JWST Solar System PostDoc at Observatoire de Paris

Postdoctoral position in the planetary science group of Observatoire de Paris (LESIA)

Applications are open for a Postdoctoral Research position within the planetary science group of LESIA at Observatoire de Paris, France. The position is in relation with the Early Release Science (ERS) Program on JWST “Observations of the Jovian System as a Demonstration of JWST’s Capabilities for Solar System Science’’, to which LESIA is associated through co-PI and co-I ships. JWST is expected to be launched in the fall of 2021, and a fraction of this ERS program will be devoted to the study of the tenuous atmo/exospheres of Io and Ganymede with MIRI and NIRSpec. In particular, Io’s atmosphere will be studied from observing of SO2 gas at 8.6 and 7.3 μm, and Ganymede’s exosphere will be targeted through fluorescent emissions from H2O (6.5 μm), CO (4.65 μm), and CO2 (4.25 μm). The analysis of the data will require the development of tailored non-LTE models for these molecular features, coupled with physical (temperature, densities) models of the two objects. The successful applicant will participate in the development of a versatile non-LTE code applicable to both objects. He/she will also be involved in data reduction, modelling, and interpretation, after data are acquired (nominally in June-August 2022). Experience in radiative transfer is required, and preference will be given to applicants with experience with non-LTE aspects.

The position is available for two years, starting anytime between Oct. 01, 2021 and February 01, 2022. Gross salary will be about 3200 Euros/months. Applications will be considered as they come and welcome until Oct. 01, 2021.

Contact: Dominique Bockelée-Morvan ([email protected]), Thierry Fouchet [email protected]), Emmanuel Lellouch ([email protected])