Postdoctoral position: Participation to the SPECULOOS exoplanet search

The University of Liege, Belgium, invites applications for a postdoctoral research position to work on the SPECULOOS exoplanet transit survey. The core of the project is the SPECULOOS-South Observatory (SSO) composed of four robotic 1m telescopes at ESO Paranal Observatory, Chile. After a training phase, the successful applicant will be in charge of managing the SSO facility at the operational and technical levels, in collaboration with the rest of the SPECULOOS team. As the SSO facility is already installed and in operation, and as its maintenance and operation procedures are already well-defined, its management should take no more than half of the work time of the successful applicant. The other half should be devoted to exoplanet research, in collaboration with the other members of the SPECULOOS team, and preferably based on the scientific exploitation of the data gathered by the SPECULOOS telescopes.

The candidate should hold a PhD in astronomy (or equivalent). A strong expertise in observational astronomy, instrumentation, and robotic telescopes is required. Some expertise in transiting exoplanets is desirable, but not mandatory. The candidate cannot have resided or exercised his/her main activity in Belgium for more than 24 months during the last three years immediately preceding the start of the contract, and he/she cannot have defended his/her thesis more than 6 years before the start of the post-doc fellowship.  The ability to write and speak fluently in English is mandatory.

The contract is for one year, renewable for one year depending on mutual satisfaction. Aimed starting date: June 1st, 2021, upon agreement with the chosen candidate. Monthly payment: ∼2550 Euros (net salary, including holidays, healthcare and retirement fees). Travel grants (conferences, on site missions) and equipment (laptop, desktop computer) will be provided to the selected applicant. 

Applications should contain a CV, a list of publications, a copy of the PhD diploma, a letter of motivation of no more than 3 pages, and a list of three reference persons.