Postdoc position Space Research and Planetary Sciences / Astronomical Institute

About the project

The Division of Space Research and Planetary Sciences and the Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern invite applications for a fully funded postdoc position (2 years + possible 1 year extension). 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 of the Division of Space Research and Planetary Sciences (Physics Institute) and 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 postdoctoral project focuses on developing a numerical Apophis Reference Model (ARM), a comprehensive and consistent framework that defines the asteroid's coordinates system, rotation state, global shape, surface properties, interior mass distribution, and key surface features. This model serves as a common reference for the entire project.
A central task is to integrate and harmonize results from multiple work packages and methodologies by projecting observational and simulation data onto and into the ARM. This includes mapping photometric observations and impact simulations to better constrain surface and subsurface properties, defining surface features for precise rotation modeling, and analyzing reflectance data to support instrument performance studies. The project also investigates changes in Apophis's surface, interior, shape, and rotation caused by its close encounter with Earth, providing key insights into its physical structure and evolution. The postdoc 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

• PhD degree in (astro-)physics, astronomy, planetary science, geology, or a related field
• Strong interest for planetary sciences, astronomy and small-body research
• Scientific programming skills (e.g., Python, Julia, C/C++, or similar)
• Ability to work collaboratively in an international team
• Fluency in written and spoken English

The following will be considered advantages:

• Background in small body geophysics and experience with geophysical modeling
• Knowledge of (some of) the following fields: spectro-photometry, gravity field determination, impact modelling
• Willingness to expand into new fields and methods
• Knowledge of standard data and archive formats (PDS, PSA) for space mission datasets
• Use of Geographic Information System (GIS)
• Use of the SPICE toolkit used to compute geometric observations for space missions.

What we offer

• A fully funded postdoc 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 and experimental resources
• A collaborative and international research environment
• Opportunities for conference participation and scientific networking