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| ESO Studentship Programme 2019/2020 | Closing date: 2019-05-31
Contact: Pauline Conlon |
| he European Southern Observatory is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe. The research studentship programme of ESO provides an outstanding opportunity for PhD students to conduct their research in the vibrant scientific environment of one of the world's leading observatories for a period of up to two years. | | ▸ more | Its approximately 110 staff astronomers, 40 Fellows and 40 PhD students conduct frontline research in fields ranging from exoplanets to cosmology, offering one of the most collaborative and stimulating scientific settings anywhere in the world.
ESO's studentship positions are open to students enrolled in a PhD programme in astronomy or related fields (observational, theoretical and fundamental astrophysics). Students accepted into the programme work on their doctoral project under the formal supervision of their home university, but they come to ESO to work and study under the co-supervision of an ESO staff astronomer, normally for a period of between one and two years. Studentships may be hosted either at ESO's Headquarters in Garching (Germany) or at ESO's offices in Santiago (Chile), where up to two positions per year are provided for students enrolled in South American universities.
Applicants and their home institute supervisors should agree upon and coordinate their research project jointly with their prospective ESO supervisor. For this purpose the ESO supervisor should be contacted well in advance of the application deadlines (next deadline is 31 May 2019). A list of potential ESO supervisors and their research interests can be found at: http://www.eso.org/sci/activities/personnel.html.
ESO Chile students have the opportunity to visit the observatories and to get involved in small technical projects that equip them with hands-on skills and give them insights into the observatory operations and instrumentation. Such involvement is also strongly encouraged for Garching students. ESO students at both sites benefit from a vital collaborative environment among a multi-disciplined young generation. They stay in touch with the latest developments in science and have the opportunity to network with top researchers visiting ESO. In addition, students in Garching may attend and benefit from the series of lectures delivered in the framework of the International Max-Planck Research School on Astrophysics. ESO students have also the possibility to join in many outreach activities.
Students who are already enrolled in a PhD programme in the Munich area (e.g., at the International Max-Planck Research School on Astrophysics or a Munich University) and who wish to apply for an ESO studentship in Garching, should provide a compelling justification for their application.
If you are interested in enhancing your PhD experience in an international and culturally-rich environment, growing your network of potential collaborators and overall consolidating your scientific profile through an extended stay at ESO, then please apply by completing the web application form available at http://recruitment.eso.org/.
Please include the following documents in your application:
* a cover letter;
* a curriculum vitae, including a list of publications, if any;
* copies of your university transcript and certificate(s) or diploma(s);
* a summary of your master's thesis project (if applicable) and ongoing projects, indicating the title and the supervisor (maximum half a page);
* an outline of the proposed PhD project (recommended one page, maximum two), containing a clear timeline including the start and expected end dates of the PhD, and the requested starting date and duration for the studentship at ESO. The candidate should also highlight in the project the advantages of coming to ESO;
* the names and contact details of your home institute supervisor and the ESO local supervisor. Applicants are responsible for triggering (via the web application form) requests for recommendation letters to be submitted. This trigger request can be sent prior to the submission of application and should be initiated well in advance of the application deadline;
* a letter from the home institute that: i) guarantees financial support (salary, health insurance and travel money) for the remaining PhD period after the termination of the ESO studentship; ii) indicates whether the prerequisites to obtain the PhD degree at the home institute have already been met.
All documents should be typed in English (but no translation is required for the certificates and diplomas).
Depending on the number of available positions, there might be up to two application rounds per year (with closing dates for applications 31 May and 15 November of the current calendar year). The coming round has a deadline for the submission of application on 31 May 2019. Review of the application documents, including the recommendation letters, begins immediately following the deadline. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Candidates will be notified of the results of the selection process within two months following the deadline. Studentships considered in the coming May round will normally begin between August 2019 - March 2020. Studentships considered in the November round will normally begin between March 2020 - August 2020. In exceptional cases, students could start their studentship at ESO later than these indicated dates. The justification for this deferred start should be well justified in the application and supported by the supervisors.
