Dr. Tim Lichtenberg (he/him)
Tim works as Assistant Professor at the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute of the University of Groningen, where he leads the growing Forming Worlds team. He investigates the growth and evolution of rocky planets in order to embed the birth and life cycle of terrestrial worlds in an integrated picture. Ultimately, he wants to understand the planetary environmental conditions that led to the origin of life on the early Earth, and how widespread such places are in our galaxy.
The research of the Forming Worlds team is embedded within the Alien Earths, AEThER, and Large Interferometer for Exoplanets research initiatives, and funded by the Branco Weiss Foundation, the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, and the Faculty of Science and Engineering of the University of Groningen.
Research Positions
10/2022 –
10/2019 – 09/2022
08/2018 – 09/2019
Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen
Kapteyn Astronomical Institute Tenure-track Assistant Professor
Branco Weiss Foundation Research Fellow
Project: Molten Exoplanets as a Window into the Earliest Earth
Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics, University of Oxford
Simons Collaboration on the Origins of Life Postdoctoral Fellow
Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics, University of Oxford
Swiss National Science Foundation Early Postdoc.Mobility Fellow
Project: Linking interior-atmosphere regimes to planetary accretion
Education
09/2014 – 07/2018
09/2012 – 08/2014
08/2012 – 01/2013
09/2009 – 08/2012
Department of Earth Sciences, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Dr.sc. ETH Zurich / planetary physics, star and planet formation
Thesis: Thermal Evolution of Forming Planets: Isotope Enrichment, Differentiation & Volatile Retention
Department of Physics, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany
Peking University (北京大学), Beijing, P. R. China
Semester abroad, chinese language and culture
Department of Physics, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany
B.Sc. Physics / specialisation in astronomy
Thesis: Constraining Exoplanet Characteristics with Asteroseismology
Teaching & Mentoring
Mentored students
BSc thesis "Compositional degeneracies of underdense super-Earths", Jessica Helmerhorst, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, main supervisor, 2024–
BSc thesis "Redox tracers in rock vapour atmospheres of lava exoplanets", Björn Koops Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, main supervisor, 2024–
BSc thesis "Redox-variant runaway greenhouse limits", Iris Boer, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, main supervisor, 2024–
BSc Honours College research project "Characterizing exoplanet surface composition with LIFE", Flavia Pascal, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, main supervisor, 2023–
MSc thesis project "Magma oceanography of sub-Earth GJ 367 b", Lotte Bartels, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, main supervisor, 2023–
Undergraduate research project "Finding terrestrial protoplanets in the galactic neighbourhood", Lorenzo Cesario, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, main supervisor, 2023–
PhD thesis "Evolution of rocky exoplanet atmospheres", Emma Postolec, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, main supervisor, 2023–
PhD thesis "Evolution of rocky exoplanet interiors", Mariana V. Sastre, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, main supervisor, 2023–
DPhil research project "Reduced atmospheric chemistry on rocky exoplanets", Harrison Nicholls, Oxford Atmospheric Physics, co-supervisor, 2023–
PhD research project "Fluid flow in aqueous planetesimals", Beat Hubmann, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, main supervisor, 2023–2024
BSc thesis "Distinguishing surface features on atmosphere-less exoplanets", Lucas Priolet, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, main supervisor, 2023
BSc thesis "The prevalence of steam in magma ocean atmospheres", Boyd van der Plaat, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, main supervisor, 2023
BSc thesis "Detecting cooling protoplanets with direct imaging", Lorenzo Cesario, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, main supervisor, 2023
BSc thesis "Spectral signatures of volcanic exoplanet atmospheres", Marijn Smorenburg, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, main supervisor, 2023
