Research Assistants/Associates in Exoplanetary Atmospheres (Fixed Term)

Fixed-term: The funds for these positions are available for 3 years in the first instance.

Applications are invited for UKRI funded postdoctoral positions at the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge to work within the research group of Prof. Nikku Madhusudhan. The group has extensive expertise and interests in areas related to exoplanetary atmospheres and interiors. The present positions will focus on characterizing atmospheres of low-mass exoplanets, in the sub-Neptune regime, using spectroscopic observations with HST, JWST and ground-based facilities, and atmospheric modelling and retrieval techniques. Multiple positions will be available across observational and theoretical areas.

Applicants are expected to have strong expertise in one or more of the following areas: (1) Astronomical spectroscopy, preferably exoplanet spectroscopy, using HST, JWST and/or ground-based telescopes, at low or high resolution, including data reduction and time series analyses, (2) Modelling of planetary atmospheres, including radiative transfer, chemistry, and/or general circulation models, (3) Planetary remote sensing and atmospheric retrieval, and (4) Data science approaches, including statistical methods, handling of large datasets, pipeline development and/or machine learning. Candidates with limited experience in exoplanetary science but with strong relevant expertise are welcome to apply.

Applicants must have a PhD in Astronomy or a related field, or have satisfied the requirements for PhD, by the time of appointment. Successful candidates will be expected to pursue a competitive research program in a collegial environment and have strong communication and computing skills. A successful candidate with a PhD will be appointed at Grade 7 (Research Associate - £34,308 to £42,155 per annum). A candidate who has not been awarded their PhD will initially be appointed at Grade 5 (Research Assistant - £27,929 to £32,348 per annum) and, upon award of PhD, promoted to Grade 7.

The University of Cambridge thrives on the diversity of its staff and students. Applications from underrepresented groups are particularly welcome. We have an active Equality and Diversity Committee which continually works to further the aims of the Athena SWAN charter. The University has a number of family-friendly policies and initiatives, including a returning-carer scheme, childcare costs support, university workplace nurseries, university holiday play-schemes, and a shared parental-leave policy. As part of its commitment to providing a family-friendly environment for researchers, the IoA ensures that should parental leave be needed during the course of employment, there is provision for extension to contract to compensate for the parental leave taken.

Click the URL link below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Applications must include a cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, list of publications, a statement of research experience and interests (three pages maximum), and contact information of three referees.

The application deadline is 23:59 GMT on Thursday, 15th December 2022. Referees will be requested to provide references by 22nd December 2022.

The appointment start date is negotiable between February and September 2023.

Please refer to further particulars for full instructions. For any queries regarding the application please contact hr(at)ast.cam.ac.uk.

Informal enquires may be addressed to Professor Nikku Madhusudhan (nmadhu(at)ast.cam.ac.uk).

Please quote reference LG33840 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.