Please review the full ESO Studentship Programme vacancy and instructions on how to apply available to view from: http://recruitment.eso.org/. Closing date for applications is 31 May 2019. Requests for recommendation letters should be triggered immediately - do not delay.
No nationality is in principle excluded however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom and, for Chile, to students enrolled in a South American university irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, race or religion.
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| Assistant Professor position in astronomy | Closing date: 2019-05-15
Contact: Andy Baran |
| Department of Physics of the Pedagogical University of Cracow invites applications for an assistant professor position in astronomy to begin in October, 2019. More details on the application procedure and documents that must be submitted are available from Andy Baran (andrzej.baran@up.krakow.pl). The position is scientific, not teaching, however we expect that our new employee will provide up to 30hours/year, general education level classes and/or outreach. The employee will have opportunity to participate in two current grants on sdB stars. | | ▸ more | The competition may be entered by the candidates who meet the requirements stated in the article 113 and 116, paragraph 2 point 3 of Law of 20th July 2018, Law on Higher Education (Journal of Laws from 2018, item 1668), and the following requirements:
Application Requirements:
1/ Ph.D. degree in Physical Sciences (astronomy related) received not earlier than in 2015;
2/ Scientific achievements in the field of Astronomy and Stellar Spectroscopy;
3/ Experience in Spectroscopy, preferably compact stars.
In the case of employment the following will be expected from an employee:
1/ participating in research work in the field of hot subdwarfs;
2/ application for research projects founded from external sources;
3/ publication of the results of conducted research in scientific journals of international standing;
4/ participation in the organizational works of the Physics Department;
5/ providing teaching up to 30 hours / year
List of the required documents that should be submitted by the candidate:
1) an application to the Rector of the Pedagogical University of Cracow;
2) personal questionnaire, C.V.;
3) photocopies of diplomas of graduation and a diploma confirming obtaining a Ph.D. degree (in case of degrees obtained abroad a document certifying its equivalence is required);
4) list of published scientific papers;
5) list of research projects in which the candidate participated;
6) copies of certificates, diplomas and other documents confirming possible additional qualifications;
7) optional, opinions of Ph.D. dissertation from the scientific supervisor or references from a superior from a previous or current job;
8) a statement stating that the Pedagogical University of Cracow will be the primary place of work (if accepted an offer);
9) statement on the knowledge and acceptance of rules regarding intellectual property and legal protection of the intellectual property at the Pedagogical University of Cracow;
10) statement on meeting the conditions set out in Article 113 of the Act of 20 July 2018 on the Law on Higher Education and Science (consolidated text: Journal of Laws 2018, item 1668).
Note: 1) diplomas, certificates and other documents confirming qualifications should be copies confirmed as true copies; 2) submitted documents should be signed by the candidate;
ORGANISATION/COMPANY - Pedagogical University of Cracow
RESEARCH FIELD - Astronomy, Astrophysics
LOCATION Poland ? Cracow
TYPE OF CONTRACT - Temporary (up to 4 years), extension possible
JOB STATUS - Full-time
OFFER STARTING DATE - 01/10/2019
e-mail for submission: wydz_mft @ up.krakow.pl
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| Postdoc needed in our galactic stellar-mass black hole hunt with Gaia | Closing date: 2019-04-31
Contact: Lukasz Wyrzykowski |
| Single black holes can be found with gravitational microlensing effect if an effort is put in a long-term photometric and spectroscopic observations of on-going microlensing events. We will explore Gaia alerts and Gaia data, apply machine learning tools and coordinate a world-scale follow-up campaign in order to identify first cases of single black holes in the Milky Way. Why not become part of our international team and take part in this ground-breaking discovery? | | ▸ more | In our project aim at finding the first examples of single black holes in the Milky Way using the gravitational microlensing technique. We are going to use Gaia space mission superb astrometry in order to measure the masses of lenses and to recognise massive and dark ones. However, Gaia data requires to be supplemented with ground-based photometric and spectroscopic long-term observations. In this project, we are going to exploit the data from Gaia and coordinate and use a network of telescopes from around the globe in order to collect a vast data set of well-observed microlensing events from the entire sky. We will also start working towards the use of the same technique for black holes discovery in LSST. The project is operated in co-operation with the Vilnius University, Lithuania.