MSc thesis "Planetesimal hydrology", Beat Hubmann, ETH Zurich Earth Sciences, co-supervisor, 2022
BSc semester project "Investigating the surface composition of airless, terrestrial exoplanets with LIFE", Gustav Pap, ETH Zurich Particle Physics & Astrophysics, co-supervisor, 2021
DPhil projects "Climate of condensable-rich exoplanet atmospheres", Robert J. Graham, Oxford Atmospheric Physics, co-supervisor, 2020–22
DPhil project "Beyond runaway: initiation of the post-runaway greenhouse state on rocky exoplanets", Ryan Boukrouche, Oxford Atmospheric Physics, co-supervisor, 2020–22
MSc semester project "Silicate melting and metal pooling in planetesimals", Madeleine Müller, ETH Zurich Earth Sciences, co-supervisor, 2020
Student mentor, University of Oxford, St Cross College, 16 graduate (MSc/DPhil) students from the natural sciences, 2019–22
BSc thesis "Percolative core formation in terrestrial planetesimals and protoplanets", Madeleine Müller, ETH Zurich Earth Sciences, co-supervisor, 2019
MSc thesis "Quantitative Predictions for the Observability of Protoplanetary Collisions", Irene Bonati, ETH Zurich Earth Sciences, co-supervisor, 2016–17
BSc semester project "2D Numerical Modeling of Pebble Accretion Influence on Planetesimal Evolution", Fabio Luchsinger, ETH Zurich Earth Sciences, co-supervisor, 2016
Courses
Exoplanets, MSc course, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen, main lecturer, 2023/24
Hands-on Numerical Astrophysics School for Planet Formation Sciences, summer school, German Science Foundation priority research programme 1992 "Exoplanet Diversity", Rauenberg, lecturer, 08/2023
Star and Planet Formation, MSc course, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen, co-lecturer, 2022/23
Life and Information, BSc seminar, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, guest lecturer, 11/2022
Origin and role of volatiles in the early solar system and planets, Block course for MSc and PhD students, University of Bayreuth, Bayerisches Geoinstitut, guest lecturer, 01/2020
Planetary Physics and Chemistry + Geophysics II, ETH Zurich Earth Sciences, substitute lecturer, 2017/18
Physics I+II for non-physicists, ETH Zurich Physics, Teaching Assistant, exercise/exam design, 2014–16
Scientific computing techniques, Göttingen University Physics, Teaching Assistant, 2013/14
Introduction to Astro- and Geophysics, Göttingen University Physics, Teaching Assistant, 2013
Basic physics lab course, Göttingen University Physics, Lab Assistant, 2012/14
Community Service
Refereeing & Committees
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Astronomical Journal, Astrophysical Journal, Icarus, Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia, Science Advances, Elements, Planetary Science Journal, Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, Nature Astronomy, Astrophysical Journal Letters, Nature Communications
US National Science Foundation (NSF), Cambridge University College Fellowships, Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), NASA Emerging Worlds program, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), NASA Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP), Belgian Research Foundation (FWO), European Research Council (ERC), Dutch Research Council (NWO), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
External Examination & Defence Committees
Keavin Moore, "Coupled Models of Water on Terrestrial Planets Orbiting M-Dwarfs", PhD thesis, advisor: Nicolas B. Cowan, McGill University, Tiohtià:ke/Montréal, Québec, CA, 12/2023
Roos H. Voorhoeve "Enhancing and expanding the applicability of ReverseRADEX for accurate astrophysical insights", BSc thesis, supervisor: Floris van der Tak, University of Groningen, Groningen, NL, 12/2023
Bayron Armando Portilla Revelo, "Closing the gap between theory and observations of planet-forming disks with radiative transfer models", PhD thesis, promoters: Inga Kamp, Ewine van Dishoeck, University of Groningen, Groningen, NL, 12/2023
Nynke Visser, "The influence of the ice-albedo feedback on the long term carbon cycle of Earth-like exoplanets", MSc thesis, supervisors: Inga Kamp, Mark Oosterloo, Dennis Höning, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, Groningen, NL, 08/2023
Raymon P. Ferdinand "Outgassing and Exoplanet Atmospheres: A study of the effects of outgassing on the temperature and composition of the secondary atmospheres of rocky exoplanets", BSc thesis, supervisors: Floris van der Tak, Michiel Min, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, Groningen, NL, 06/2023
