David Cornelison
Institution: Missouri State University
Application Due Date: Thursday, December 31 2015
Web Link: http://physics.missouristate.edu/MaterialsScience/
The Department of Physics, Astronomy, & Materials Science at Missouri State University invites applications for Masters level graduate students to assist in observational and laboratory studies of exoplanet materials. The graduate program is in the field of Materials Science, or Natural and Applied Science with a thesis in the area
of exoplanet materials. Our research group has paid research assistantships available. In our laboratory, we are recreating constituents of hot, rocky, exoplanets and measuring the optical properties. Graduate students could begin during Fall Semester 2014 or Spring Semester 2015. Information concerning course work is available at
http://physics.missouristate.edu/MaterialsScience/ or
http://cnas.missouristate.edu/mnas/default.asp.
Missouri State University is not a Ph.D. granting institution. Information about our Graduate College and programs is available at http://graduate.missouristate.edu/
Funding for these positions is through December 2015
Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: Department of Terrestrial Magnetism
City: Washington
State/Province: DC
Country: USA
Institution: Carnegie Institution for Science
Application Due Date: Saturday, March 15 2014
Web Link: https://jobs.carnegiescience.edu/jobs/dtm
The Department of Terrestrial Magnetism of the Carnegie Institution of Washington anticipates an opening for one or two postdoctoral fellows to work on some aspect of the geochemistry of the planet Mercury. The MESSENGER spacecraft, in its second extended mission, will continue to return data from its suite of instruments from Mercury until early 2015. Fellows will aid in planning and analysis of MESSENGER observations and carry out research aimed at understanding the planet’s origin and geological evolution. Observational, experimental, and modeling studies will be considered. Details on MESSENGER can be found at http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/index.php and details of DTM’s staff, laboratory facilities, and ongoing research can be found at http://www.dtm.ciw.edu. Fellowships are usually renewable for a second and sometimes a third year.
Applications should be submitted online at https://jobs.carnegiescience.edu/jobs/dtm and should include a curriculum vitae, list of publications, description of thesis research, a short (2-3 page) statement of research plans for the fellowship period, and three letters of recommendation by those familiar with your work. Submission details are available when you click on “Apply Now”. Review of the applications will begin on March 15, 2014. Address any questions you have to [email protected]. Carnegie Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minority candidates are especially encouraged to apply.
Current state: Approved and Notify DPS Secretary
Department: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
City: Pasadena
State/Province: CA
Country: USA
Contact Person: Paul Hayne
Institution: California Institute of Technology
Application Due Date: Monday, December 02 2013
Web Link: http://kiss.caltech.edu/fellowships/
Caltech’s Keck Institute for Space Studies is accepting applications for a postdoctoral position in the field of planetary science in connection with an ongoing study entitled “New Approaches to Lunar Ice Detection and Mapping” (link). The objective of the project will be to collect and compare available spacecraft and telescope remote sensing data with the goal of forming a coherent picture of the distribution and nature of lunar ice deposits to help guide future exploration activities. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Planetary Science, Physics, Astronomy or related fields, and have experience working with large multidimensional datasets. The successful applicant will be based at either Caltech campus or the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
For more information about the KISS postdoctoral program, and to apply, see: http://kiss.caltech.edu/fellowships/
To request information on the lunar ice study and postdoctoral
opportunity, contact: Paul Hayne ([email protected])
Current state: Approved
Department: Earth and Planetary Sciences Department
City: Knoxville
State/Province: Tennessee
Country: USA
Contact Person: Professor Joshua Emery
Institution: University of Tennessee
Application Due Date: Monday, September 23 2013
Web Link: http://www.utk.edu/
The Earth and Planetary Sciences Department at the University of Tennessee invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in planetary remote sensing. Research will focus on thermal modeling of asteroid regoliths in support of the NASA-funded OSIRIS-REx sample return mission. Specific tasks will include assisting in the development and testing of an asteroid thermal emission model to be used by the mission as well as analysis of existing thermal data of analog asteroids. Experience with numerical modeling is required. Candidates must have a PhD in the physical sciences (planetary science, geology, astronomy, physics, or related fields).
The initial appointment is for one year, but the appointment is renewable for an additional year. Review of applications will begin July 1, 2013, and the position will remain open until filled. The expected start date is October 1, 2013.
Applicants should submit (electronic submission is preferred) resume, statement of research experience and interests, and letters of recommendation from three references to Prof. Joshua Emery ([email protected]), Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996. UTK is a EEO/AA/Title IX/Section 504/ADA employer.
