The Institute for Astronomy of the ETH Zurich, Star and Planet Formation Research Group (led by Professor Michael Meyer) invites applications for a new post-doctoral fellowship related to the STARFORM Project. STARFORM is a Swiss collaboration (the University of Geneva, the University of Zurich, and the ETH Zurich) aimed at understanding the star formation process from observational, theoretical, and computational points of view. We seek to explore star formation within nearby molecular clouds and in distant galaxies, from small to large scales, using in particular infrared and millimeter observations and state-of-the-art simulations. More information can be found at http://obswww.unige.ch/wordpress/starform.
As part of this project, the ETH Zurich will work closely with colleagues at the University of Zurich to create mock observations of hydrodynamic models of molecular clouds and compare them quantitatively to observations. We are part of an on-going survey of the Orion B molecular cloud and will collaborate with experts in analysis of cloud structure and comparison of models to data. We will also work with colleagues at the University of Geneva on related projects. Salaries and duration of appointments will be commensurate with experience. Starting salaries begin at CHF 84’700, with initial appointments of 2+1 years, up to a maximum of six.
Switzerland is a member of ESO and ESA, and successful applicants will have full access to their facilities, as well as data from ongoing programs utilizing the Hubble Space Telescope, the Herschel Space Telescope and a range of millimeter wave survey telescopes. The Institute for Astronomy maintains a network of workstations, as well as a range of high performance computing options, including stand-alone machines, large clusters, and the resources of the Swiss National Supercomputing Center (CSCS).
Applications are invited from all nationalities and should consist of a CV and brief descriptions of past/proposed research (combined length not to exceed 10 pages). A separate publication list should be attached. Materials should be sent electronically in a single pdf file. This file, as well as three letters of reference (sent directly by the referees) should be sent to eth-astro-star-planet@phys.ethz.ch. Review of applications will begin December 1, 2012 and will continue until positions are filled.
