The exoplanet team of Geneva University has an opening for a postdoctoral researcher to work on the mass characterization of transiting exoplanets through high-precision radial velocity measurements. Focusing on the low-mass range of exoplanets and using the high-precision spectrographs CORALIE, SOPHIE, HARPS, HARPS-N, SPIROU, ESPRESSO and NIRPS, our team is strongly involved in the follow-up of NGTS, K2 and TESS candidates. A special focus will be done on the rocky and sub-Neptune planets orbiting M dwarf using NIRPS (Near Infra-Red Planet Searcher), a new near-infrared high-resolution spectrograph to be installed on the ESO 3.6-m telescope in end 2019. NIRPS consortium will benefit of a total of 725 GTO nights to conduct an intensive program of radial velocity follow-up of transiting rocky exoplanets.
 
The selected applicant is requested to work on the radial velocity follow-up of small-sizes exoplanets with high-precision radial-velocity spectrographs. He/She will be strongly involved in the science validation and science exploitation of NIRPS, the optimization of radial velocity extraction for nIR spectrographs, the development of specific tools for the Data and Analysis Center for Exoplanets (DACE) for validation and combined analysis of transiting exoplanets, and to analyze and interpret the results in order to probe their internal structure and composition.
 
The Department of Astronomy of the University of Geneva offers a modern and vibrant work environment, with a wide range of activities including theory, numerical simulations, observations and instrumental developments in the domains of exoplanets, stellar physics, galactic dynamics, observational cosmology and high-energy astrophysics. Our exoplanet team is especially well renown, with strong involvement in exoplanets detection, the determination of the planet physical properties, the characterization of planet atmospheres, and the development of an associated world-class instrumentation. We are also co-leading the Swiss-wide National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) PlanetS, dedicated to the study of the origin, evolution, and characterization of planets inside and outside our Solar System. The applicant will also have the opportunity to develop collaborations with members of PlanetS.
 
Applicants are expected to have a strong experience in observation, data reduction and analysis of high-precision radial velocities. The length of the postdoc contract is of 2 years, with possible extension to a third year depending on available funds. Candidates should be less than 3 years after their PhD at the beginning of the position. This position is founded by Swiss National Science Foundation with a gross salary around 80,000 CHF a year. The position is available immediately. Interested candidates should contact Prof. François Bouchy, at the Astronomy Department of University of Geneva, and send (in a singe pdf file) a CV, a publication list, a motivation letter, a short research statement describing past achievements and future projects and arrange for up to two letters of recommendation to be sent before 31th December 2018.
 
Website: http://www.exoplanets.ch/

François Bouchy
Observatoire Astronomique de l’Université de Genève
Email: francois.bouchy(at)unige.ch / Phone: +41 22 37 92 460