3-Year PlanetS Postdoc in Exoplanet Astronomy (Demory-Heng; observations)

The research groups of Prof. Brice-Olivier Demory and Prof. Kevin Heng at the University of Bern, Switzerland, seek qualified candidates for a Postdoctoral research position to conduct a competitive research programme on observational studies of exoplanet atmospheres. The position is funded by the PlanetS National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR), which is a Swiss-wide network that unifies planetary and exoplanetary science within Switzerland (http://nccr-planets.ch).

The successful applicant will hold a PhD in astrophysics with previous expertise in exoplanet observations. The Postdoctoral researcher will be expected to contribute to the atmospheric characterisation of exoplanets using space- (including CHEOPS, TESS, HST & Spitzer) and ground-based facilities (including SAINT-EX & ESO VLT). A high-degree of interaction with the members of the Centre for Space and Habitability (CSH; http://csh.unibe.ch) is also expected, notably with the research groups focusing on atmosphere modelling and planetary formation.

The Postdoctoral researcher will benefit from a research setting intertwining observations (Demory group) and theory (Heng group).  Expertise within the Demory group includes space- and ground-based photometry, exoplanet spectroscopy, planetary dynamics and astronomical instrumentation. Expertise within the Heng group includes climate dynamics (Deitrick, Grimm), radiative transfer (Kitzmann, Malik), atmospheric chemistry (Tsai, Kitzmann), atomic/molecular opacity calculations (Grimm, Kitzmann, Hoeijmakers), high-resolution spectroscopy (Hoeijmakers) and inversion/retrieval techniques (Kitzmann, Fisher, Oreshenko, Hoeijmakers). There is ample access to high-performance computing facilities, if necessary.

This PlanetS postdoc position is for 3 years at the University of Bern.  There will be a standard first year of probation.  The annual salary is between 90,000 and 97,000 CHF, depending upon experience (years after Ph.D) and is set by a predetermined matrix from the University and Canton of Bern.  Child allowance and maternity/paternity leave are offered.  Additionally, there is an annual budget of 5000 CHF for travel and ample funds for purchasing computers.  The start date is expected to be mid- to late 2019 and is negotiable.

Each prospective candidate will submit a research proposal with a maximum length of 5 pages.  The candidate will use a maximum of 3 pages to explain her/his existing research expertise and interests performed either during the Ph.D or previous postdoctoral position(s). Additional application materials include a 2-page CV, a list of peer-reviewed publications (no page limit) and a cover letter (1 page) listing the names of 3 referees/references. 

The entire application should be submitted as a SINGLE PDF FILE (minus the letters of recommendation) to CSH secretary Danielle Zemp (danielle.zemp ‘at’ csh.unibe.ch) by the application deadline of 31st October 2018.  Please label your main PDF file as “X.pdf” where “X” is your last name (all letters in lower capitals).  Applications sent as multiple files will not be processed.  PLEASE STATE "Demory-Heng PlanetS Postdoc Application [yourlastname]" AS THE TITLE OF YOUR EMAIL.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that three letters of recommendation are sent directly and separately to CSH Secretary Danielle Zemp by the letter writers themselves (and NOT the candidate).