Announcements about early careers Job opportunities can be provided by e-mail: mentors@europlanet-society.org .


Assistant Professor in stellar and/or exoplanetary astrophysics

The School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Birmingham (UoB) seeks to appoint an Assistant Professor in stellar and/or exoplanetary astrophysics to work as part of the Sun, Stars & Exoplanets Research Group. We welcome applications from theoreticaland observational researchers. The ideal candidate should conduct research that diversifies, but also complements, the current expertise of the Group. We welcome applications from all backgrounds to enrich the Group’s internal culture and to create an environment representative of the wider public.

The Group currently comprises Prof. Amaury Triaud (Head of Group), who focuses on exoplanet observations; Prof. Bill Chaplin (now Head of the School of Physics & Astronomy at Birmingham), an expert in asteroseismology and helioseismology; Dr Guy Davies, who applies machine learning and advanced statistical methods to asteroseismic and exoplanetary datasets; and Dr Annelies Mortier, an expert in solar/stellar activity and high-precision radial-velocity observations. In addition, the Group includes honorary Prof. Yvonne Elsworth (RAS gold medal in 2020), our BiSON Network Manager, one secretary, six postdoctoral researchers, and eight PhD students. Birmingham’s School of Physics & Astronomy also has another research group focussing on Gravitational Wave Astronomy and extragalactic astrophysics, which has nine academics. Both groups interact closely.

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute teaching in our undergraduate degree programmes, and contribute towards the School’s administrative actisvities.  Applicants are expected to demonstrate academic citizenship, develop and maintain mutually respectful and supportive working relationships with staff and students, and ensure their role impacts positively on others.

We expect interviews to be held in person in Birmingham on 18 & 19 October.

For further information about this post, please contact: Professor Amaury Triaud (A.Triaud@bham.ac.uk), Dr Guy Davies (G.R.Davies@bham.ac.uk) and Dr Annelies Mortier (A.Mortier@bham.ac.uk).

To submit an application and for a full description about this job, please visit:

https://edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_6001/job/2836/?utm_medium=jobshare


ESA Archival Research Visitor Programme

To increase the scientific return from its space science missions, the European Space Agency (ESA) welcomes applications from scientists interested in pursuing research projects based on data publicly available in the ESA Space Science Archives (https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc).

The ESA Archival Research Visitor Programme is open to scientists, at all career levels, affiliated with institutes in ESA Member States and Collaborating States. Early-career scientists (within 10 years of the PhD) are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications by PhD students are also welcome.

During their stay, visiting scientists will have access to archives and mission specialists for help with the retrieval, calibration, and analysis of archival data. In principle, all areas of space research covered by ESA science missions can be supported.

Residence lasts typically between one and three months, also distributed over multiple visits. Research projects can be carried out at ESAC (Madrid, Spain) and at ESTEC (Noordwijk, Netherlands). To offset the expenses incurred by visitors, ESA covers travel costs from and to the home institution and provides support for lodging expenses and meals.

Applications received before 1 November 2023 will be considered for visits in spring and summer 2024.

For further details, including areas of research and contact information, please refer to:

https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc/visitor-programme

or write to the programme coordinators at arvp@cosmos.esa.int


ESA Research Fellowships in Space Science

We are pleased to inform you about the opening of the call for the European Space Agency’s Research Fellowships in Space Science. The call is opening on 28 August 2023 with an application deadline on 18 September 2023. 

ESA’s postdoctoral Research Fellowship programme offers early-career scientists and engineers the possibility to carry out research in a variety of disciplines related to space science, space applications or space technology. Research Fellowships in Space Science specifically offer the opportunity to contribute to ESA’s endeavour to explore our Solar System and the Universe, and cover the fields of heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. 

The research fellowships offer unique insights into ESA’s environment and activities while conducting cutting-edge research. Mentoring and training opportunities are available, as are possibilities to engage with ESA science-related activities (e.g., archive/data science, operations, calibration, communication, citizen science). 

