PhD position in numerical modeling of asteroid evolution

PhD Project

The University of Bern invites applications for a fully funded PhD position in numerical modeling of asteroid evolution, with a focus on collisional processes and tidal effects. The successful candidate will contribute to an ambitious research project linked to ESA's upcoming RAMSES (Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety), a landmark mission in planetary science and planetary defense.

The position is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation project “Characterisation of Near Earth Asteroid Apophis by exploitation of RAMSES mission data”, a joint project with the Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern.

The RAMSES mission will rendezvous with the near-Earth asteroid (99942) Apophis in 2029 and observe its extremely close flyby of Earth; an event that occurs only once every thousand years. This unique natural experiment will provide unprecedented insight into how tidal forces can reshape an asteroid's surface and internal structure.
The University of Bern plays a major role in RAMSES through the CHANCES imaging system, which will deliver high-resolution multispectral observations of Apophis. These data will be combined with other instrument data, laboratory experiments, and advanced numerical modeling to build a comprehensive understanding of the asteroid.

This PhD position focuses on the numerical modeling component of the project. The candidate will develop and apply state-of-the-art simulation tools to:

• Model the formation and long-term collisional evolution of Apophis
• Simulate crater formation and regolith processes on small bodies
• Investigate tidal deformation and surface reshaping during the 2029 Earth flyby
• Integrate observational constraints from mission data into physically consistent models

This work will directly contribute to the interpretation of mission data, offering a unique opportunity to be involved in a high-profile space mission. The PhD candidate will join a dynamic, interdisciplinary team including three PhD students, a postdoctoral researcher, and a software engineer, collaborating on the project at the Division of Space Research and Planetary Sciences and the Astronomical Institute at the University of Bern.

Your profile

• Master's degree in (astro-) physics, astronomy, planetary science, or a related field
• Strong background in numerical modeling and computational methods
• Experience with SPH / N-body simulations, granular physics, or geophysical modeling is an advantage
• Programming skills (e.g., Python, Julia, C/C++, or similar)
• Interest in planetary science, astronomy and small-body research
• Ability to work collaboratively in an international team
• Fluency in written and spoken English

What we offer

• A fully funded PhD position at the University of Bern (with salary following the guidelines of the University of Bern)
• Participation in a cutting-edge ESA mission with high scientific impact
• Access to state-of-the-art computational resources
• A collaborative and international research environment
• Opportunities for conference participation and scientific networking