The SFB "Habitability as a fundamental planetary process: Towards a paradigm shift away from our perception of the uniqueness of Earth" is a newly established Collaborative Research Center studying habitability for life as we know it based on fundamental physio-geo-chemical processes set by the planet’s evolution. The study of planetary habitability in this SFB is therefore oriented along the planetary boundary conditions set by astronomy, physics, chemistry and geology, rather than Earth-specific biological evolution. By focusing on the environments in which life may (or may not) evolve, the SFB will be able to define which signatures (such as trace elements in an atmosphere) can be explained by abiotic processes, and which would indeed need some form of extraterrestrial life, leading to a new database of potential biosignatures as well as traces of habitability. As finding potential biosignatures or traces of habitability may also impact society, the SFB takes a holistic approach and investigates also ethical considerations, how scientists communicate scientific results to the public and how these are discussed in social media, as well as the general perception of the public and factors influencing this. In the SFB, different views on one of the most important questions of humanity — are we alone in the universe? — will therefore be examined hand in hand with different perspectives in natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
More information: .
Job description:
We are seeking applicants at post-doc level for a position in the newly established collaborative research center SFB .
The subproject will study the coupled thermal and orbital evolution of icy moons, focusing in the first project phase on Saturn’s active moon Enceladus. The task of the postdoctoral work will be to investigate the orbital evolution, including the interaction with the planet, the Saturnian satellite system, and the rings. For plausible orbital evolution scenarios the coupling of these processes will be explored, which is established by the temperature and frequency dependent mechanical properties of the interior. The postdoctoral researcher will implement an N-body code for the orbital evolution of a system of icy satellites and will include tidal interactions in that model to study the coupled thermal and orbital evolution. Also numerically less demanding approximations will be used, in terms of orbit averaged evolution equations for the orbital parameters. In later phases, the methods will be applied to other icy moons of the solar system, dwarf planets, KBOs, and exomoons. In this way the project will contribute to the understanding of the formation of habitable niches on bodies with a substantial water fraction. The researcher will conduct parameter studies, analyse the results, present them at conferences, and contribute to publications. For more information, please contact Jürgen Schmidt ().
Requirements:
Completed PhD in Physics, Planetary Sciences or a related field
Desirable:
• Excellent academic record and doctorate/PhD thesis
• Experience in celestial mechanics and computational physics will be an advantage
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills, good communication skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Very good written and spoken English (B2/C1)