Yapeng Zhang, "Isotopes and the characterization of extrasolar planets", PhD thesis, promoters: Ignas Snellen, Laura Kreidberg, Leiden Observatory, Leiden, NL, 06/2023
Mantas Zilinskas, "Lava Worlds: Characterising atmospheres of impossible nature", PhD thesis, promoters: Yamila Miguel, Ignas Snellen, Leiden Observatory, Leiden, NL, 05/2023
Academic Union Management
Meeting Organisation
Rocky Worlds Discussions, monthly virtual seminar series, Co-Host, main organiser, 10/2022–
LIFE Science Team meetings, monthly virtual team meeting, Co-Host, 03/2022–
Rocky Worlds IV, SOC, Groningen, main organiser, 01/2026
Rocky Worlds III, SOC, Zurich, 01/2024
Annual LIFE Science Team workshop, Co-Chair, 09/2023
Goldschmidt 2023, Unraveling planetary interiors with extraterrestrial samples and space data, Co-Convener, Lyon, 07/2023
Origins of Solar Systems (GRS) Gordon Research Seminar: Constraining the Origin and Evolution of Planetary Systems Through a Multidisciplinary Approach, Co-Chair, South Hadley, US, 06/2023
The (geo)chemistry of terrestrial planet formation, SOC, Groningen, NL, 03/2023
Rocky Worlds II, SOC/LOC, main organiser, Oxford, UK, 07/2022
PLATO Atmospheres Workshop, SOC, Berlin/virtual, 12/2021
LIFE Lorentz center workshop (cancelled due to COVID-19), SOC, Leiden, NL, 06/2021
AGU20: Accretion and differentiation of rocky planets: perspectives from geophysics, geochemistry, & astronomy, session co-convenor, San Francisco/virtual, 12/2020
LIFE workshop III, SOC, Zurich/virtual, 12/2020
ESO workshop: Threats from the surroundings, SOC, Munich/virtual, 11/2020
Exoplanets III, Moderator, Heidelberg/virtual, 07/2020
Mini-workshop: LIFE – Large Interferometer For Exoplanets, SOC, Zurich/virtual, 05/2020
3rd Oxford Meeting on Planets, LOC/SOC, Oxford, UK, 12/2019
Exoclimes V, LOC, Oxford, UK, 08/2019
2nd Oxford Meeting on Planets, LOC/SOC, Oxford, UK, 12/2018
Water during planet formation and evolution 2018, LOC/SOC, Zurich, CH, 02/2018
The Origins of Volatiles in Habitable Planets: The Solar System and Beyond, LOC, Ann Arbor, USA, 10/2017
NCCR PlanetS Workshop: The crucial role of water, LOC/SOC, Zurich, CH, 12/2016
Academic Associations
European Association of Geochemistry, 2021–
International Astronomical Union, 2021–
American Geophysical Union, 2020–
European Astronomical Society, 2019–
Royal Astronomical Society, 2019–
Europlanet Society, 2019–
European Geosciences Union, 2019–
German Astronomical Society, 2013–
German Physical Society, 2010–
Swiss Society for Astrophysics and Astronomy, 2015–24
Funding & Awards
Research & Workshop Grants
Open eScience Early Career Project PROTEUS, Netherlands eScience Center, PI, 12/2023
Workshop grant for Rocky Worlds Discussions, Meteoritical Society, PI, 02/2023
Faculty Research Grant, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, PI, 12/2022
Research Grant of the Branco Weiss Foundation, PI, 08/2022
A-rated ERC Starting Grant Proposal (reserve list), European Research Council, 06/2022
Workshop grant for Rocky Worlds II conference, Royal Astronomical Society, PI, 05/2021
Workshop grant for Rocky Worlds II conference, Meteoritical Society, PI, 03/2021
Research grant Geodynamic Regimes During Planetogenesis, Simons Foundation, PI, 12/2018
Bernoulli postdoctoral fellowship (not started), University of Oxford & University of Bern, 03/2018
Research grant Early Postdoc.Mobility Fellowship, Swiss National Science Foundation, 12/2017
Research grant Linking Interior-Atmosphere Regimes to Planetary Accretion, Swiss National Science Foundation, PI, 12/2017
Workshop grant for Water during planet formation and evolution, University of Zurich, Co-I, 04/2017
MERAC funding and travel award for project Volatile degassing from terrestrial planet precursors, Swiss Society for Astrophysics and Astronomy, PI, 09/2016
Honours
Planetary and Solar System Sciences Division Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award 2023, European Geosciences Union (EGU), 04/2023
Winton Award for Early Achievement in Geophysics 2022, Royal Astronomical Society, 01/2022
Doctoral Thesis Award 2019, German Astronomical Society, 09/2019
PhD Prize for Planetary Systems and Astrobiology 2018, International Astronomical Union, 06/2019
Non-stipendiary Junior Research Fellowship, St Cross College, University of Oxford, 06/2019
Horneck-Brack Presentation Award, 2nd prize, European Astrobiology Network Association, 09/2018
