PhD student position on simulations of star-planet interactions

The Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP), located in the greater Berlin metropolitan area, invites applications for a

PhD student position on simulations of star-planet interactions.

The focus of the offered PhD project is to numerically investigate possible scenarios for magnetic star-planet interactions. Processes such as exoplanet atmosphere loss driven by coronal mass ejections and the possible influence on stellar activity signatures due to interactions with the exoplanet’s magnetosphere will be considered. The successful candidate will employ supercomputer models that simulate the magnetized environment of the star-planet system, including the corona, stellar wind and planetary magnetosphere and atmospheric outflows. The PhD student will be supervised by Prof. Katja Poppenhäger and mentored by Dr. Julián D. Alvarado-Gómez.

Applicants should typically hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in astrophysics or a related discipline at the time of starting the position. Students from countries where a bachelor's degree is customary as entry condition for a PhD program can apply, too; eligibility will be considered on a case by case basis. Applicants are expected to have some experience in scientific coding.

We aim to fill this position by summer 2020. The salary will be based on the German public service scale (65% TV-L E13).

Applications for the position should be submitted via the AIP job application portal https://jobs.aip.de/rec057 and contain a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, and a statement of previous research experience, the latter not exceeding 2 pages. Applicants should also provide the contact information for 2 reference letter writers via the application portal.

The AIP is an equal opportunity employer who values diversity and particularly encourages women and other underrepresented groups to apply.