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SalaryThe above full-time post, funded by the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), is available from 1st April 2024 for up to three years in the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy. Starting dates later in 2024 are possible.
The post
The Faculty is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate or PostdoctoralResearch Fellow in Astrophysics to conduct a research programme at the forefront of the exoplanetary atmosphere modelling alongside Dr. Eric Hébrard, Prof. Nathan Mayne, and other members of the Exeter Exoplanet Theory Group (EETG).
The successful applicant will use numerical simulations performed with a state-of-the-art 3D modelling framework, the Met Office Unified Model (UM), to provide detailed spectroscopic spatial maps of the chemical, thermal and dynamic composition of warm, hot, and/or ultra-hot gas giant exoplanets. The broad goal is to understand how the interplay of a diversity of atmospheric processes shape the spatial distribution of the chemical composition - and its corresponding synthetic observables – on these exoplanets. The results of these simulations will be used to interpret the latest observations from space and ground-based international facilities in which the EETG is involved, including the analysis of a phase-curve measurement of unprecedented accuracy obtained for WASP-121b, one of the most studied Ultra-Hot Jupiters (UHJs), with the JWST NIRSpec instrument (GO-1729, PI: Mikal-Evans). In particular, the comparison between the numerical simulations and the observations are expected to be greatly improved with the development of a more detailed model framework including key atmospheric processes, such as the impacts of clouds, additional sources of opacity (hydrogen anion H-, metals/metal oxides and any associated ions), heat redistribution from the H2-H thermal dissociation/recombination, photochemistry, etc. There will also be opportunity to engage in the longer term with the next-generation climate model of the Met Office, LFRic.
About you
Applicants will possess a relevant PhD (or nearing completion for Associate) in Astrophysics, Physics, or a related field of study.
The successful applicant will likely be a recognised authority in the modelling of exoplanetary atmospheres and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. Ability to develop a large, rapidly evolving codebase through a shared, multi-contributor, development environment will be essential, alongside a substantial experience in running on supercomputers and visualising/interpreting results from complex hydrodynamical/climate models. General knowledge of the physics and chemistry of planetary atmospheres is also essential, with a special emphasis on the interactions of dynamics, radiative transfer and chemistry. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required.
Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification by clicking on the attachment via the ‘Apply’ button above.
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The University of Exeter
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Further Information
For further information please contact Dr. Eric Hébrard, e-mail e.hebrard@exeter.ac.uk.
