The Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) in Garching (Bavaria/Germany) is a world-renowned institute in space- and ground-based experimental astrophysics, with leading roles in several large astronomical projects.
The research carried out in the Centre for Astrochemical Studies (CAS@MPE) is focused on various aspects of star and planet formation, with particular interest in applying astrochemistry to unveil the essential underlying processes. The CAS group includes expertise in theory, observations, and laboratory studies of the physical and chemical phenomena occurring in star- and planet-forming regions at various evolutionary stages.
In the framework of collaboration between CAS@MPE and the Physics Department of Technion University, funded by the German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development (GIF), we seek a postdoctoral candidate (m/f/d) to model CR-driven processes in molecular clouds. The work will be carried out at the interface between CR theory and astrochemistry. It will be focused on analyzing observationally constrained CR ionization in nearby molecular clouds, applying and developing available codes to compute the physical structure of these regions and their chemical composition while also providing predictions for future dedicated observations.
The appointment will be for two years, with the possibility of a one-year extension. Funding for travel and publication expenses will also be provided.
The salary and social benefits are based on the German TVÖD scale for public employees, depending on experience.
Applicants should submit their documents online in PDF form by April 7th, 2025. The documents include a CV, a list of publications, and a brief (~2 pages) description of research interests. Two referees should be identified who can provide letters of recommendation upon request.
For further information about the project, please contact Dr. Alexei Ivlev. For more information of the work of the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, visit our Institute website.
The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. MPE wishes to increase diversity and equality of opportunity in all respects and welcomes applications without regard to factors such as race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin or disability.