CSH Fellowships (University of Bern, Switzerland)

The Center for Space and Habitability (CSH) at the University of Bern, Switzerland, invites applications for CSH Fellows in the broad areas of exoplanet science, planetary science (Solar System), astrochemistry, star and planet formation, geophysics, astrobiology and science education.  We are interested in theorists, observers and instrumentation experts.  We expect to fill at least two positions.  CSH Fellows are expected to be independent postdoctoral researchers who are within 5 years of their Ph.D, and who will carry out their own early-career research program.  Each CSH Fellowship is held for 2+1 years at the University of Bern and comes with an annual 5000 CHF research budget (travel, publications, etc).  The annual salary is between 85,000 and 95,000 CHF depending on experience (years after Ph.D) and is set by a predetermined matrix from the University and Canton of Bern.  Child allowance and maternity/paternity leave are offered.  In addition to performing research, we expect each CSH Fellow to take on leadership roles in the intellectual life of the CSH, including participating actively in the CSH Colloquia, CSH Seminars, CSH Lunches (includes journal clubs), hosting research visitors, participating in review panels for vetting new CSH Fellows, etc.

Each prospective candidate will submit a research proposal with a maximum length of 5 pages.  The candidate will use a maximum of 3 pages to explain her/his existing research expertise and interests performed either during the Ph.D or previous postdoctoral position(s).  The rest of the proposal (minimum 2 pages) should describe the future research to be pursued at the CSH, including key scientific questions addressed and the anticipated scientific impact.  The candidate should also briefly describe her/his career ambitions and plans for the next 5 years (one paragraph).  Elucidating possible synergies with existing CSH researchers is looked upon favorably; please consult CSH website for details.  Additional application materials include a 2-page CV, a list of peer-reviewed publications (no page limit) and a cover letter (1 page) listing the names of 3 referees/references. 

The entire application should be submitted as a SINGLE PDF FILE (minus the letters of recommendation) to CSH secretary Danielle Zemp (danielle.zemp ‘at’ csh.unibe.ch) by the application deadline of 31st October 2018.  Please label your main PDF file as “X.pdf” where “X” is your last name (all letters in lower capitals).  Applications sent as multiple files will not be processed.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that three letters of recommendation are sent directly and separately to CSH Secretary Danielle Zemp by the letter writers themselves (and NOT the candidate).

Shortlisted candidates will be informed on 4th December 2018, and will be invited to the annual CSH Symposium on 24th and 25th January 2019 in Bern, Switzerland, for talks and interviews.  We expect to extend formal offers on 28th January 2019.