Permanent Science staff Position in exoplanetary science at the Department of Astrophysics, CEA Paris-Saclay, France

The Department of Astrophysics (DAp-AIM) at CEA Paris-Saclay, a government research centre located 25km South of Paris, invites applications for a permanent staff position in exoplanetary science. We are especially interested in candidates whose research connects well with the characterization of exoplanet atmospheres to be conducted with the JWST and the ARIEL space missions. The selected candidate is expected to take a leading role in the scientific exploitation of the JWST to be launched in 2021 and in the scientific preparation and then exploitation of the ARIEL mission to be launched in 2028.

DAp-AIM is a world-class astrophysics department covering many areas of instrumental, observational, theoretical and numerical astrophysics. DAp-AIM gathers about 200 faculty and staff members, including postdoctoral fellows, and PhD students. It offers a lively and very active research environment at the highest international standards. DAp-AIM plays a key role in instrumentation, ground segment and scientific exploitation of space missions from cosmology with the Euclid mission to the hot and energetic Universe with the Athena mission. Of particular relevance here is the strong involvement of DAp-AIM in the JWST MIRI instrument both in terms of hardware and in terms of scientific exploitation (coordinating the exoplanets program to be conducted in the framework of the Guaranteed Time Observations of MIRI European consortium) and in the AIRS instrument of the ARIEL mission. The successful applicant will join a research group of about 20 people conducting frontier research on the Sun, the stars, the exoplanets and the interactions between the planets and their host star by mean of advanced joint analysis of observations, theory and numerical simulations. 

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities : Ph.D in Astronomy, Physics or related discipline is required, as well as several years of postdoctoral work in the field of exoplanets (observations, data reduction, data analysis and interpretation using models of exoplanet atmospheres). An outstanding publication record in peer-reviewed journals is required. Ability to work in international collaborations is needed.

To apply : For full consideration, complete applications (including letters) must be submitted by May 26th, 2020 by email to [email protected]. Applications should include a cover letter, a curriculum vita (including the list of publications), a statement of past and future research, as well as three letters of reference to be provided separately at the same address by the same date. The position has an expected start date in the fall of 2020.

Salary : The salary for the permanent position depends on past work experience.