PhD fellow in Exoplanets

The Niels Bohr Institute, Faculty of Science at University of Copenhagen is offering a PhD scholarship in exoplanets. The PhD candidate will join the research group of Lars Buchhave at Centre for Star and Planet Formation and the Niels Bohr Institute. The group focuses on understanding and characterizing exoplanets with a particular emphasis on the abundant small planets through two key areas of research: 1) precise mass measurements of (often transiting) planets to understand their composition and structure and 2) observation and characterization of exoplanetary atmospheres to advance our insight into their diversity and composition.

Progress in these two areas will be enabled by two recent large allocations of observing time: 1) a 200-night RV follow-up program (2018-2020) to measure masses of TESS exoplanet candidates using the Nordic Optical Telescope in collaboration with the TESS mission and MIT as well as involvement in the next-generation EXPRES spectrograph being commissioned by Yale University at the DCT. Or 2) working with data from a recently allocated large HST program (498 orbits; the Panchromatic Comparative Exoplanetary Treasury Program) to conduct the first large-scale, simultaneous UVOIR comparative study of exoplanet atmospheres. Previous experience in the mentioned areas of research and programming skills will be seen as a plus for the application.

The position is available for a 3-year period. The start date is flexible but should commence around 1 August, 2017. Inquiries about the position can be made to Lars Buchhave ([email protected]). For the full announcement including instructions on how to apply, information about salary and benefits, please see the included link.