The tasks for the postdoctoral researcher:
- coordination of the network of telescopes, both robotic and manual
observing trips (e.g., Italy, Greece, France, Chile, La Palma)
- photometric and spectroscopic data processing and analysis
- investigation of the data in order to classify targets into classes
- application of machine learning into data analysis
- analysis of the Gaia space mission data and ground-based follow-up
proposal and articles writing.
Main requirements:
- PhD in astronomy or related subject, obtained no later than 7 years before commencing the job
- observing and data processing experience
- programming skills for data analysis
- very good communication skills and writing ability in English
- desired: prior knowledge of Gaia data or involvement in large surveys or strong experience in obsering and data processing
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| 2-yr Postdoctoral position on stellar magnetism at LUPM, University of Montpellier, France | Closing date: 2019-05-12
Contact: Julien Morin |
| Within the Stellar Astrophysics group at LUPM the applicant will contribute to the scientific exploitation of the BinaMIcS spectropolarimetric survey carried out with ESPaDOnS at CFHT. The proposed project aims to model the surface magnetic field of both components of several SB2 sytems composed of two cool stars, and then to study the effects of binarity on stellar dynamos and magnetic interactions in these systems. | | ▸ more | Full job description is available on the CNRS recruitment portal:
https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR5299-CARPRE0-007/Default.aspx?lang=EN
Interested candidates should apply through the CNRS employment portal and send a full application including cover letter, CV, list of publication, brief description of research interests (2 pages) to julien.morin @ umontpellier.fr and arrange for up to three reference letters to be sent directly to the same address before the deadline on 12th May 2019. Inquiries about the position and the application can be sent to the same address.
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| Square Kilometre Array Regional Centre Scientist | Closing date: 2019-04-18
Contact: Human Resources |
Reference: RCS/19
Reports To: SKA Regional Centre Project Scientist
Contact type: Fixed term contract to June 2022
Location: Jodrell Bank, Cheshire, UK
How to apply: Please send
- a cover letter summarising how your skills, experience and knowledge meet each of the mandatory and desirable qualifications, experience and knowledge criteria as listed in the job description above;
- a CV;
- details of your current remuneration package and notice period,
- to jobs@skatelescope.org, quoting reference RCS/19. | | ▸ more | Organisation and Project Background
The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is a global project to build a multi-purpose radio telescope that will play a major role in answering key questions in modern astrophysics and cosmology.
Twelve governments are now participating in the project, with others engaged in discussions regarding possible membership. Facilities for the new telescope will be located in South Africa and Australia, with our headquarters in a purpose-built building at Jodrell Bank, Cheshire, UK. SKA HQ currently houses around 80 staff but has just undergone a major expansion to accommodate up to 150 staff as the project moves towards construction and operation of the SKA telescopes.
Negotiations between the governments of SKA member countries to establish the SKA Observatory as an Inter-Governmental Organisation (IGO) have recently concluded with the IGO due to be established in 2020.
The Role
The first phase of the SKA is due to begin construction soon after the IGO is formed in 2020, and become fully operational in 2027. The operation of the SKA Observatory is currently being planned, and Science Working Groups from across the SKA community are developing the future science programme for the Observatory.
The SKA telescopes will generate unprecedented amounts of data, both in terms of total annual rates and in terms of the size of individual data products. The Observatory will produce calibrated data products but these will need further analysis or processing to be fully science-ready. Users will interact with these data sets via SKA Regional Centres (SRCs), which we anticipate will be part of a global network of facilities providing data storage, archive services and processing capabilities. These SRCs will require a collaboration of regional initiatives in order to function as a coherent network providing access to scientists across the world.
