Research Expert in Exoplanet Modelling

The Institute of Astronomy (IoA) of the Department of Physics and Astronomy of KU Leuven and the Royal Observatory of Belgium (ROB) seek a highly motivated and skilled research expert in the field of exoplanet modelling. This recruitment is embedded in the research profile "STELLA: Study of Terrestrial Exoplanets’ (Prf2021022) within the FED-tWIN framework, the Programme of sustainable research cooperation between the Belgian federal scientific institutes and the universities. The position is a full-time position (50% at the IoA, 50% at the ROB with open-ended contracts). In particular, we are looking for an excellent recognised scientist who can bridge and strengthen the expertise domains at the IoA and the ROB in the field of numerical models simulating the evolution of exoplanetary atmospheres, surfaces, and interiors. The overall short-term objective for the FED-tWIN researcher is to advance our understanding of close-in rocky exoplanets by linking theoretical models for the planet interior and its evolution (expertise domain of the ROB) with exoplanet atmosphere models including complex chemistry (expertise of KU Leuven). The long-term ambition of this FED-tWIN research is to boost our knowledge of the conditions favorable for a planet to be habitable and for life to develop. These novel models simulating the evolution of the atmospheres, interiors and surfaces of planets over billions of years will be crucial for an optimal interpretation of the current and future exoplanet observations in terms of the highest possible accuracy. The Department of Physics and Astronomy of - KU Leuven, conducts research in various domains in modern physics in order to understand the fundamentals of physics. It contains several research units comprising activities in physical acoustics and thermal physics, biophysics, nuclear and radiation physics, semiconductor physics, solid state physics, theoretical physics and astronomy. In addition to the leading international research activities, mostly financed by national and international institutions for scientific research, a diverse range of assignments related to education and services are accomplished. The department belongs to the Science, Engineering and Technology Group, Faculty of Science, and currently counts about 350 staff members. Within this department, the Institute of Astronomy (IoA) is an internationally recognised centre of expertise in stellar and planetary astrophysics, currently counting about 90 scientists. Most of the science topics are related to the study of stellar and planet evolution, in a broad context. The IoA has an established expertise in (3D) atmospheric exoplanet models, including hydrodynamics, radiative transfer, and chemistry. For the latter aspect, the IoA is collaborating with (inter)national colleagues specialised in mathematics, quantum-chemistry and bio-engineering techniques. The IoA is one of the main partners of the large Marie-Curie ITN CHAMELEON network focussing on the modelling of planet-forming disks and exoplanet atmospheres. In addition, the IoA is actively contributing to the developing of space missions (such as the James Webb Space Telescope and the ARIEL Space Mission) and ground-based instruments (such as the MARVEL to be installed on the Flemish Mercator observatory in La Palma). For more information: see http://fys.kuleuven.be/ster/. The Royal Observatory of Belgium is one of the ten Belgian Federal Scientific Institutes and was founded in 1826. It nowadays consists of four operational directorates performing internationally recognised research in Reference Systems and Planetology, Seismology and Gravimetry, Astronomy and Astrophysics, and Solar Physics and Space Weather. It currently counts about 180 employees. Within the Planetology team, about 30 scientists investigate the interior structure, composition, evolution, dynamics, and atmosphere of terrestrial planets and moons. The team is heavily involved in several ESA and NASA solar system missions such as BepiColombo, ExoMars 2022, JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer), and InSight (Interior exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy, and Heat Transport), and leads several international research projects. Besides its main focus on Solar System planets and moons, the team also applies its expert knowledge on planetary interiors and evolution to exoplanets. For more information: see https://www.astro.oma.be/en/.

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