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| Postdoc in Molecular Astrophysics (Astrochemistry) with JWST (3 years) | Closing date: 2026-03-31
Contact: Maria Drozdovskaya |
| What sets the chemical composition of planet-forming materials? By studying the composition of the earliest sites of star and planet formation with JWST, we can begin to unravel how natal environments predetermine planetary composition. | | ▸ more | The goal is to observationally study prestellar cores and protostellar environments with JWST, in order to obtain a chemical inventory of the interstellar ices therein. To start, NIRCAM and NIRSpec data are already available for reduction and analysis. Of particular interest to the project are complex organic species and their precursors. Over the course of the project, emphasis will be placed on securing statistically significant samples. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will be given significant autonomy and will help develop future research areas. You will immediately become part of international consortia with ample opportunity to collaborate and expand your network. This is a fixed-term, 3-year position funded by the European Research Council (ERC) 2025 Consolidator Grant (CoG).
You will join a brand-new ambitious Molecular Astrophysics Group at the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (DCBP) at Universität Bern (UniBe), founded on May 1st, 2026. With us, you will have a major impact on shaping the group's culture and approach to science for the coming years. As a more experienced member of a new and growing research group, you will be expected to take on roles with more responsibilities, while benefiting from more facetime with your supervisor and short internal decision making. Powerful computers to facilitate work on JWST data will be made available. The Molecular Astrophysics Group will be an international team with scientific excellence, mutual empowerment, and collective resilience as its core values.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Reduce and analyze JWST NIRCam and NIRSpec data
- Develop and apply data reduction pipelines
- Lead publications in high-impact journals
- Contribute to and lead future observing proposals
- Present results at international conferences and consortia meetings
- Co-supervise MSc/PhD students (optional)
REQUIREMENTS
- PhD degree in a relevant field (astronomy, astrophysics, chemistry, physics)
- Research experience backed by a publication record
- Programming skills (e.g., Python)
- Interest to develop leadership skills and work autonomously
- [preferred] Research experience with JWST data and molecular astrophysics
- [preferred] Experience developing pipelines for observational data reduction
START DATE
June 1st, 2026 or later by agreement
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until filled. Apply by March 31st, 2026 for full consideration. Send the following documents in a single PDF to maria.drozdovskaya @ unibe.ch
1. Motivation Letter (1 pg. max)
2. CV
3. Publication List
4. Contact information of 3 references (that may be contacted for a reference letter at a later stage)
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