Within the Science Directorate (SCI), we welcome all independent proposals for innovative research associated with one or more of our missions. The Space Science fellowships can be taken up at any of the three sites ESAC (Spain), ESTEC (Netherlands) or STScI (USA) and we encourage applicants to choose sites that allow for best local collaborations. To learn more about the research conducted by the ESA scientists at different sites, please visit the Faculty Member Directory and the pages for the Faculty research groups. There is a separate page for research at the ESA Office at STScI (see also the research of non-ESA scientists at STScI). 

Duration

Appointments are for a maximum of three years. The initial project is for two years. An extension for a third year requires a dedicated proposal and is frequently granted.

Who can apply

Applicants should have recently completed or be close to completing their PhD in a technical or scientific discipline. Preference will be given to candidates with up to five years of relevant experience after their PhD.

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States. When short- listing for an interview, priority will first be given to candidates from under-represented Member States

More information on the Research Fellowship programme and on how to apply can be found at https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/space-science-faculty/opportunities/research-fellowships 

Deadline for applications is 18 September 2023. 


Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Solar System Geophysics & Atmospheres or Solid Earth Geology & Geophysics

The Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences at the California Institute of Technology is seeking outstanding applicants for a tenure-track faculty position. We seek individuals who will lead an innovative research program, are committed to teaching and mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students and of postdoctoral fellows, and who display interest in enhancing the diversity of the Institute. We invite applicants in the areas of Solar System Geophysics & Atmospheres and Solid Earth Geology & Geophysics.

The term of the initial appointment at the assistant professor level is four years and is contingent upon completion of a Ph.D. degree. Reappointment beyond the initial term is contingent upon successful review conducted prior to the commencement of the fourth year. Exceptionally well-qualified candidates may also be considered at the tenured professor level. Initial review of applications will begin on October 1, 2023, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. see here: https://applications.caltech.edu/jobs/solarsolid

For any questions that arise about the application process, please contact us at gps-faculty-search@caltech.edu.


The University of Canterbury has an early career post-doc available in astronomy, astrophysics, and Instrumentation

https://jobregister.aas.org/ad/36e6f4af Deadline 15 July.

The School of Physical and Chemical Sciences (SPCS) welcomes applications for the inaugural Elaine P. Snowden Fellowship at the University of Canterbury (UC), New Zealand. The three-year research fellowship is open to any area of astronomy and astrophysics. Applicants should be nearing submission or within 4 years of their PhD.

UC SPCS has a dynamic research community in New Zealand’s second-largest city. Our research strengths include astroparticle & high-energy physics; black holes & cosmology; dark energy & dark matter; exoplanets & planetary systems; galactic archaeology; microlensing; Solar System small bodies; stellar systems & populations; supernovae & transients; variable & pulsating stars. We operate the UC Mt John Observatory with 4 telescopes: a 1-m with a high-res fibre-fed echelle spectrograph, a 1.8-m with 2.2 sq. deg. imager & two 0.6-m. Applicants with interests in instrumentation or in Indigenous astronomy are also welcome.

Salary NZ $85k, 4 wks/yr leave, parental leave available, $15k/yr independent research fund, airfare to NZ. The nominal start date is 1 November 2023; flexibility is possible.

To apply please identify a faculty mentor in UC SPCS, and discuss your proposed research program with them. Only then submit a CV, 2-page research statement linking plans to this post, cover letter with contacts for three referees, and mentor’s statement of support to by 15 July, 2023.


6-year postdoctoral position in the field of planetary habitability available at Freie Universität Berlin

The application deadline is 10.07.2023.

Research Assistant (Postdoc) (m/f/d) full-time job limited to 6 years Payment level: 13 TV-L FU Reference code: NO-HA-2023-B

https://www.fu-berlin.de/universitaet/beruf-karriere/jobs/english/GW-NO-HA-2023-B_E.html

