Origin and properties of isolated planetary mass objects

Submission Information
Publish Date: 
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Archive Date: 
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Job Summary
Job Category: 
Pre-doctoral/Graduate Positions
Institution Classification/Type: 
Large Academic
Institution/Company: 
University of Bordeaux
Department Name: 
Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux
Street Line 1: 
Allée Geoffroy Saint Hilaire
City: 
Pessac
State/Province: 
Gironde
Zip/Postal: 
33600
Country: 
France
Announcement
Job Announcement Text: 

Isolated planetary mass objects, also called free-floating planets (FFP), are planetary-mass objects that do not orbit a star, but roam the galaxy isolated. How do such exotic objects form? Have they been ejected from the planetary system in which they were born, or did they form isolated in a similar way to stars from the collapse and contraction of a tiny molecular clump? How do the environment and initial conditions influence their formation?

In the context of the ERC COSMIC-DANCE project (project-dance.com), our team has identified hundreds of free-floating planets in the Taurus and Upper Scorpius star forming regions. The goal of this PhD project will be to study their disc and multiplicity properties using follow-up observations as well as archival data, and to look for the elusive young T-dwarfs.

  • Multiplicity properties: the first step will consist in writing and submitting proposals to major observatories (ESO, NOIRLab, ALMA, HST, JWST) to request high-spatial resolution images of the targets. Archival HST images will also be explored to search for serendipituous observations of the targets.
  • Disc properties: the first step will consist in reprocessing and analyzing archival Spitzer and WISE data using novel methods that enhance greatly the sensitivity. These data should allow the candidate to derive a frequency of discs around FFP, and prepare follow-up observations with ALMA and JWST to study the most interesting candidates.
  • Looking for young T-dwarfs: the coolest objects (T-dwarfs) are still to be found in Upper and Taurus. So far they escaped our analysis because our mehtodology was not sensitive to their peculiar colors and luminosities. These T-dwarfs are brighter and easier to find using Spitzer photometry, and the PhD candidate will take advantage of the re-processed Spitzer data combined to the near-IR photomety and astrometry to look for T-dwarfs in Upper Sco and Taurus.

LAB offers very stimulating research environments with staff working in various areas of astrophysics, instrumentation, data science and image processing. The candidate will interact with the AMOR and ECLIPSE teams at LAB, benefiting from their unique expertise in radio observations of young objects and dynamical evolution. He/She will also be interacting ad working with the close collaborators of the COSMIC-DANCE project in Spain, the US, Japan and Austria. The beautiful city of Bordeaux offers one of the highest quality of living and a vibrant cultural life.

Large volumes of high quality data are already at hand ensuring that the candidate can start immediately to work on the scientific analysis. Funding is fully secured for the 3 years of the PhD.

Requirements, skills, qualifications
Degree: Aspiring candidates must hold a degree equivalent to a European Master (5 years of Higher Education) in either physics, astrophysics, statistics, machine learning, or related fields.
Computing/Programming: Familiar with Linux/UNIX environment. Good experience with Python is mandatory.
Experience in machine learning techniques, statististics and observational astronomy are very important, although all excellent applicants will be considered
Language: Proficiency in English
Nationality: All nationalities are welcome to apply (subject to visa restrictions)

Creativeness, motivation, and independence are especially welcome.
The french doctoral studies require no more than three years.

Salary
The gross monthly stipend is approx. 2,300 euros.
Application
Applications should include a CV, a cover letter describing the applicant's background and motivation and a brief description of past research and future plans, as well as 2 or 3 letters of reference. These documents must be submitted by email as a single PDF file to Hervé Bouy ([email protected])

Included Benefits: 

French doctoral contracts are true employment contracts to the extent that they are enforceable by law and carry all of the benefits attached to such contracts under French law.
In particular, the contract carries full medical insurance and other social benefits (e.g. unemployment, pension, maternity leave,…) in addition to the stipend. Contracts are awarded and administered by the university of Bordeaux doctoral department

Application Deadline: 
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Selection Deadline: 
Friday, July 1, 2022
Current Status of Position: 
Accepting Applicants
Apply to Job
Attention To: 
Herve Bouy
Title: 
Prof.
Institution/Company: 
University of Bordeaux
Department Name: 
Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux
Street Line 1: 
Allée Geoffroy Saint Hilaire
Zip/Postal Code: 
33600
Country: 
France
Inquiries About Job
Attention To: 
Herve Bouy
Subject: 
PhD Application