PhD positions in the CHAMELEON ITN: Virtual Laboratories for Exoplanets and Planet-Forming Disks

We invite applicants to join the European Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN) entitled "CHAMELEON" for two PhD positions in modelling the chemistry and grain charges in planet-forming disks. Our disk models are based on chemical rate networks that are to be expanded to include the relevant processes in the warm inner disk (ESR 8) and the size-dependent statistical charging of grains that may cause lightning in disks (ESR 7). Details about the individual projects can be found here: http://chameleon.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/recruitment/.

This European ITN will hire 15 PhD students altogether and combines the expertise from the Universities of St Andrews, Antwerp, Copenhagen, Groningen, Leuven and Edinburgh, the Netherlands Institute for Space Research and the Max-Planck Institute in Heidelberg to cover all physical, chemical, radiative and numerical aspects for modelling planetary atmospheres and planet-forming disks, including data analysis, machine learning and interpretation. Virtual laboratories play an essential role in simulating yet unexplored physico-chemical environments of the diverse exoplanet population known so far, and they are key find out whether our Solar System is unique and how life emerged.

We seek excellent students with a strong background in numerical modelling and astrochemistry. Successful candidates must hold a Masters degree or equivalent. Previous research experience on aspects of exoplanet atmospheres, planet-forming disks, analysis of astronomical spectra, and/or astro-chemistry and astro-biology, scientific coding and a track record of team work/mobility will be important criteria for the selection.