Application deadline: 10.07.2023 The planetary geodynamics group led by Prof. Dr. Lena Noack uses diverse computational models to characterize planetary processes that impact the long-term evolution of the planetary interior coupled to the surface and atmosphere of rocky planets, and therefore also their potential habitability, within and beyond the solar system. The planned position is offered at the Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Geological Sciences, in Berlin, Germany. Job description: We are seeking applicants for a research assistant position for post-doctoral studies in the workgroup of Prof. Dr. Lena Noack.
The position allows to conduct research in an independent project that relates to the spectrum of topics studied in the working group, with a focus on planetary habitability. Especially of interest would be an interdisciplinary approach, linking the project to astronomy, mineralogy/geochemistry, biology, physics, or social sciences.
The tasks of the position include teaching duties of 2 lecture hours per week during each semester, which can be conducted within the MSc Degree Program Planetary Sciences and Space Exploration. In addition, the researcher will need to supervise BSc or MSc theses and apply for third-party funding, especially within collaborative research networks.
The activity serves its own scientific qualification.
Requirements: MCS and Master’s degree and Completed doctoral degree, for example in Physics, Mathematics, or Geosciences, by the time of employment.
Desirable:• Excellent academic record and doctorate/PhD thesis• Good programming skills (ideally in Python and Fortran)• Experience in geophysical or geodynamical modelling• Very good English language skills• Ability to work independently as well as in a team• Interest in supervising students• Experience in teaching Further information: Review of applications will start after the application deadline until the position is filled. The position is now available and needs to be filled until latest September 2023.
Applications should include a CV incl. a publication list, a 2-page research outline for the next 6 years, a link to the doctoral thesis as a PDF, degree certificates (MSc/diploma and doctoral degree), as well as names, telephone numbers and email addresses of two references.
Applications should be sent by e-mail, together with significant documents, indicating the reference code, in PDF format (preferably as one document) to Mrs Prof. Dr. Lena Noack: lena.noack@fu-berlin.de.

For further information, please contact me (Lena.Noack@fu-berlin.de/ +493083863694).


Data analysis and laboratory tests for the characterization of the ion sensors of the BepiColombo/SERENA experiment 

The SERENA experiment includes four different sensors (MIPA and PICAM ion sensors, ELENA energetic neutral atom detector and STROFIO mass spectrometer) plus a System Control Unit (SCU). During the cruise phase that will last up to 2026, only the ion sensors can perform scientific operations. Important activities to be done in this phase are:

  • Development of tools for data analysis, and optimization of the scientific product definition pf the two SERENA ion sensors, PICAM and MIPA, for maximizing the scientific results during the whole mission (cruise and nominal phases); 
  • Laboratory activities for intercalibrations between the two ion sensors and check the System Control Unit performances. The spare and demonstration models available on ground, will be used for laboratory measurements to reproduce the flight observations. 

One year position with possible extension for other years. The annual gross salary of the grant is 32.000,00 Euros.

Deadline for application is June 23, 2023
The call can be found in the INAF/IAPS pagehttp://www.iaps.inaf.it/assegni-di-ricerca/
Refer to Anna.milillo@inaf.it for further information


Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellow for Women in STEMM (2 positions) at the University of Southern Queensland.

Improving career pathways for women in under-represented areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM)

Building on its strengths as Australia’s leading regional University, UniSQ’s vision is to be renowned for innovation and excellence in education, student experience, research and engagement. Guided by our core values of respect, integrity, and excellence, the University’s Strategic Plan 2021-2025 outlines our commitment to creating and sharing knowledge, transforming lives and solving the problems that matter to our world.

Women have historically been, and continue to be, significantly under-represented in the STEMM disciplines of Astrophysics, Mathematics, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Engineering, which may reflect past disadvantage. The University recognises the important role that equal opportunity measures set out by anti-discrimination law can make in creating opportunities for women, including in the disciplines mentioned above.

In support of our dedication to gender equity and the University’s Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Athena Swan Action Plan, we are seeking to appoint two Postdoctoral Research Fellows for Women in STEMM. These roles are only open to applicants who identify as women or non-binary.

Find out more at the full job advertisement.

