Postdoctoral Researcher in Exoplanet Atmosphere Characterisation and the Search for Life

About this position

Postdoctoral Researcher in Exoplanet Atmosphere Characterisation and the Search for Life

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to work on the atmospheric characterisation of temperate terrestrial exoplanets and the search for life within the Exoplanets and Habitability Group led by Prof. Sascha P. Quanz at ETH Zurich. The two-year position is embedded in the NCCR Genesis, the National Centre of Competence in Research on the emergence of life in the

Universe

, and closely connected to the

ETH-led LIFE space mission

. LIFE is a space-based mid-infrared nulling interferometer to directly detect and spectroscopically characterise dozens of temperate terrestrial exoplanets around nearby stars. The successful candidate will join the LIFE Science Team and work closely with researchers and students at ETH Zurich and across the wider LIFE collaboration.

Project background

A central goal of LIFE is to characterise the atmospheres of temperate terrestrial exoplanets and ultimately assess their habitability and possible signs of life. Understanding which atmospheric properties can be robustly inferred from mid-infrared observations is also essential for translating LIFE's science goals into science requirements and corresponding instrument-performance requirements.

Our group has developed the atmospheric retrieval framework pyRetLIFE and has so far investigated mainly Earth-like planets and classical atmospheric biosignature gases. An important next step is to broaden this work towards the diversity of potentially habitable and inhabited worlds: different atmospheric compositions and climates, non-Earth-like biospheres, non-standard biosignatures, and the abiotic scenarios against which potential signs of life need to be interpreted.

While atmospheric retrievals might be an important starting point, the project may also involve complementary atmospheric modelling or alternative inference approaches, including machine learning and AI. Possible focus points for personal research performed by the successful applicant include (but are not restricted to) how to characterise diverse planetary atmospheres, how to distinguish biological interpretations from plausible abiotic alternatives, and how these results can inform the science and instrument requirements of LIFE.

Job description

Develop and pursue research on the characterisation of temperate terrestrial exoplanet atmospheres and the search for signs of life in the context of the LIFE mission

Investigate atmospheric scenarios beyond modern Earth analogues; this may include non-Earth-like biospheres, non-standard biosignatures and/or relevant abiotic alternatives

Use and further develop atmospheric retrieval and/or complementary modelling and inference approaches, potentially including ML/AI methods

In close collaboration with the LIFE Science Team and LIFE Instrument Science Team, translate atmospheric-characterisation results into science requirements and related instrument-performance requirements for LIFE

Contribute new scientific ideas to the development of the LIFE science case and interact with the broader LIFE collaboration

Work closely with and provide scientific mentoring to PhD and undergraduate students pursuing related projects

Profile

PhD in astrophysics, planetary science, atmospheric science, physics or a closely related field, completed by the start date

Experience with atmospheric retrievals and a strong background in exoplanet atmospheric modelling and characterisation

Good understanding of the major scientific questions surrounding exoplanet habitability, biosignatures and the search for life

Strong scientific programming skills; experience with radiative-transfer, photochemical, climate or general-circulation models is welcome

Experience with machine-learning or AI approaches for atmospheric inference is welcome but not required

Ability and interest to work across disciplinary boundaries and interact with the broader exoplanet, atmospheric-science and astrobiology communities

Willingness to work closely with PhD and undergraduate students and provide scientific mentoring and guidance on their research projects

Scientific independence, curiosity and a collaborative approach to research

We offer

A collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment within the Exoplanets and Habitability Group and the LIFE Space Mission team at ETH Zurich, with close links to the international LIFE collaboration

An active community within the NCCR Genesis, spanning astrophysics, planetary science, geochemistry, chemistry and biology

Competitive salary and benefits according to ETH regulations, with support for conference travel, computing and career development

An initial appointment for two years with the possibility of an extension depending on performance and funding

Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich

We value diversity and sustainabilityIn line with

our values

, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our

Equal Opportunities and Diversity website

to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a

climate-neutral future

.Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents combined into a single PDF:

A CV including a publication list

A statement of research interests (max. 2 page), including your own ideas for the project

Names and contact details of three referees

Further information about our group can be found on our

Website

. Questions regarding the position and informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to Prof. Sascha Quanz,

sascha.quanz@phys.ethz.ch

(no applications). Please note that applications must be submi