2 post-doctoral positions at ETH Zurich

The Star and Planet Formation Research Group at ETH Zurich (http://www.schmid-group.ethz.ch) invites applications for 2 new post-doctoral positions to work with Dr. Sascha P. Quanz on extra-solar planets (position 1) and Prof. Hans Martin Schmid on circumstellar disks (position 2). Research in our group covers several areas including the direct detection and characterization of extra-solar planets, the structure and evolution of circumstellar disks, and the formation of planets in those disks. We are also involved in the development of new instruments for the VLT (ERIS) and also for the ELT (METIS).

Position 1 will mainly be in support of currently ongoing large exoplanet imaging surveys at the VLT (and related follow-up observations). For position 2 we are primarily seeking an expert in (sub-)mm observations (e.g., with ALMA) to support a new initiative aiming at the combination of (spatially resolved) circumstellar disk data from various instruments (i.e., from the optical to the (sub-)mm).

Salary and duration of the appointment will be commensurate with experience. Starting salary begins at around CHF ~85,000, with an initial appointment of 2 + 1 years (year 3 depending on performance and available funding). Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work with students at all levels. Switzerland is a member of ESO and ESA, and the successful applicants will have full access to their facilities. Our Institute for Particle and Astrophysics maintains access to a range of high performance computing options, including stand-alone machines, large clusters, and the resources of the Swiss National Supercomputing Center (CSCS). Interested applicants will also be welcome to explore research opportunities in our Astronomical Instrumentation Laboratory.
Both positions are embedded in the Swiss National Centre for Competence in Research (NCCR) “PlanetS” Project, an interdisciplinary and inter-institutional research program focussed on the origin, evolution, and characterization of planets inside and outside the Solar System. More information can be found here http://nccr-planets.ch.

Applications should consist of a cover letter (stating which position one is interested in), a CV and brief descriptions of past/proposed research (combined length not to exceed 6 pages). A separate publication list should be attached. Materials should be sent electronically in a single pdf file. This file, as well as three letters of reference (sent directly by the referees), should be sent to [email protected]. Review of applications will begin 1 December, 2017, and will continue until the position is filled. Any questions can also be addressed to the email address above.