Reference Number: 0162_05/23

Location: Toowoomba, Springfield or Ipswich Campus

Term: 2 x full-time fixed-term appointments for 3 years (37.5 hrs/week)

Salary: Total remuneration range $119,401 to $141,128 pa (includes salary range of $100,888 to $119,246, employer superannuation contributions up to 17% of salary and annual leave loading)

Closes: Sunday, 11 June 2023


Lecturer/Senior Lecturer position in Astrophysics at UNSW Sydney

Applications are invited for a full-time, convertible tenure-track (i.e. the position will be made ongoing subject to performance) Lecturer or Senior Lecturer Position in Astrophysics at UNSW Sydney. 

The Astrophysics Group within the School of Physics constitutes 7 faculty members working across a broad range of research areas including galaxy evolution, Galactic archaeology, exoplanets, Asteroseismology and Antarctic astronomy. These are our existing research areas, and we are happy to consider all candidates. Strong consideration will be given to candidates that either engage with an existing UNSW research strength, or which strategically complement existing research strengths.  UNSW astrophysicists are closely involved with Rubin Observatory’s upcoming Legacy Survey of Space and Time, the ESO 4MOST surveys, and the Giant Magellan Telescope, as well as smaller existing facilities such as the AAT, SONG, and TESS. 

The position will be balanced between research and teaching. The teaching supports the delivery of our undergraduate and Honours B.Sc. degrees.

More details and the application are available on the UNSW careers page:

https://external-careers.jobs.unsw.edu.au/cw/en/job/516492/senior-lecturer-astro-physics

Application deadline: 14 July 2023. References will be sought after long-listing candidates.


FCT – Individual Call to Scientific Employment Stimulus 2023 (6th Edition)

The Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA) welcomes pre-applications to the FCT

The Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) has issued a call for research contracts, in the context of the Stimulus to Scientific Employment which will be open from 4th April until 3rd May 2023, 17:00 (Portuguese time). The positions are for up to 6 years. There are 3 categories, depending on the profile of the candidate:

–    Junior Researcher (gross monthly income 2.206,05€): PhD holders for 5 years or less, counted as of the closing date of the application submission period, with reduced post-doctoral research experience in the scientific area to which they are applying.

–    Assistant/Auxiliary Researcher (gross monthly income 3.294,81€): PhD holders for more than 5 and less than 12 years, inclusive, counted as of the closing date of the application submission period, with a relevant curriculum in the scientific area to which they are applying.

–    Principal Researcher (gross monthly income 3.717,23€): PhD holders for more than 12 years, counted as of the closing date of the application submission period, with a relevant curriculum vitae in the scientific area to which they are applying, demonstrating some scientific independence in the last 3 years.
The selection is done by FCT. Each candidate will have to select and have the support from a host institution in Portugal.

The Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA) welcomes pre-applications with the following deadlines, depending on the IA node:

–    Lisbon node: until the 24th of March 2023

–    Porto node: until the 21st of April 2023

–    Coimbra node: until 21st of April 2023
The institute cannot guarantee the required scientific and administrative support for any pre-applications received after these dates. 

Despite the extended deadline applied to the Porto and Coimbra IA nodes, candidates are strongly advised to submit their pre-applications as early as possible, so as to have enough time to later prepare the application to FCT, in case their pre-application is approved by IA.

IA is the reference institution for this area in Portugal, integrating researchers from the University of Porto, the University of Lisbon and University of Coimbra, and is responsible for a major fraction of the national productivity in international ISI journals in this area. The research and development effort at the IA includes most of the topics at the forefront of research in Astrophysics and Space Sciences, complemented by work on instrumentation and systems with potential use in Astronomy and Astrophysics.

IA activities are structured around six Groups with respective group leaders:

1.    Towards the detection and characterization of other Earths – Nuno Santos

2.    Towards a comprehensive study of stars – Tiago Campante

3.    The assembly history of galaxies resolved in space and time – Polychronis Papaderos

4.    Unveiling the dynamics of the Universe – Tiago Barreiro

5.    Astronomical Instrumentation and Systems – Alexandre Cabral

6.    Science Communication(*) – Filipe Pires & João Retrê

For more see here: http://www.iastro.pt/ia/jobDetails.html?ID=217


ESO Studentship Programme 2023/2024

Closing date: 2023-04-30
Contact: Human Resources

The research studentship programme of the European Southern Observatory provides an outstanding opportunity for PhD students to experience the exciting scientific environment at one of the world’s leading observatories for a period of up to two years.

ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe. Its approximately 110 staff astronomers, 40 Fellows and 40 PhD students conduct frontline research in fields ranging from exoplanets to cosmology, offering one of the most vibrant and stimulating scientific settings anywhere in the world.

ESO’s studentship positions are open to students enrolled in a PhD programme in astronomy or related scientific fields. Students accepted into the programme work on their doctoral project under the formal supervision of their home university supervisor, but they come to ESO to work and study under the co-supervision of an ESO staff astronomer, for a period of a minimum of 6 months and up to two years. Studentships may be hosted either at ESO’s headquarters in Garching (Germany) or at ESO’s offices in Santiago (Chile), where also positions are provided for students enrolled in Chilean universities.

Please visit https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/students/ for details of the employment conditions and benefits. If you are interested in enhancing your PhD experience through an extended stay at ESO, then please apply online at https://recruitment.eso.org/.

Closing date for applications is 30.04.2023. Review of the application documents, including the support letters, will begin immediately.


Postdoctoral Research Associate in experimental icy moons geochemistry at the Open University

This is an opportunity to build new understanding of the geochemistry of the ice shell on Jupiter’s moon Europa, using ultra-low-temperature experiments and cutting-edge cryo-analytical techniques.

You will use an experimental approach to explore the formation of salt-rich ices generated by dynamic processes such as brine-and-ice volcanism, building a comprehensive picture of their potential diversity and relationship to the subsurface ocean. You will combine cryogenic laboratory experiments with analytical tools to investigate composition and structure of ices delivered to Europa’s surface, informing observations by upcoming missions such as the Jupiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) and Europa Clipper. You will be welcomed into the Open University’s vibrant planetary science and astrobiology research communities, joining an interdisciplinary team investigating the potential for life beyond Earth.

Closing date for applications: 8th March

See here for more information and person specifications: https://www.open.ac.uk/about/employment/vacancies/post-doctoral-research-associate-planetary-geochemistry-20742

Contact Mark Fox-Powell (mark.fox-powell@open.ac.uk) to discuss the role and for informal enquiries


ESA Archival Research Visitor Programme

To increase the scientific return from its space science missions, the European Space Agency (ESA) welcomes applications from scientists interested in pursuing research projects based on data publicly available in the ESA Space Science Archives (https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc).

The ESA Archival Research Visitor Programme is open to scientists, at all career levels, affiliated with institutes in ESA Member States and Collaborating States. Early-career scientists (within 10 years of the PhD) are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications by PhD students are also welcome.

During their stay, visiting scientists will have access to archives and mission specialists for help with the retrieval, calibration, and analysis of archival data. In principle, all areas of space research covered by ESA science missions can be supported.

Residence lasts typically between one and three months, also distributed over multiple visits. Research projects can be carried out at ESAC (Madrid, Spain) and at ESTEC (Noordwijk, Netherlands). To offset the expenses incurred by visitors, ESA covers travel costs from and to the home institution and provides support for lodging expenses and meals.

Applications received before 1 May 2023 will be considered for visits in autumn 2023 and winter 2024.

For further details, including areas of research and contact information, please refer to: 

https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esdc/visitor-programme

or write to the programme coordinators at arvp@cosmos.esa.int


Postdoctoral position at LMD, Paris, on Uranus and Neptune atmospheric modeling

The Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique (LMD), located on Sorbonne Université (Paris, France), invites applications for a postdoctoral position to work on Uranus and Neptune atmospheric modeling.
This position is awarded for 18 months (plus a potential 6 month extension), starting ideally in spring 2023, with some flexibility. Applications received until 31 January, 2023 will receive full consideration. Applicants should send a CV (including publication list), a cover letter stating their research accomplishments, interests in the project and date of availability, and 1 to 3 contact information for references to sandrine.guerlet@lmd.ipsl.fr
See full description:
https://web.lmd.jussieu.fr/~sguerlet/Postdoc_LMD_SOUND.pdf


Previous announcements on Early Careers Job Opportunities