The European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) has just been established and will very likely provide the framework within which a European SRC will function. The ESCAPE project (European Science Cluster of Astronomy and Particle physics ESFRI research Infrastructures) has just been funded to ?16M as part of the Horizon 2020 (H2020) EC funding cycle, and will run until June 2022 with the goal of defining and implementing the EOSC, and enabling the principles of open science, in the fields of astronomy and particle physics.
The role of the SKA Organization within the ESCAPE project is to work with international collaborators to develop prototypes of SRCs for distributed storage and computing, and for the provision of a science platform that will enable users to develop and deploy pipelines for use with SKA-scale data sets across a network of computing and storage infrastructures.
We are looking for motivated individuals to join our group to conduct and document prototyping work on the concepts of federated data storage and distributed workflow management ? specifically seeking to understand three areas:
1. how Exabyte-scale archives including very large volume data objects might function effectively and scalably across the globe,
2. how computations requiring significant HPC time at distributed facilities could be managed, and,
3. how individual science users develop workflows collaboratively for deployment in this distributed environment.
These prototyping and development activities will be part of work in the ESCAPE project, which will entail strong collaboration with partners across several institutes but especially with CERN, in Geneva, and ASTRON, in the Netherlands.
You will join SKA Organisation?s Operations group, and work with a team from across the Operations and Software and Computing groups. In addition to the ESCAPE work, you will have the opportunity to support the SKA?s other SRC related work by assisting in developing technical data challenges around distributed storage and related areas to ensure that the work done within the ESCAPE project is put into the global context.
Key Duties, Accountabilities and Responsibilities
Under guidance from their SKAO line manager the post holders will:
- Help develop, test, optimise and maintain a prototype SKA data lake (as a pre-cursor to a network of SRCs) using scientific data management tools.
- Liaise with members of the SKA Science Working Groups to determine the data storage Quality of Service requirements for the various SKA science projects
- Be part of a team developing a Science Gateway for SKA as a framework for collaborations of science users to write and deploy workflows for use on remotely linked HPC centres.
- Attend frequent meetings to develop the ESCAPE work and report progress internally to SKAO and by writing high quality documents as deliverables for the ESCAPE project.
Mandatory Qualifications, Experience and Knowledge:
- A PhD or equivalent, in Astronomy, Physics, Computer Science or a closely related field or equivalent experience in a professional scientific computing capacity.
- Significant experience with, and understanding of either or both
*distributed scientific data management tools (e.g. rucio).
*distributed computation frameworks (e.g. workload management and containerisation) in the Physical sciences.
- Good python programming background, including the use of Jupyter notebooks
- Ability to manage workload and targets in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
- A flexible, adaptable team player, able to work to deadlines.
- Good spoken and written English.
Desirable Qualifications, Experience and Knowledge:
- Familiarity with astronomical analysis techniques
- Proven ability to document results to a high standard
- Ability to work with remote collaborators
- Expertise in Software Programming in collaborative environments
For more information on the SKA project visit http://www.skatelescope.org.
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| Post-doctoral position in Astrophysics, Center for Theoretical Physics, Warsaw, Poland | Closing date: 2019-04-10
Contact: Bozena Czerny |
| The Director of the Center for Theoretical Physics PAS invites applications for post-doctoral position at the CTP PAS, financed from the project: Constraints on the dark energy properties from observations of active galaxies Nr DEC-2017/26/A/ST9/00756. PI of the project is Prof. Bozena Czerny. | | ▸ more | Center for Theoretical Physics invites applications for post-doctoral position at the CTP PAS, financed from the project ?Constraints on the dark energy properties from observations of active galaxies?. PI of the project is Prof. Bozena Czerny.
