Postdoctoral position in titan climate modelling
Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique à Paris (France)


The planetary science team of the Laboratoire de Meteorologie Dynamique (Institut Pierre Simon Laplace) based on the Jussieu Campus in the heart of Paris, France, is working on the development of Global Climate Models (GCM) able to simulate the climates of Mars, Venus and Titan.
Our GCM of Titan has been extensively used in its 2-dimensional restriction, with many successes. In particular, the super-rotation of the zonal winds was predicted before the arrival of the Cassini-Huygens mission, and the predicted wind field compare quite well with the observations. This is also true for the structure of the haze layer or the distribution of compounds in the stratosphere. It is currently under development in order to extend its capabilities.
For this post-doctoral position, the objective is to extend the GCM vertically into the mesosphere. Once the needed modifications are done, the GCM will allow detailed studies of the mesosphere. At these altitudes, a complex photochemistry occurs, and is interacting with both the circulation and the aerosol layer. The study will include the waves activity, exchanges processes between mesosphere and upper stratosphere, the ability of the model to reproduce Cassini observations of the composition and aerosols in the mesosphere, the impact on the composition and aerosol distribution in the upper stratosphere.

Skills: - PhD in atmospheric or planetary sciences, good knowledge in atmospheric physics, preferably experience in climate modelling with GCMs - good skills in computing are required (languages, unix environments)
This position will be available for a start in early 2009, for 18 months.

Applicants can send their letter of interest, curriculum vitae and contact information to : Sebastien Lebonnois sllmd@lmd.jussieu.fr



Postdoctoral position on the modeling of exoplanet atmospheres
Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux (France)


The Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux (CNRS, University of Bordeaux, France) is opening a postdoc position. The candidate will work under the supervision of Franck Selsis on the modeling of exoplanet atmospheres. This work will be part of the program E3ARTHS (Exoplanet & Early Earth Atmospheric Research: THeories & Simulations), funded by the European Research Council (ERC). The goal of this program is to develop a versatile modeling package including radiative transfer, photochemistry, 3D climate for the broad variety of conditions expected in terrestrial exoplanet atmospheres (in terms of surface pressure, atmospheric composition, stellar irradiation).

This postdoc will be dedicated to the radiative transfer modeling with the Phoenix code, in collaboration with Peter Hauschildt (Hamburg). Other modeling tools will be available. The purpose is to compute radiative fluxes in the UV to far-IR range self-consistently with the pressure-temperature vertical structure. This model will be used for photochemical and climate/habitability studies as well as for exoplanet spectral characterization.

Applicant must have a recent PhD in astrophysics or planetary science, with an experience in atmospheres, radiative transfer and computing.
The net salary is around 2200 €/month and includes social security/health insurance. The position will be offered for an initial period of 2 years, with possibility of extension. The position will start as soon as possible, and not after march 2009.

Applications including CV, a list of publications and a statement of research interest and at least 2 letters of recommendation must be sent by e-mail or posted mail to Frank Selsis selsis@obs.u-bordeaux1.fr
Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux - BP89 - F-33271 Floirac cedex, France



Postdoctoral position on the laboratory study of complex organics
of relevance to Titan at University of Arizona, Tucson (USA)


Two postdoctoral openings are announced in the laboratory of Prof. Mark A. Smith and Dr. Hiroshi Imanaka in the Chemistry and Planetary Sciences Departments at the University of Arizona beginning in early 2009.

The work involves the laboratory study of complex organic molecule production under conditions analogous to the environment of Saturn’s moon, Titan. Using electron beam and EUV-UV irradiation, radical and ion pathways to the production of gaseous organics and primary aerosols are investigated using low and ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry.  Of particular interest are the mechanisms of nitrogen fixation, condensate photochemical aging and hydrolytic evolution for the generation of CHNO prebiological compounds and structural resolution of complex aerosol mixtures.
This work is part of a new National Astrobiology Institute effort principally involving groups at University of Arizona, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Caltech as well as others http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/teams/can5/jpl-titan.

Suitable candidates must have a strong background in vacuum technology, planetary science or analytical/physical chemistry with preferential experience in gas phase organic reaction mechanisms and photochemistry, high resolution mass spectrometry, complex mixture chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance techniques and/or organic aerosol science.
We seek independent thinkers who wish to work in a highly diverse group of physicists, chemists and planetary scientists

Candidates should send a letter of application with CV to Dr. Mark A. Smith http://chem.arizona.edu/smith
Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
and arrange to have three letters of recommendation independently sent.



Postdoctoral position in space plasma physics
at the Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki (Finland)


Space Research Group at the Finnish Meteorological Institute seeks to fill a research position in kinetic space plasma physic simulations.

The candidate would be expected to participate in global kinetic modeling of the solar/stellar wind interaction with a planet/exoplanet using numerical quasi-neutral hybrid simulation. We seek a candidate who will take the leading role to develop and to apply the hybrid model to interpret ongoing exoplanet remote sensing observations (COROT).

The successful candidate would be expected to collaborate closely with Space Research Group in the research areas including (1) the quasi-neutral hybrid modeling of the solar wind interaction with Mercury, Venus, the Moon and Mars, and (2) using the model to interpret ongoing plasma and magnetic field measurements (MEX, VEX).

Previous experience with programming would be desirable. Familiarity with any of the following would be an advantage; C/C++, LINUX, particle-in-cell simulations, parallel computing, computer graphics, numerical algorithms.

The successful candidates are expected to collaborate with the Space Physics Group in the current reasearch areas. It is expected that all positions include tasks related to simulations and/or their results and observational analysis. Previous experience with numerical and/or observational space physics is an advantage. Familiarity with any of the following is an advantage: C/C++, LINUX, parallel computing, supercomputer environment, numerical algorithms.

For specifics about the position, contact Dr. Esa Kallio (+358-9-1929-4636, esa.kallio@fmi.fi).
Interested candidates should send his/her CV, publications list and a list of three references to esa.kallio@fmi.fi.
The position is available from 1 September 2008, for one year, with a second year contingent upon performance.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.



5 PhD and 3 Post-doc positions
Institute of Planetary Research of DLR, Germany


The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. – DLR) is Germany’s national research center for aeronautics and space and Germany’s space agency. Its extensive research and development work are in Aeronautics, Space,Transportation and Energy. Approximately 5,600 people are employed at thirteen locations in Germany.

We invite applications for 5 PhD and 3 Post-doc positions at the Institute of Planetary Research of DLR (German Aerospace Center) Berlin, Germany.
The position will be funded by the Helmholtz-Society through the Research Alliance “Planetary Evolution and Life”.
The Alliance is led and managed by the DLR Institute of Planetary Research.

The projects are part of a Research Alliance with scientists from various fields aiming to gain a better
understanding of the evolution of habitability of terrestrial planets. Post-doc and PhD students
will profit from an extensive training programme including soft skills.


For further details, please read DLR_18.03.2008.pdf



Applicants should send a statement of research interest, a curriculum vitae with a list of publications, names of three referees and the relevant certifications
Contact : Prof. Dr. Tilman Spohn e-mail tilman.spohn@dlr.de