Postdoc position: Evolution of super-Earths and sub-Neptunes

The newly established research group of Caroline Dorn at the Institute for Particle Physics and Astrophysics (ETH Zürich) invites applications for young scientists. The research group also belongs to the Center of Origin and Prevalence of Life led by Prof. Didier Queloz. 

The Postdoc project is funded for 2+1 years, with the renewal for the third year conditional on performance. The successful candidate can start earliest in autumn 2023 and no later than spring 2024.

With her SNSF Starting Grant, Caroline Dorn establishes her research group on exoplanets at ETH Zürich. Her innovative research in areas as diverse as planet interiors, origins of atmospheres, and planet formation demonstrates her intellectual mobility to collaborate across disciplines. Caroline Dorn is a leading expert in the characterization of exoplanet interiors. For the success of individual research projects, her group members are expected to collaborate with international experts as well as colleagues from ETH, the University of Zurich, and the NCCR PlanetS, depending on the projects.

This Postdoc project is highly interdisciplinary as it links planetary science, geodynamics, and observations of exoplanets. You will explore the evolution of Super-Earths and Sub-Neptunes with a new generation of interior models. The focus is the influence of deep magma oceans on the evolution of planet atmospheres and planetary radii. How do volatiles in magma oceans affect the cooling and chemical differentiation of planets? By combining and further developing existing models, you will investigate the evolution of volatile-rich magma oceans that exist on hot rocky super-Earths and deep in the interiors of sub-Neptunes. This will also allow you to link newly discovered young TESS sub-Neptunes to the generally old population of planets. This project will impact our understanding of planet diversity and is important for the interpretation of exoplanet populations and individual planets.

• We seek motivated researchers with a strong background in geosciences or physics or related fields, including, but not limited to, atmospheric sciences, planetary sciences, geodynamics, and geophysics.
• You must hold a PhD degree or equivalent by the starting date of the position.
• Previous research and publication experience and skills will be important criteria during the selection. Familiarity with MAC/Linux/UNIX computer environments, high-performance computing, and Fortran/Python/C computer languages is desirable but not required.

ETH Zurich is a family-friendly employer with excellent working conditions. You can look forward to an exciting working environment, cultural diversity and attractive offers and benefits.