Job Opportunities

ESR position offered 

We are pleased to announce the availability of one Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) position.
Thesis title: A new model of the Proto Solar Nebula: organic and molecular fractionation chemistry. 

Supervisor: Prof. C. Ceccarelli (University Grenoble Alpes - IPAG)
Co-Supervisors: Prof. P. Caselli (Max Planck institute for Extraterrestrial Studies) and Dr. P. Beck (University Grenoble Alpes – IPAG)

Recruitment Institutions: the first 18 months at University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble (France); the second 18 months at Max Planck institute for Extraterrestrial Studies, Garching (Germany)
Doctoral School: University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble (France)

Mobility: The ESR will spend the first 18 months at University Grenoble Alpes (Grenoble, France) and the second 18 months at Max Planck institute for Extraterrestrial Studies (Garching, Germany).
Thesis description:  
The formation of the Solar System has left traces in the chemical composition of early-accreted bodies. Particularly rich in this information are the so-called small bodies:  comets, asteroids, and their fragments that reach the Earth as meteorites, Interplanetary Dust Particles (IDPs), Trans-Neptunians Objects (TNOs)... 
Specifically, their content in complex organics as well as the so-called isotopic anomalies turns out to be an extremely useful testimony of what happened to the Solar System at its birth.
The goal of the thesis is to construct a model of the early phases of the Proto Solar Nebula (PSN) based on the chemical link between the Solar System small bodies and the currently forming Solar-like planetary systems.
To this end, the thesis will develop a model coupling the dynamic evolution of the first phases of the collapse with a dedicated astrochemical model to predict the evolution of organic matter and the molecular fractionation during the earliest phases the Solar System, namely up to the hot corino and the onset of disk phase. The student will include the new reactions studied by the ACO project and make use of the comparison between the model predictions and the observations obtained by ACO members to constrain the model.
 
The thesis is part of the ACO network, whose ultimate goal is to reconstruct the early history of the Solar System by comparing the chemical composition of presently forming Solar-like planetary systems with that of small bodies in our Solar System. The comparison will be based on the most advanced astrochemical knowledge, which will be developed by the interdisciplinary ACO team.  
Requested background:  
The successful applicant must have a Master’s degree in Physics or Astrophysics or Computer Science or similar by the time of enrollment and be highly motivated. Knowledge of relevant program languages and/or previous experience in astrochemistry and modeling will be appreciated.
Excellent Master's degree grades are expected as well as a high level of written and spoken English. Team work ability is essential.

Salary: The gross amount of the Research fellowship is paid as follows:
- for the first 18 months: € 2708/month (living allowance) + € 430/month (mobility allowance) = € 3138 (monthly gross amount) plus possible Family Allowance in addition to coverage of study and research relates expenses;
- for the last 18 months: € 2599/month.
Social security is fully covered.

See details on the financial aspects of Marie Sklodowska-Curie-ITN in the Guide for applicants Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Innovative Training Networks (ITN) 2018, published at http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/other/guides_for_applicants/h2020-guide-appl-msca-itn_en.pdf. 

How to apply
In order to apply, please send an email to the aco-esr17@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr. 
The application should include a letter of interest, a CV with your marks in the Master courses, and at least one recommendation letter, which could be sent in a separate mail to aco-esr17@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr.
Crucial dates

Closing date for application: 2 June 2020

Communication of short-listed candidates: 4th June

Short-listed candidates' interviews: the week of 8th June

Finalelection announcement: by 15th June 2020

Expected date of recruitment: within 1 October and 1 December 2020.


Eligibility criteria
European and non-European students are invited to apply. 
To be eligible, the candidate needs to:
- be in the first four years of her/his research career, since, e.g., completion of master degree, and not have been awarded a doctoral degree;
- must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, ect.) in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date;
- be willing to spend 18 months the Germany, at the MPE (Garching) ACO Partner.


Selection process
An eligibility screening will take place immediately after any application reception. This will be done by the ACO coordination staff at University Grenoble Alpes. Applicants who do not appear to comply with the eligibility criteria listed above will be asked to provide more evidence: applicants who cannot demonstrate their eligibility will be notified by ACO and excluded by the selection.
Eligible applications will be considered by a committee consisting of the future thesis supervisor(s), the relevant Work Package Coordinator, and the ACO network Coordinator and Deputy. 
The selection panel will select candidates for a virtual interview. 
Candidates will then be ranked by the selection panel including a list of reserve candidates.
Candidates will be informed of the final outcome by the ACO Coordinator as soon as possible after the selection process has concluded (see below, Crucial dates). 
Please note that the members of the ACO network are committed to the principle of equal opportunities. Women are especially encouraged to apply. The ACO project supports the compatibility of career and family.

Look at FAQ for frequent questions and answers. If you don't find an answer to your question please please send a mail to aco-info@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr.