Postdoctoral research position: Mass of transiting extrasolar planets

The exoplanet team of Geneva University has an opening for a postdoctoral researcher to work on the mass characterization of transiting exoplanets through high-precision radial velocity measurements. Focusing on the low-mass range of exoplanets and using the high-precision spectrographs, our team is strongly involved in the follow-up of NGTS, K2 and TESS candidates. A special focus will be done on the rocky and sub-Neptune planets orbiting M dwarf using NIRPS, a new near-infrared high-resolution spectrograph to be installed on the ESO 3.6-m telescope in end 2019.

The selected applicant is requested to work on the radial velocity follow-up of small-sizes exoplanets with high-precision radial-velocity spectrographs. He/She will be strongly involved in the science validation and science exploitation of NIRPS, the optimization of radial velocity extraction for nIR spectrographs, the development of specific tools for the Data and Analysis Center for Exoplanets (DACE) for validation and combined analysis of transiting exoplanets, and to analyze and interpret the results in order to probe internal structure and composition of exoplanets.

Applicants are expected to have a strong experience in observation, data reduction and analysis of high-precision radial velocities. The length of the postdoc contract is of 2 years, with possible extension to a third year depending on available funds. Candidates should be less than 3 years after their PhD at the beginning of the position. This position is founded by Swiss National Science Foundation with a gross salary around 80,000 CHF a year. Interested candidates should send (in a singe pdf file) a CV, a publication list, a motivation letter, a short research statement describing past achievements and future projects, and up to two letters of recommendation.