The successful candidate will join the new research group founded at the IWF entitled “Planet-forming Disks and Astrochemistry” led by Dr. Peter Woitke as part of the OeAW’s efforts to expand the theme of exoplanet research at the Space Research Institute (IWF) in Graz.
The disk group will focus on connecting astrochemistry with planet formation, and to link those theories to both astronomical and solar system observations, and here links to current and future observational campaigns with IWF contribution are highly desirable.
The candidate is expected to contribute to the development of the disk group in Graz by submitting new observational proposals and funding applications. Observational data obtained with ground-based facilities, space-borne instruments and in-situ solar system exploration missions are to be compared to modelling results obtained with the thermo-chemical disk simulation code ProDiMo, concerning, for example, the ionisation and the evolution of the chemical composition of the gas in the disk, the formation of mixed ice phases, and the material composition of the rocks forming in the disks. New suitable ESA L, M, and F space missions are to be identified, and supported by personal involvement in the international teams leading them.
The applicant must hold a PhD in Physics, Geophysics, Astrophysics, or a related field.