Postdoctoral Position in Planet Formation

The Department of Space and Climate Physics at University College London (UCL) seeks to appoint up to three motivated Research Fellows. The appointment for each position will be for three years to work in the research group led by Dr. Paola Pinilla, Associate Professor in the field of Planet Formation and Exoplanets. Part-time applications will be considered. The starting date is flexible within 2024.

The successful candidate will be expected to conduct exciting research related to understanding the “Global Evolution of Planet-forming Disks (GEPOD)”, a project funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe funding guarantee from ERC. Specifically, candidates will focus on (1) understanding the physical processes that dominate the evolution of protoplanetary disks, and how do these processes affect the chemical composition of close-in planets, (2) understanding if planet formation can happen early- and possibly during the star formation process, and (3) understanding how the simultaneous evolution of the host stars affect the disk evolution. All candidates are encouraged and expected to develop and pursue independent research ideas related to planet formation and the connection to the discovery and characterization of exoplanets.

The successful candidates are expected to hold or about to hold a PhD in astronomy, physics, astrophysics, mathematics, computer science, or a closely related discipline.  The ideal candidates will be experienced in one or more of the following areas: star or planet formation, hydrodynamical modelling, radiative transfer simulations, observations of protoplanetary disks at different wavelengths, data analysis.

Candidates should send directly to p.pinilla@ucl.ac.uk a brief statement of past and future research interests (4 pages maximum), CV, and publication list. An statement on commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion is desirable (1 page). In addition, please provide the contact details of three potential referees, who will be contacted for short-listed candidates. In addition, all applicants should submit an application form from

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/search-ucl-jobs/details?nPostingId=6662&nPostingTargetId=15218&id=Q1KFK026203F3VBQBLO8M8M07&LG=UK&languageSelect=UK&mask=ext

We particularly encourage applications from candidates currently underrepresented in UCL’s academic, research and teaching workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and women.