'Dr. Berliner – Dr. Ungewitter' prize for M.Sc. thesis, Göttingen University, 12/2014
M.Sc. diploma awarded 'with distinction', Göttingen University, 07/2014
Outreach
Media Interviews & Press Releases
Media interview on exoplanet biosignatures, Science News, 04/2024
Biographical interview with news outlet "Welt der Physik", part of thematic "Year of Science 2023" of the German Ministry for Science and Education, 04/2023
Panel member for Astrofísica UC Golden Webinars in Astrophysics: Lynnae Quick - The Role of Cryovolcanism in Creating Habitable Niches on Ocean Worlds in Our and Extrasolar Planetary Systems, 10/2021
Panel member for Astrofísica UC Golden Webinars in Astrophysics: Frances Westall - Biosignatures and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life: A Historical Overview from the Beginnings to the State of the Art, 10/2021
Press release and media communication for Lichtenberg et al. 2021a (Altmetric), 01/2021
Public talk "Wasser, Wüste oder Lava: Wie entstehen erdähnliche Planeten?" (German), virtual, Planetarium Göttingen, 11/2020
Letters to a Pre-Scientist Pen Pal, 2019-20
Press release and media communication for Lichtenberg et al. 2019b (Altmetric), 02/2019
ETH Zürich focusTerra special Exhibition "Expedition Solar System", 2018-19
ETH Zürich Scientifica 2015 - "Licht und Astronomie – Geschichte und Geheimnisse des Universums", 09/2015
Figures and media for german popular science article “Exotische Welten – Wie alte Sterne neue Planeten bilden” by Dominik Schleicher in “Sterne und Weltraum”, 08/2015
Astrobites reddit "Ask-Me-Anything", 06/2015
Visit of primary school in Zürich Seefeld with Q&A, 06/2015
Visualisation video of cosmological star formation simulation, 07/2014
Public talk "Ferne Welten im Computer: Planetenentstehung durch Gravitationsinstabilitäten" (German) , Institute for Astrophysics, University of Göttingen, 03/2014
Blog & video posts
Hidden water in magma ocean exoplanets, 10/2021
The turbulent hearts of shrouded super-Earths, 05/2021
Early carbon depletion of terrestrial worlds from the outside-in, 05/2021
Molten exoplanets as a window into the earliest Earth, 01/2021
Formation of the Solar System in two steps, 01/2021
Two emergent faces of rocky planetary systems, 02/2019
Planetesimal magmatism as a key to the chemical assembly of terrestrial planets, 01/2019
Spotting Protoplanet Collision Afterglows in the Stellar Neighbourhood, 11/2018
Impact splash chondrule formation during planetesimal recycling, 11/2017
Supernova ejecta pollute young planetary systems, 08/2016
On the variety of asteroid interiors, 04/2016
Astrobites – The astro-ph Reader's Digest
Astrobites is a daily astrophysical literature journal written by graduate students in astronomy around the world. Its goal is to present one interesting paper per day in a brief format that is accessible to undergraduate students in the physical sciences who are interested in active research. During my authoring activity for Astrobites from 2014–2016 I published a variety of blog articles. Until 2019 I remained active in the Astrobites community in various administrative and supportive roles.
Why open research practices are a clever move, 12/2016
Modest chaos in the early solar system, 11/2016
Driving planetary dynamos by giant impacts, 08/2016
Water worlds – self-arrests, thermostats and long-term climate stability, 07/2016
Massive circumstellar disks accrete faster than low-mass ones, 05/2016
Grand Fireworks from the Local Super-Bubble, 04/2016
Bridging the gap: asteroid collisions without quantum foam, 03/2016
The tempestuous adolescence of circumstellar disks, 02/2016
Sustainable Climates on Greenhouse Super-Earths?, 11/2015
Ripping Apart Asteroids to Account for Earth’s Strangeness, 11/2015
Dry Out Super-Earths via Giant Impacts, 10/2015
Triggered fragmentation in self-gravitating disks, 09/2015
Giant planets from far out there, 08/2015
Nature’s Starships Vol. II – A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Bloody Cold Beginnings, 07/2015
Nature’s Starships Vol. I – Ride in on Shooting Stars, 06/2015
Circumplanetary disks… soon!, 05/2015
Hot Shots: How to Trigger Star Formation in the Early Universe by Supernova Blast-Waves, 05/2015
Why is star formation so inefficient?, 04/2015
Are Extrasolar Worlds More Likely to Be Water-rich?, 03/2015
Sneak a peek on the cause of death of protoplanetary disks, 02/2015
Are Carbon-Rich Planets Just an Observational Bias?, 01/2015
Orderly disorder: Simulations of planet-disk dynamics with AREPO, 12/2014