Two tenure track positions in exoplanet research in Amsterdam

Two tenure track positions in exoplanet research in Amsterdam

Two Tenure-track positions for exoplanetary research and instrumentation at the Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and at SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research. The Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy at the University of Amsterdam has a long tradition of excellence in astronomical research, including a strong program on star and planet formation. It is part of the Dutch Top Research School NOVA. At SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research specialists from various disciplines work together to push back the frontiers of technology and with this to advance the boundaries of scientific knowledge. SRON is considered to be a global leader in the area of earth and space science, due to the space instruments it develops for the satellites of ESA, NASA and JAXA.

The UvA and SRON are seeking to fill two tenure-track positions in the field of exoplanetary research, in order to start a close collaboration in this area. In the context of a large reshaping of the research landscape in Amsterdam, the University of Amsterdam and the Free University are intensifying their collaboration in Natural Sciences, creating one of the largest concentrations in Europe. Research into exoplanets and the connections with System Earth will be a strong focus of research on the Science Park campus. In addition, SRON/Utrecht is planning to relocate from its current location in Utrecht to a new building in the Science Park in Amsterdam. In order to build a new area of joint research between SRON and the astronomy department of the universities in Amsterdam and other universities, we are looking for

1. An observational astronomer with strong abilities to work with existing ESO and other internationally competitive instrumentation on the detection and in particular characterization of exoplanets. The candidate will have an exceptionally strong research program in this area and should be able to connect both to the research on protoplanetary disks and planet formation at the University of Amsterdam and to instrumentation efforts at SRON.

2. A planetary atmosphere modelling expert with strong abilities for the analysis and modelling of exoplanet observations. The candidate is expected to build up strong ties with international instrumentation teams in the field of the conception and scientific optimization of new ground based and in particular space based instrumentation.

Both candidates are required to have a PhD in (astro)physics and should have proven capabilities to build up a research group of internationally outstanding level. Scientists at both institutions have access to national funding lines, e.g. the "Vernieuwings Impuls" at the Dutch research organization NWO, as well as European funding lines like ERC grants and FP7 programs and networks.

The selected candidates will be offered a tenure track appointment at UvA or SRON. The salary will be at assistant/associate professor equivalent levels based primarily on previous experience.

Letters of application (including resume, research and teaching statements, publication list highlighting five characteristic ones) and (separately) three letters of reference should be sent to secr-astro-science@uva.nl before 15 May 2014. Applications will continue to be considered until the position is filled.

Comprehensive benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, 13th month, disability insurance, maternity and parental leave, affordable health insurance, and retirement benefits.

For further enquiries contact: Prof.Dr. Carsten Dominik (dominik@uva.nl) and Dr. Avri Selig (A.M.Selig@sron.nl).