ESR 17

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: Dr. P. Beck (University Grenoble Alpes - IPAG) and Prof. P. Caselli (Max Planck institute for Extraterrestrial Studies)

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).

Eligibility: European and non-European students who 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.

Thesis description:

The formation of the Solar System has left traces in the chemical composition of its 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 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 appearance 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 presently forming solar-type planetary systems with its small bodies. 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

Send an email to the address aco-esr17@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr, The mail should include a letter of interest, a CV in pdf format and at least one recommendation letter.

Closing date for application: 2 June 2019

Expected date of recruitment: within 1 September and 1 November 2019.