At the time of application the candidates should either have a PhD degree, obtained not earlier than in 2012, or will obtain a PhD degree before signing the job contract. We search for candidates interested in the research in the domain of astrophysics. Candidates with previous experience in astrophysics, and in particular in optical observations and in programming, are particularly welcome. Among the tasks of the employed scientists will be the analysis of the potential sources of the systematic errors in distance determination to quasars from the reverberation method (problem of scattering in the hot medium filling the BLR region, the problem of the change in the mean viewing angle, mean black hole mass and mean accretion rate with redshift as a result of the systematic evolution of AGN). More details about the employment can be found at
http://www.cft.edu.pl/index.php?lang=en
and more about the project can be found at
http://www.cft.edu.pl/czerny2/en/project.html
Candidates should submit before April 10, 2019, the following documents to the Secretariat of the Center, Al. Lotników 32/46, Warsaw:
1. The scientific CV, including the major scientific achievements, list of publications, participation in research projects and conferences, and the document must contain a statement: ?I consent to the processing of my personal data for the needs of the recruitment process (in accordance with the Law dated 29.08.97 on the protection of personal data (Journal of Laws, No. 101, item 926)?.
2. Personal questionnaire form (should be downloaded from CTP web site http://www.cft.edu.pl/upload/kwestionariusz_osobowy.pdf)
3. Three recommendation letters with contact information, including e-mail addresses
4. Certified copy of the PhD diploma or the letter from the supervisor about the prospects for completion of the Thesis before the beginning of the employment.
Documents can be sent by e-mail to rekrutacja @ cft.edu.pl, attention BC/2/2019. Questions about the project and employment conditions should be sent directly to Prof. Bozena Czerny (bcz @ cft.edu.pl).
Review of applications is expected before April 30, 2019. Applicants will be informed about the results by e-mail. The selected candidate will be employed for a period of 36 months. The starting date of the employment is envisaged to be between 1 July and 1 October 2019, but is to some extent negotiable.
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| Operations Staff Astronomer | Closing date: 2019-05-06
Contact: Vacchile |
Paranal Staff Astronomers have the opportunity and challenge to contribute to the operation of the world leading astronomical facility and optimize its scientific output.
In the last years, major new systems have complemented our suite of instruments. This includes the VLTI 2nd generation instruments Gravity & Matisse, the Adaptive Optics Facility (AOF) on UT4 and the planet hunter ESPRESSO. ERIS and the MOS facilities MOONS & 4MOST are upcoming future systems at the VLT. Furthermore, preparations for the inclusion of the ELT into Paranal Science Operations have started.
| | ▸ more | The successful candidate will have the opportunity to gain and provide expert knowledge on novel instrumentation and may be given the overall responsibility for an instrument at the Very Large Telescope. Flexibility exists so as to tailor duties and responsibilities according to personal expertise and interests.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
As part of the operations team, the successful candidate will:
_ Contribute to the observing support in both visitor and service mode at Paranal Observatory, including short-term scheduling of observations, calibration of instruments and the assessment of the scientific quality of the astronomical data.
_ Work in collaboration with one or several of the teams operating the instruments currently on the mountain to improve their operations and scientific performance and contribute to the operations-readiness of the upcoming generation of VLT(-I) systems.
_ Become involved in preparations for the ELT systems.
The successful candidate will be member of the ESO Science Faculty, with an appointment at the level of Assistant or Associate Astronomer. S/he will be expected and encouraged to actively conduct astronomical research.
We are seeking a Ph.D. in Astronomy, Physics or equivalent, with a strong background in state-of-the-art observing techniques relevant to Paranal Observatory and a solid scientific track record in observational astronomy.
Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter, a research statement and a CV (with list of publications). The position requires three letters of reference to be sent to vacancy @ eso.org.
For more information and online applications go to https://recruitment.eso.org/, and visit the public web page of Paranal Science Operations http://www.eso.org/sci/facilities/paranal/sciops.html.
