Ph.D. student position in the field of exoplanets

Applications are invited for a Ph.D. position in the study of exoplanets with the exoplanet group at Chalmers University of Technology. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of associate professor Carina Persson and affiliated professor Malcolm Fridlund.

Information about the division and the research
The exoplanet group participates in several international collaborations and space missions such as CHEOPS, TESS, and the future PLATO mission. We combine transit light curves from space missions with follow-up observations from ground-based facilities to discover and characterise exoplanets. The objective is to address the enormous diversity among exoplanets, the demographics of exoplanets, and to begin true comparative planetology in order to improve the understanding of the formation and evolution of planetary systems. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to influence the details of the research project with the possibility to combine observations with theoretical modelling e.g. planet detection in the presence of stellar activity, exoplanet interior structures, dynamical modelling, and exoplanet atmospheres. The Ph.D. student is expected to lead her/his work in close collaboration with the other members of the group and with international teams.

This Ph.D. position will be hosted within the Astronomy and Plasma Physics Division of the Department of Space, Earth and Environment. The research topics of the division cover a broad range of topics which in addition to exoplanets include formation and evolution of galaxies, the birth and death of stars, astrochemistry, and the solar system. The research spans both theoretical and computational studies through observational programs to instrumentation development. The group has close connections to the Onsala Space Observatory, which is the Swedish national facility for Radio Astronomy. Physically, we are situated both at the observatory in Onsala south of Gothenburg and at the main Johanneberg campus in Gothenburg. Related research at the department is the division of Microwave and Optical Remote Sensing performing atmospheric measurements and studies of the Earth's environment, and the Space Geodesy and Geodynamics group.

Major responsibilities
Your major responsibilities as a Ph.D. student is to pursue your own doctoral studies to become an independent researcher. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment.

Starting date is negotiable but is expected to be early-mid 2021. The starting salary for Ph.D. positions is  approximately 31,000 SEK per month. Expected duration is 4 years which include courses in total of 1 year. The position may also include teaching at Chalmers or performing other duties corresponding up to 20 per cent of working hours, depending on availability, thereby increasing the length of the position to a maximum of five years.

Qualifications
We are looking for a self-motivated and highly qualified candidate with a keen interest in astrophysics, especially in exoplanets and their host stars. To qualify as a Ph.D. student, you must have an MSc degree or equivalent in astrophysics, geophysics, scientific computing or physics. Experience with exoplanets, stars, observational techniques (spectroscopy/photometry), computing skills including programming in python, C, matlab, IDL or one of the common languages in astronomy research, machine learning techniques, and first-hand experience in scientific writing and communication is an asset. Good command of the English language and writing skills are required.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20200468 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Three letters of reference (pdf format preferred) to be sent directly by the referees to carina.persson@chalmers.se by the application deadline. Please inform and eventually remind your referees to submit the letters.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 18 December, 2020

For questions, please contact:
Associate professor Carina Persson, Astronomy & Plasma Physics
E-mail: carina.persson@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 31 772 5537, +46 768 669 604

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***