L’Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher in exoplanet studies (F/H)
Type of recrutement : 3 year contract
Level : Postdoctoral.
Start date : 1er October 2024 or before.
Deadline : 19th January 2024
Geographical localisation : Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur – Laboratoire Lagrange- 96 Bd de l’Observatoire - CS 34229 - 06304 NICE CEDEX 4
Context
Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur is a French public Center for research in earth sciences and astronomy. With more than 450 persons working at four different locations (Nice Observatory, Université de Nice, Sophia Antipolis, Plateau de Calern), its role is to explore, understand and transfer knowledge about Earth sciences and astronomy, whether in astrophysics, geosciences, or related sciences such as mechanics, signal processing, or optics. OCA is composed of 3 research units (ARTEMIS, GEOAZUR, and LAGRANGE) and 1 support structure (GALILEE). This program will be developed in the Lagrange Laboratory.
The ANR EXOWINDS started on 1st of November 2023. It is a 4 year project funded by the French National Research Agency. It aims at interpreting a wide range of high-spectral resolution observations of hot exoplanet atmospheres
within a singular framework, with a special attention to 3D effects and the measurement of chemical abundances and dynamical quantities, such as wind speeds. It also aims at using current observations to prepare for the incoming
ground-breaking ELT observations.
The project is associated with 350h of awarded telescope time in which Vivien Parmentier is either PI or co-I. The programs span the MAROON-X, IGRINS, ESPRESSO, CRIRES+, Spirou, IRD instruments on Gemini North, Gemini South, VLT, VLT, CFHT and Subaru telescopes respectively and concern both the transit and thermal emission observations of hot exoplanets.
Job description
We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work on high-resolution spectroscopy of hot giant exoplanet atmospheres within the ANR-funded project EXOWINDS (PI: Vivien Parmentier). The project aims at analyzing and interpreting the high-spectral resolution observations of transiting exoplanets taken with the MAROON-X, IGRINS, ESPRESSO, CRIRES+ and IRD instruments and prepare for https://lagrange.oca.eu/fr/accueil-lagrange the future ELT/ANDES and METIS observations. The overarching goal of the project is to jointly interpret multi-instrument emission and transmission spectra of hot Jupiters at high-spectral resolution through a unified multi-dimensional framework. The candidate will work towards this goal by specializing in one or multiple of the following aspects: data analyses of high-spectral resolution observations of transiting exoplanets and preparation of ELT observations, atmospheric retrievals of exoplanet spectra, 3D modelling of exoplanet atmospheres. The EXOWINDS project has additional funding to hire a graduate student that will work in collaboration with the postdoc on a complementary topic.
The postdoctoral researcher will work in priority with Vivien Parmentier, and will also collaborate with the other local members of the EXOWINDS project: Gaël Chauvin (observations), Andrea Chiavassa (stellar spectra) and Mamadou N’Diaye (ELT instrumentation). The postdoctoral researcher will be part of the TOP (Theory and Observations in Planetology) team within the Lagrange Laboratory of the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur situated in Nice, France. The team is composed of 22 permanent researchers, spanning a range of topics including solar-system and exoplanet formation, internal structure and evolution of giant planets, direct imaging of exoplanets. We are committed to encouraging further growth from diverse groups, and we welcome applications from people of all abilities and currently under- represented groups. We currently have an underrepresentation from women, BAME, disabilities and LGBTQ communities. As such, we particularly welcome applicants from these groups.
Activities
The postdoctoral researcher will participate in the analyses and interpretation of the high-spectral resolution observations of hot giant exoplanets with MAROON-X and IGRINS instruments for which the PI has access to proprietary data. They will have access to the high-spectral resolution retrieval code CHIMERA, the 3D global circulation model SPARC/MITgcm code, including a large grid of 500 precomputed models, the 3D monte-carlo radiative transfer model gCMCRT code allowing to calculate the 3D spectra of an exoplanet atmosphere from the SPARC/MITgcm outputs.
The successful candidate will be expected to participate in the bi-annual call for proposals for ground-based observatories, both as PI and as co-I of the proposals written by team members. The project is funded for 3 years and comes with funding for computing and travels.
Competencies required
One or multiple of the following competencies are welcomed:
- Data analyses of high-spectral resolution observations of transiting exoplanets.
- Atmospheric retrievals of exoplanet spectra.
- 3D modelling of exoplanet atmospheres.
- Ability to write observational proposals, present at conferences and write scientific publications.
Salary and benefits
Included Benefits: Position is for three years. Net annual gross salary is set by national guidelines starting at 36024 € and it is commensurate with the level of experience. Included: National medical insurance, maternity/ paternity leaves, family supplement for children, participation in public transport fees, pension contributions. School is free in France for children above 3.
Apply
Application review will start by 19th of January 2024. Remote interviews will be organized in February. The start date is flexible, but should be no later than October 2024. Application must be sent by email to vivien.parmentier@oca.eu. The application should contain a detailed CV including a publication list, an approximately 2 page cover letter describing the interest for the position and the relevant skills for the activities that are described. Letters of recommendation (maximum 2) should be sent directly by the reference persons to vivien.parmentier@oca.eu.
Contact
vivien.parmentier@oca.eu
https://lagrange.oca.eu/fr/accueil-lagrange