Closing date is 6 May 2019
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| PhD position: Electromagnetic Follow-up of Gravitational Wave Events and Other Transients at Hamburg University | Closing date: 2019-04-30
Contact: Joe Liske |
| Applications are invited for a research associate (PhD student) position in the Excellence Cluster "Quantum Universe" at Hamburg University (Hamburg Observatory) working with Prof. Joe Liske on electromagnetic follow-up of gravitational wave events and other transients, and long-term monitoring of their host galaxies. | | ▸ more | Project: The successful PhD candidate will pursue research involving electromagnetic follow-up observations of gravitational wave events and other transients, as well as of their host galaxies. In particular, this PhD project will involve setting up and exploiting a rapid response optical follow-up facility for photometric and spectroscopic observations of gravitational wave events, fast radio bursts, and for long-term monitoring of their host galaxies. This project will be closely linked to observational efforts to detect transients with the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR), as well as to theoretical efforts to understand the physics of gravitational wave sources and fast radio bursts.
Starting date: The position in accordance with Section 28, subsection 3 of the Hamburg higher education act (Hamburgisches Hochschulgesetz, HmbHG) commences on 1 September 2019 or later.
Salary level: 13TV-L (see https://www.tdl-online.de/fileadmin/downloads/rechte_Navigation/A._TV-L__2011_/02_Entgelttabellen/Anlage_B.pdf )
Setting: The Cluster of Excellence "Quantum Universe" performs research to understand mass and gravity at the interface between quantum physics and cosmology. The research team includes leading scientists from mathematics, particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology at Hamburg University and DESY. The present position will be located at Hamburg Observatory, an institute of the Department of Physics of Hamburg University.
Doctoral research associates will become members of the Quantum Universe research school (QURS) and through this receive offers for academic training, soft skills, and career planning. In addition, they will receive individual budgets, meant to enable them to attend summer schools, conferences or other educational and supporting measures. Additional travel money for project-specific duties will be made available via the hosting research groups. Doctoral research associates may actively participate in the organization of the Cluster via an early career council.
Position: This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG). The term is fixed for a period of 3 years. The position calls for 26 hours per week. Duties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue independent research and further academic qualifications.
Requirements: A university degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with the basics of astrophysics, some experi ence in coding and good communication skills in English will all be considered an asset.
Applications: The University aims to increase the number of women in research and teaching and explicitly encourages women to apply. Equally qualified female applicants will receive preference in accordance with the Hamburg act on gender equality (Hamburgisches Gleichstellungsgesetz, HmbGleiG). Qualified disabled candidates or applicants with equivalent status receive preference in the application process.
For further information, please contact Prof. Jochen Liske (+49 40 42838-8582 or jochen.liske @ uni-hamburg.de).
Applications should include a cover letter, a tabular curriculum vitae, copies of degree certificate(s), and two letters of recommendation. Please send applications by 30 April 2019 to: jochen.liske @ uni-hamburg.de and office @ qu.uni-hamburg.de. Later applications will be considered until the position is filled.
Please do not submit original documents as we are not able to return them. Any documents submitted will be destroyed after the application process has concluded.
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| Software developer in the Gaia Barcelona research team | Closing date: 2019-04-30
Contact: Lola Balaguer |
| The Gaia team of the Universitat de Barcelona (IEEC ? ICCUB) is one of the main contributors from the beginning of the concept and design of the Gaia space mission for the European Space Agency (ESA) Our team has a leading role in the data processing of astrometric and photometric data from the Gaia satellite. Our team is composed by experts in science, engineering, technology and data analysis to develop and operate data processing software for a big volume of data, validation and scientific exploitation. Our team is responsible of the Barcelona Data Processing Center in the Marenostrum (BSC) | | ▸ more | Employment Type:
Work in a leading research project at European level (ESA).
Tasks will be, depending on position: programming, data analysis, new scientific/statistical algorithms development, support/administration of systems of virtual computation?
Possibility of promotion and joining other projects.
Full time contract (possibility of part time).
Flexible schedule.
