Exoplanets Postdoctoral research positions in Geneva
The exoplanet team of the University of Geneva has an opening for four postdoctoral researchers to work on detection and characterization of exoplanets through high-precision radial velocity measurements. Focusing on the low-mass range of exoplanets and using the high-precision spectrographs CORALIE, HARPS, HARPS-N, ESPRESSO, SPIROU, and NIRPS, our team is strongly involved in blind radial velocity surveys as well as in the follow-up of transiting candidates from NGTS, K2 and TESS photometric surveys. The selected applicants are expected to work on: the optimization of the data-reduction, calibration and RV-extraction from both visible and near-infrared high-resolution spectrographs; the mitigation of the stellar activity; the combination of RV data with photometric, astrometric and direct imaging measurements, including dynamical developments for the characterization of multi-planetary systems. They will be strongly involved in the science exploitation of large programs and guarantee observing time of aforementioned spectrographs and in the development of specific tools for the Data and Analysis Center for Exoplanets (DACE) for validation and combined analysis of exoplanets.
The Department of Astronomy of the University of Geneva offers a modern and vibrant work environment, with a wide range of activities including theory, numerical simulations, observations and instrumental developments in the domains of exoplanets, stellar physics, galactic dynamics, observational cosmology and high-energy astrophysics. Our exoplanet team is well-renowned and has strong involvement in exoplanets detection, the determination of the planet physical properties, the characterization of planet atmospheres, and the development of an associated world-class instrumentation. We are also co-leading the Swiss-wide National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) PlanetS, dedicated to the study of the origin, evolution, and characterization of planets inside and outside our Solar System, providing thus the applicants with opportunities to develop collaborations with members of PlanetS.
Applicants are expected to have experience in observation, data reduction and analysis, especially of high-precision radial velocities. The duration of the postdoc contract is of 2 years, with possible extension to a third year depending on available funds. Candidates should have less than 3 years after their PhD at start of the employment. The positions are funded by Swiss National Science Foundation with a gross salary around 80,000 CHF and are open for immediate start.
Interested candidates should contact Prof. S. Udry, Prof. F. Pepe and Prof. F. Bouchy, at the Astronomy Department of University of Geneva, and send (in a singe pdf file) a CV, a publication list, a motivation letter, a short research statement describing past achievements and future projects and arrange for up to two letters of recommendation to be sent before 15th March 2019.
Download/Website:
http://www.exoplanets.ch/
http://nccr-planets.ch/
Contact:
stephane.udry@unige.ch
francesco.pepe@unige.ch
francois.bouchy@unige.ch
