NEW OPENING FOR A SEVERO OCHOA POSTDOC POSITION: "Composition of exoplanetary atmospheres: modelling and observations"

  Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas   Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía   Excelencia Severo Ochoa   HR Excellence in Research
Deadline: 
April, 13th 2020
Type: 
SO-IAA postdoc
Code: 
SO_R4_006
Introduction: 

IAA-CSIC offers a two-year postdoctoral contract in the framework of the Project “Severo Ochoa” which comprises an strategic research line devoted to study the physico-chemical conditions that determine the neutral and ionospheric composition of exoplanetary atmospheres. This topic also encompasses radiative transfer calculations to obtain synthetic spectra for planning observations or to retrieve information from archival data.

Candidates are expected to carry out their activity in both of the research lines stated above.

Tasks: 

The research work will be carried out in close collaboration with staff at IAA. The tasks are the following ones:

1. To apply (and improve) available thermochemical and photochemical models written in C++ and Python.
2. To apply radiative transfer codes which are free to the scientific community to reproduce the available spectroscopic observations (HST, Spitzer, etc.) such that some unknowns (as atmospheric C/O, turbulent transport, a cloud layer, etc.) are revealed.
3. Making use of the developed models, to plan, request and analyse observations either with ground- or space-based facilities.

Requirements:

We require a Doctor, preferably on Physical Sciences, with knowledge and expertise on studying (exo)planetary atmospheres mainly from the theoretical viewpoint in the field of atmospheric composition.

- Ability for developing/applying atmospheric models in which physical and chemical processes are included.
- Ability for carrying out independent research researching, yet in synergy with a research team.
- Initiative to open research lines where theoretical and observational work are intertwined.

Expertise on scientific programming (Python, IDL, Fortran, C++...) and fluent in English are essential.

Period (months): 
24 months

The fellowships include a competitive salary and full health insurance. Selected candidates will be included in SO-IAA grants, which provide additional funds for scientific visits, attendance to advanced schools and workshops, and other training activities.

IAA is an equal opportunity institution. Applications to this program by female scientists are particularly encouraged.

Should you need any further information or assistance concerning the application, please contact the IAA at severoochoa[at]iaa.es