Selection Criteria:
We have several open posts in the team:
Java programming. Python will be a plus.
Highly motivated people to work in a multidisciplinary environment in a leading research at an international level.
B.Sc. or MSc finished (or pending only of final thesis) in Engineering (preferably informatics), mathematics, physics or similar.
Experience in Linux environments. Shell scripting.
Good English level (B2 minim).
For one of the posts knowledge/experience in Hadoop, Spark, Big Data and Data Mining will be a plus.
Salary range: Between 17 and 25k euros depending on qualifications.
Contact: Jordi Portell (jportell @ fqa.ub.edu).
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| PhD position in Nice - Multidimensional and simultaneous modeling of the atmosphere of exo-planets and their host stars | Closing date: 2019-05-31
Contact: Andrea Chiavassa |
We propose a funded PhD at the Observatory of Nice - Lagrange laboratory (http://lagrange.oca.eu) on stellar/planetology related subject.
We encourage students with Masters in Physics, Maths, Astronomy or related disciplines to contact Andrea Chiavassa (andrea.chiavassa@oca.eu) and Jérémy Leconte (jeremy.leconte@u-bordeaux.fr) for further details for applying.
| | ▸ more | The information we have to study a star-planet system comes from photons from this couple. In this context, the description of the atmospheres (stellar and planetary) is of paramount importance, because it is there that the radiation is formed or modified. A realistic modeling taking into account all the richness of the processes at work in the atmosphere (convection, diffusion, radiative transfer, ionization, formation of molecules / dust, refraction) is essential for the correct analysis of current and future observations.?
In order to fully understand the stellar and planetary atmosphere, it is crucial to integrate all underlying physics into numerical simulations. Therefore, atmospheric models are essential for much of contemporary astronomy.
It has become possible to produce multidimensional hydrodynamic simulations of the movement of gas coupled with radiation. This 3D approach is necessary for a qualitative and quantitative analysis of both the surface of most stars and the atmospheres of exoplanets.
The aim of the Ph.D. is to achieve a realistic virtual observations of a star-planet system, each component is described by a 3D simulation. This tool will particularly describe an unprecedented level of realism the transit (or the eclipse) of an exoplanet before (or after) its hosting star. This will apply both to the gas giants as well as the terrestrial planets.
The innovation of this work is based on the use of 3D hydrodynamical simulations for the atmosphere of both the host star (Stagger code, Nordlund et al. 2009, Living Reviews in Solar Physics) and the planet (LMDZ, Hourdin et al. 2006, Climate Dynamics, 27) during the transit. The student will work on the analysis of two aspects of simulations and, in particular, on the development of Optim3D (post processing multidimensional radiative transfer code) with the inclusion of diffusion. This physical ingredient is important both for the stellar atmospheres (scattered radiation in the upper layers where the density is low) or planets (scattered light in the optical region). The last step of the work consists in the production of spectra and images at high- resolution as a function of time to fully simulate the exoplanet transit in front of different kinds of stars. The results of such work will have an impact in different areas of astrophysics from exoplanets to stars: eg, reliable study on the impact of stellar activity and full characterization of the atmosphere of the planet during primary and secondary eclipses, brightness and atmospheric dynamics predictions, molecular and abundance of elements detection in the planet's atmosphere, the study of the fog, clouds and albedo of planets.
This work will be important for predicting the phase curves of the JWST and ARIEL space missions and it will be applicable to current observations, for example with ground spectrographs such as SPIrou, CRIRES+ and GIARPS. Moreover, this work will allow the use of Doppler signatures to characterize exoplanets (whether its orbital motion, rotation, or its circulation). Over the next decade, the development of large-aperture telescopes, such as the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) and the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) will open new opportunities for studies of extrasolar planets and their atmospheres using the tools developed during the Ph.D. The proposed thesis project will provide a unique radiative transfer code and perfectly consistent for the whole star / planet system. This project falls in a particularly important moment for the preparation to the interpretation of all these observations.
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