We are seeking to appoint four Marie Curie Experienced Researchers to carry out postdoctoral research as part of the EU Initial Training Network RoPACS (Rocky Planets Around Cool Stars).
RoPACS is a large international partnership of research institutes coordinated by the University of Hertfordshire and funded by the European Commission to carry out research and training in the new and fast moving field of planets around cool stars (click here for more information). Around these relatively small low-mass stars, planet searches/studies become more sensitive to smaller lower-mass planets that could be rocky Earth-like worlds. In RoPACS you would join the pioneering search for such planets using the WFCAM Transit Survey - a major new infrared transit survey on the UK Infrared Telescope. You would also have the opportunity to pursue your own independent research programme in a vibrant research environment.
These positions are for 2 years, with some flexibility in start date around March/April 2010 or soon after, and will be based at
The positions come with a very generous salary determined by EU scales, including standard social benefits. Additional funds will also be available for travel and other research expenses.
Applicants should (at the time of recruitment) have a Ph.D. in Astronomy or Physics and a promising research record. Experience in high resolution spectroscopy and/or photometric techniques for exoplanet discovery/study will be a strong asset.
To comply with the European Commission's mobility, nationality and research experience criteria for eligibility, applicants must be nationals of a country other than that of the institute in which they would be based. They must not have resided in the country in which they would be based for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to taking up the post. An applicant's research experience may not exceed 5 years (full time equivalent) at the time of commencing their post. This term of research experience must include the applicant's Ph.D. research, but should not include periods away from research, and should account appropriately for the full time equivalence of the research during research periods (e.g. separating research and taught courses).
A single application for any/all of these posts should be submitted to the University of Hertfordshire's on-line recruitment website (http://recruitment.herts.ac.uk/Recruit - vacancy number EN8851) by the closing date of 28th February 2010, and should be accompanied by a curriculum vitae and personal statement (in Word or PDF format) emailed to jobs@herts.ac.uk and also to . Your personal statement should list which position(s) you wish to be considered for, and present a summary of your research strengths. Candidates must also arrange for two letters of recommendation to be sent directly to
For all enquires contact:
Dr David Pinfield,
RoPACS coordinator,
Centre for Astrophysics Research,
Science & Technology Research Institute,
University of Hertfordshire,
College Lane,
Hatfield,
AL10 9AB,
United Kingdom,
Tel: +44 (0)1707 284171