Lecturer in Exoplanet Physics

Submission Information
Publish Date: 
Friday, July 20, 2018
Archive Date: 
Friday, August 17, 2018
Job Summary
Job Category: 
Faculty Positions (tenure and tenure-track)
Institution Classification/Type: 
Foreign
Institution/Company: 
Imperial College London
Department Name: 
Astrophysics Group, Department of Physics
Street Line 1: 
Blackett Laboratory
City: 
South Kensington
State/Province: 
London
Country: 
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Announcement
Job Announcement Text: 

Applications are invited for a Lecturer in Exoplanet Physics, within the Astrophysics Group in the Department of Physics at Imperial College London. We are seeking a candidate with expertise in the theory and numerical simulations of exoplanets and protoplanetary disks.

The Astrophysics Group has a strong programme in solar and stellar physics, protoplanetary disk physics, and galactic and extragalactic star formation, involving observations, numerical simulations and theory. It further fosters collaborations with the Solar System and Planetary group to apply insights and models for solar system bodies to exoplanetary systems, and with the Plasma Physics Group to model phenomena such as stellar jets and star-planet magnetic interactions. It also has an internationally recognised centre for astrostatistics, with emphasis on Bayesian analysis of large scale astronomical surveys, cosmology and particle physics. Separately, the Group has a very strong program in cosmology and astroparticle physics. The Group also has access to Imperial’s state-of-the-art High-Performance Computing facilities.

You will have proven expertise in the general area of stellar and exoplanetary astrophysics, with particular emphasis on the theory and numerical simulations of exoplanet formation and evolution, protoplanetary disks, and planet-disk and planet-star interactions. You will be expected to play a leading role in interpreting the results of ongoing and upcoming exoplanet missions such as TESS, JWST, CHEOPS and Ariel, to fundamentally advance our understanding of how various classes of planets form and evolve, and implications for habitability. Existing collaborations on the part of the candidate with such missions will be an advantage. The Group is committed to making Imperial a world-class centre for exoplanetary research, and you will lead the effort in this. You will also play a vital role in developing an ongoing initiative to create a top-notch cross-disciplinary facility in exobiology at Imperial, taking advantage of the College’s extensive expertise and resources in astrophysics, planetary sciences, geophysics, chemistry, biology and computing.

You will have a good undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics, or an equivalent level of qualifications and/or experience, together with a portfolio of research publications commensurate with your career stage. You will be able to identify key current areas of exoplanetary research, investigate these with theory and simulations pertinent to observational results, and guide future observations. A proven record of extracting and publishing physics results based on observations, together with experience of contributing to astrophysical collaborations, is essential.

You will have an excellent record of research achievement. Evidence of attracting research funding and/or bids for other financial support, or an equivalent measure of impact, is also essential. You must also have the potential to raise external research funding from UK, EU and other sources to maintain and enhance the College's activities in theoretical astrophysics research. You will also be expected to demonstrate evidence of being able to establish a coherent research activity of your own, and the potential to achieve national and international eminence in your chosen field or an emerging international reputation.

You will have excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey ideas and concepts clearly and effectively to a range of audiences through a variety of methods and media. You will also be expected to have a commitment to excellence in teaching at the university level. Previous experience of teaching effectively at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level is also essential.

The post is available immediately and the starting date will be by negotiation. Interviews are expected to take place in September.

Applications can be made online via our website. Please go to www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs and search for NAT00227.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Professor Andrew Jaffe, Head of the Astrophysics Group, either directly (email: [email protected]) or via the Astrophysics administration office (Louise Hayward; tel: +44 (0) 20 7594 7679, or e-mail: [email protected]).

Queries relating to the application process should be directed to Louise Hayward, Section Administrator – [email protected]

For any technical queries during the application process please contact: [email protected]

 

Pay Compensation
Compensation Notes: 
Salary is £47,910 - £53,400
Application Deadline: 
Monday, August 20, 2018
Selection Deadline: 
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Current Status of Position: 
Accepting Applicants
Apply to Job
Attention To: 
Louise Hayward
Title: 
Miss
Institution/Company: 
Imperial College London
Department Name: 
Astrophysics Group, Department of Physics
Street Line 1: 
Blackett Laboratory
State/Province: 
London
Country: 
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Phone: 
+44 (0)20 759 47679
Inquiries About Job
Attention To: 
Louise Hayward
Subject: 
Lecturer in Exoplanet Physics