Applications are invited for a research assistant (PhD student) position at the University of Geneva (Geneva Observatory) working with Prof. Christophe Lovis and Prof. Emeline Bolmont on the modeling and future characterization of temperate/hot rocky planets around low-mass stars. The successful applicant is expected to work with a global climate model to study the effect of a variety of different parameters on the atmosphere and habitability of planets. The work will involve to run extensive simulations with the 3D Global Climate Model LMD-Generic and analyze the resulting outputs. The LMD-Generic (http://www-planets.lmd.jussieu.fr) is a generic version of the Earth global climate model used to study global warming. The student will work in close collaboration with Dr. Martin Turbet from the LMD.
The student will also work on the implementation of new physical processes in the model, in particular the heat flux due to tidal dissipation inside planets and the impact of volcanic gases and aerosols on the atmosphere. The student will also link the outputs of the simulations of atmospheres to observables for future instruments, in which Geneva has a leading role: RISTRETTO (VLT) and HIRES (ELT). A particular emphasis will be put on high-resolution spectroscopic diagnostics in reflected light. This PhD will therefore bring an important modeling effort for the preparation of these future atmospheric characterization instruments.
Setting: The Geneva Observatory offers one of the most vibrant environments worldwide for exoplanet research. Nearly 60 people contributes to the exoplanet team (www.exoplanets.ch), currently including 10 faculty members, 15 postdoctoral researchers, 17 PhD students, and 22 project staff members. Research topics include exoplanet detection, exoplanet characterization (atmospheres, interiors), planetary system dynamics, and instrumentation. Team members are directly involved into a large number of projects, including photometric instruments (CHEOPS, TESS, PLATO, NGTS), high-resolution spectrographs (HARPS, HARPS-North, NIRPS and ESPRESSO) and direct imaging (SPHERE @ VLT). The exoplanet team is also part of PlanetS (www.nccr-planets.ch), a Swiss research network focused on planetary science, which includes ~130 scientists from the Universities of Geneva, Bern, Zurich and ETH Zurich. The successful applicant will be able to take advantage of this unique collaborative framework and also participate to at least one observational run per year.
The University of Geneva is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in its workplace.
Start date: no later than June 2022.
Duration: This is a 4-year position.
Salary: ~48,000 CHF/year gross salary, according to rules of the University and Canton of Geneva.
Deadline: Candidates are encouraged to apply by December 15th, 2021, but later applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.
Requirements: A MSc degree in astronomy, astrophysics or related fields.
The successful applicant will be immersed in a team work environment, therefore good team playing abilities and focus will be praised soft skills.
The following application materials should be encapsulated within a single pdf and sent to emeline.bolmont @ unige.ch
- A curriculum vitae (2 pages).
- A cover letter (1 page) listing the names of 2 references/referees.
Up to two letters of recommendation should be sent directly to Prof. Bolmont by the referees themselves.
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