|
European Astronomical Society
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EAS Job Directory
Find Jobs
| Postdoc position in the ESCHER (ExtraterreStrial prebiotic CHEmistRy) interdisciplinary research project | Closing date: 2019-12-15
Contact: Clio Gielen |
The Institute of Astronomy, KU Leuven, invites applications for a postdoctoral position in the field of astrochemistry and exoplanets, under the supervision of Prof. Leen Decin in the interdisciplinary ESCHER (Extraterrestrial Prebiotic Chemistry, fys.kuleuven.be/ster/research-projects/escher) project.
| | ▸ more | The ESCHER project:
The question of the origin of life is more than ever under the spotlight now that new telescopes allow scientists to detect biosignatures on exoplanets. However, the analysis and interpretation of these detections in terms of chemical and biological evolution heavily depends on our ability to understand how simple molecular units build larger macromolecular units and get (self-)organised under extraterrestrial circumstances. Mineral surfaces are thought to play a crucial factor, not only as catalysts for gas-phase reactions, but also as templates imprinting their structure onto available building units. The goal of this interdisciplinary ESCHER project is to address the role and impact of solid-state surfaces on (extra)terrestrial prebiotic chemistry. More information on the ESCHER project can be found on https://fys.kuleuven.be/ster/research-projects/escher.
The postdoctoral project:
While the relative contribution of geochemical and geothermal effects, tidal effects, thunderbolts, ultraviolet (UV) light, etc as mechanisms for the origin of life has not yet been accurately pinned down, recent studies advocate the idea that high ultraviolet levels on primordial Earth were not an obstacle to the origin of life but a selective factor that, in fact, might have driven the whole process. As such, we need to identify general constraints on which stars provide sufficient UV for photochemistry and which fraction of UV light reaches the (exo)planet surface. In addition, outgassing of volatiles from the planetary interior impacts the atmospheric composition. The objective of this position is to determine the abundance of simple molecules as a function of height for an ensemble of exoplanet conditions taking account of different UV and outgassing scenarios using state-of-the-art global circulation models (GCMs or climate models). The output of these complex models will feed the innovative open-access deep-learning EXoGAN algorithm which uses artificial intelligence to retrieve the hydrodynamical and chemical composition from exoplanet observations of current and near-future (JWST) observations.
The Host Institutes:
ESCHER is an interdisciplinary project between several research groups of KU Leuven (Belgium), including the Institute of Astronomy (Prof. Leen Decin), the Quantum Chemistry and Physical Chemistry division (Prof. Jeremy Harvey), and the Center for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis (Prof. Christine Kirschhock).
The position:
The postdoc candidate will be employed at the Institute of Astronomy. The initial contract runs over 2 years (with the possibility for prolongation). The salary will be commensurate to the standard scale for postdoctoral researchers at KU Leuven. The preferred starting date is September 2020, but will be adapted to the selected candidate?s availability. Candidates are thus requested to indicate their preferred starting date in the application. The postdoc will be encouraged to take up training in science and people management, science communication and grant application writing, with the aim to develop a personal independent career track.
Instructions to apply:
The application package should be sent as one single PDF containing
(i) a curriculum vitae, including publication list;
(ii) a statement of interest (max. 3 pages, including a brief description of research interests, relevant experience and future plans);
(iii) copies of university grades, certificates and/or diplomas;
(iv) names and contact details of 2 experts who are prepared to send confidential recommendation letters should they be requested to do so;
The application material should be sent as one PDF by e-mail to Clio.Gielen @ kuleuven.be with subject ""PD-ESCHER-applicantname"" by December 15th 2019. Applications that do not strictly follow these guidelines will not be considered.
|
More resources
Links to other job lists
|
