Postdoctoral Position on Protoplanetary Disk Structure & Planet Formation

The Astrophysics Group of the University of Exeter wishes to recruit a highly qualified postdoctoral researcher to work on observational studies related to protoplanetary disk structure and planet formation. The post is available for 3 years beginning November 2017 (later start dates, up to mid-2018, will be considered).

The fellow will join an ambitious team of postdocs and PhD students and work with Prof. Stefan Kraus on studying time-variable, planet-induced structures in the inner-most AU of protoplanetary disks. We have access to data from ALMA, the VLT Interferometer, and the CHARA array and lead the CHARA/MIRCX instrumentation project that will enable efficient milliarcsecond-resolution imaging of young stellar objects. The fellow will be involved in the commissioning and scientific exploitation of this new instrument and work on interpreting the observations with the latest physical models. We are particularly interested in applicants with expertise in radiative transfer modelling of complex multi-wavelength data sets and/or in high-angular imaging techniques (e.g. ALMA, VLTI, adaptive optics). Prior experience with the technique of interferometry is not required, but would be an asset.

The position is funded by the European Research Council (ERC), with an annual salary in the range GBP 28,452 to 33,943. Applicants must possess a PhD in astrophysics or a related discipline.

Detailed enquiries regarding scientific aspects of the project can be made to Prof. Stefan Kraus ([email protected]).

Applications should arrive by September 3 and include a CV, publication list, a brief statement of research interests, and contact details for three referees. Please apply using the University of Exeter’s online application system (job reference number P58132): https://jobs.exeter.ac.uk