PhD fellowship in Planet Formation at the GLOBE Institute

PhD fellowship in Planet Formation at the GLOBE Institute

We are offering a PhD fellowship in Planet Formation commencing 1 September 2022, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Our group and research

The research group of Michiel Lambrechts focuses on understanding the origin of our Solar System and the formation of exoplanetary systems. Using numerical simulations, we explore the evolution of protoplanetary discs and their dust component, planetesimal formation, the growth of the protoplanets through pebble accretion, and the attraction of early gaseous envelopes around planetary cores.

The group is part of the StarPlan section at the GLOBE Institute of the University of Copenhagen (https://globe.ku.dk/research/starplan/). The broader StarPlan environment at the University of Copenhagen includes also researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute. StarPlan focuses on understanding the formation of planets by studying meteorites (Martin Bizzarro, Jim Connelly, Martin Schiller, Elishevah van Kooten, Zhengbin Deng), by developing planet formation theory and simulations (Anders Johansen, Michiel Lambrechts), by star formation theory and simulations (Troels Haugbølle, Åke Nordlund), by observations of star formation and protoplanetary discs (Jes Jørgensen), by studying the origin and evolution of dust (Anja Andersen) and by studying exoplanets and their atmospheres (Uffe Graae Jørgensen). We are physically located at the Natural History Museum of Denmark in the center of Copenhagen.

Project description

With the new EXODOSS project (funded by an ERC starting grant, PI: Michiel Lambrechts), we aim to revisit how Earth-like planets form, around our sun and other stars. This topic will be explored in the context of our modern understanding of (1) disc-wind-driven protoplanetary disc evolution (2) the role of pebble accretion and planetary migration on embryos in N-body simulations and (3) the effect of young embedded envelopes on the growth and composition of protoplanets.

The prospective candidate will concentrate especially on the strong link between protoplanetary disc evolution and planet formation. The goal will be to incorporate state-of-the-art and observationally-supported theoretical models of protoplanetary disc evolution in planet formation models. This will require developing numerical models, as well as making use, and building on, state-of-the-art hydrodynamic and N-body simulation programs.

More information can be found in the advertisment at the Job Portal of the University of Copenhagen

Principal supervisor is Dr. Michiel Lambrechts (StarPlan, GLOBE)
email: [email protected]

Start 1 September 2022

Duration 3 years as a PhD student

Application procedure

Your application must be submitted electronically at the Job Portal of the University of Copenhagen

The application must include the following documents in PDF format:

1. Cover letter detailing your motivation and background for applying (max. one page)
2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Publication list (if possible)
4. Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.

Application deadline: 22 April 2022, 23.59pm CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the above-mentioned requirements.

University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.