SAC postdoctoral fellowship in the field of exoplanet and/or stellar astrophysics research

SAC postdoctoral fellowship in the field of exoplanet and/or stellar astrophysics research

The Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Stellar Astrophysics Centre (SAC) at Aarhus University invite applications for postdoctoral fellowships in the fields of extrasolar planets and/or stellar astrophysics.

SAC is a world leader in the fields of asteroseismology, stellar structure and evolution, planetary systems, and galactic archaeology. The centre plays a prominent role in the use of data from the NASA Kepler/K2 and TESS missions, the ground-based SONG network for asteroseismic investigations, and large-scale stellar surveys such as APOGEE and Gaia. The goal of the centre is to ensure that full use is made of these possibilities to perform coherent studies of exoplanetary systems, their host stars, structure and evolution of stars, and composite stellar populations in the context of Galaxy formation. SAC was recently extended and as part of this extension, we now have annual calls for 3 year SAC fellowships.

Areas of work for the successful applicant may include:
- Detection of planetary systems as well as detailed studies of exoplanet system architecture, and exoplanet atmospheres.
- Detailed studies of stellar structure and evolution, including convection, mixing processes, and rotation using asteroseismic data.
- Characterisation of stellar populations for studies of the formation and evolution of the Milky Way
- Instrumentation and data analysis, e.g. the SONG network for determining high-precision radial-velocities of stars and the Sun.

The SAC fellow is encouraged to pursue an independent research programme in connection with the research carried out by other members of SAC.

SAC has established direct collaborations with research groups from the University of Birmingham, Leiden Observatory, MIT, MPA, MPIA, NASA Ames Space Center, and the University of Sydney, among others. There is an extensive exchange  with our collaborators, with shorter and longer visits to, and by, them. The many visitors and the postdoc and PhD programme at SAC provide a vibrant working environment and we invite the successful applicant to be a part of this environment. SAC also has access to telescopes through the Danish membership of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT).

Candidates for the postdoctoral fellowship must have a PhD in astronomy or physics, or equivalent, by the date of their appointment. The starting date is expected to be in summer 2018, but the exact date is negotiable. The duration of the position is three years

Applicants must submit a cover letter, a CV, a list of publications, and a statement explaining their past and current research (maximum 3 pages) as well as a research proposal (maximum 3 pages).

Furthermore, applicants should arrange for three letters of recommendation to be send before the deadline to [email protected] or uploaded as part of the application.

Questions regarding this job offer are encouraged and should be directed to the centre leader of SAC, Jørgen Christensen-Dalsgaard [email protected]