Offer Description
We invite applications for a 2+1yr postdoctoral position in stellar and exoplanet research at the Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie (IRAP) located in Toulouse, France, within the SPIRou science consortium locally coordinated by Drs JF Donati and C Moutou.
This project aims at modeling the planetary systems and magnetic topologies of M dwarfs, monitored with the SPIRou near-infrared spectropolarimeter at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) since 2019 in the framework of the SPIRou Large Programs. The goal is to exploit SPIRou data collected for a few tens of M dwarfs of various masses, to (i) study the radial velocity curves and filter out activity to unveil / constrain their planetary systems, (ii) analyse the spectropolarimetric data with Zeeman-Doppler imaging (ZDI) to reconstruct the evolving stellar magnetic topologies and characterize the underlying dynamo processes.
Forthcoming observations will also include, in addition to SPIRou near-infrared spectra, optical spectra simultaneously collected with the ESPaDOnS spectropolarimeter at CFHT, further broadening the panel of available diagnostics. The work will take place at IRAP with Drs JF Donati and C Moutou, starting Q4 2026 (preferably) or Q1 2027.
IRAP, PS2E stellar physics / exoplanet group
Where to apply
Website: https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR5277-SANCHU-090/Default.aspx
Requirements
- Research Field: Astronomy
- Education Level: PhD or equivalent
- Languages: FRENCH, Level: Basic
- Research Field: Astronomy
- Years of Research Experience: None
Additional Information
Eligibility criteria
In addition to a PhD in astrophysics, the candidates must have a solid background in stellar spectropolarimetry and / or velocimetry to efficiently analyze spectra collected with SPIRou and ESPaDOnS.
Further information: A two-year contract, renewable for one year. The start date is scheduled for 1 January 2027 and may be adjusted by a few months depending on the availability of the successful candidate.
The candidates should provide by 2026 September 30 via the careers portal a motivation letter (maximum of two pages) and a CV (maximum of two pages) and the following documents (PDF only, via a file server):
- a description of past and current research statements (maximum of five pages),
- a publication list,
- 3 reference letters sent by the mentors (same deadline)
to Drs JF Donati (jean-francois.donati@cnrs.fr) and C Moutou (claire.moutou@cnrs.fr).
Short-listed candidates will be invited for an on-line interview ~2 weeks after the deadline.
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 1
- Company/Institute: Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et planétologie
- Country: France
- City: TOULOUSE