ERC MagmaWorlds Positions

MagmaWorlds – Tracing the chemical evolution of super-Earth exoplanets

 

​​​To tackle this ambitious goal we search for a postdoctoral researcher and a PhD student to join the Forming Worlds Lab. All positions are based at the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute and will form the core of the ERC MagmaWorlds project. As a successful applicant, you will develop numerical and theoretical simulation tools to model the geophysical and climate evolution of low-mass exoplanets over billions of years. MagmaWorlds aims to distinguish how volatile-rich and rocky super-Earths originate and evolve. This will not only shape our understanding of these distant worlds, but enable us to peak into the extreme thermodynamic conditions that shaped the birth of our home planet Earth.

 

The ultimate research goal of the Forming Worlds Lab is to identify the main driving factors behind the emergence and preservation of life-creating and -supporting environments, and how frequent such places are in our vast universe. As part of our team you will join a dynamic and ambitious environment, and will have the opportunity to collaborate with internationally leading scientists from the PRELIFE, Alien Earths, AEThER, LIFE, PLATO, and Ariel initiatives, NOVA, and the Dutch Origins Center.

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What profiles do we look for?

All scientific projects in the Forming Worlds Lab operate within the highly cross-disciplinary spectrum of planetary and exoplanetary sciences. We seek highly motivated and ambitious researchers and students that are intellectually curious and excited to work in interdisciplinary research projects at the interfaces of exoplanet astronomy, geophysics, geochemistry, and climate science.

 

For all positions excellent computer and programming skills are required. Familiarity with Linux/UNIX computer environments, version control software (git), high-performance computing, and one or more computer languages (Python/Julia/C/Fortran/Rust) are essential. Examples of our group's ongoing code developments can be found at github.com/FormingWorlds.

 

As part of the MagmaWorlds project you will contribute to the development of the open-source planetary evolution framework PROTEUS and apply it to interdisciplinary problems in exoplanetary science. We expect a high proficiency in English and good communication skills. We put a lot of emphasis on social and team cohesion in our group and expect successful candidates to positively contribute to this environment. Dutch language skills are welcome but not essential. English is the common language spoken at the Kapteyn Institute, in undergraduate courses, and in research.

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Postdoctoral researcher: key characteristics for selection​

• A completed PhD degree by the starting date. Previous research experience, scientific and technical skills, and publications are important criteria for selection.

• A background in simulation-based research with a focus on either (i) planetary or exoplanetary geophysics, or (ii) planetary or exoplanetary atmospheric science. Particular areas of interest for the MagmaWorlds project include, but are not limited to: exoplanet interior structure and evolution, material science at high pressure, tidal evolution of rocky and icy planetary bodies, and escape and chemistry of volatile and refractory atmospheric envelopes.

 

 

PhD student: key characteristics for selection​

• A background in geoscience, physics, astronomy, atmospheric science, or computational science. Further interdisciplinary training throughout the PhD program will familiarise you with the areas you have not been specialising in during your undergraduate studies.

• A completed MSc degree by the starting date. Previous research experience and skills are important criteria for selection. In rare special cases, candidates with only a BSc degree and extensive research experience (typically >9 months total of undergraduate research) may be considered.

• Eagerness to pursue simulation-based research within a highly collaborative environment.

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The Forming Worlds Lab is highly diverse in culture and gender. Our group and the University of Groningen strive to be a university in which students and staff are respected and feel at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identities. We believe that working on our core values of inclusion and equality are a joint responsibility and we are constructively working on creating a socially safe environment. Diversity among students and staff members enriches academic debate and contributes to the quality of our teaching and research. We therefore invite applicants from underrepresented groups in particular to apply. For more information, see also the Diversity and Inclusion Policy of the University of Groningen and the Code of Conduct of the Forming Worlds Lab. Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the NVP Recruitment Code and the European Commission's Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers.

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How to apply

Follow the instructions on https://www.rug.nl/research/kapteyn/vacatures/ to upload your application documents and contact information.

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Apply for the postdoc position:

https://www.rug.nl/research/kapteyn/vacatures/scientific-staff

Apply for the PhD position:

https://www.rug.nl/research/kapteyn/vacatures/phd-positions 

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Contact

Questions about the positions or application should be sent to tim.lichtenberg@rug.nl.​​