The Centro de Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto (CAUP) accepts applications for one Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher PhD Fellowship in the field of extra-solar planets, with financial support provided by the GREAT-Initial Training Network. The grant has a maximum duration of 3 years, starting in September/October 2011.

The generous monthly allowance and additional components (travel, etc...) will follow the values set by the European Commission.

The positions will be granted only if suitable candidates are found.

Project
The full exploitation of the scientific potential of Gaia astrometric detections of planetary systems will be achieved by combining Gaia data on exoplanets with precise radial-velocity measurements. The main focus of the project will be on the development of tools to carry out simultaneous radial-velocity and astrometric orbital fits. The tools developed will be applied in several cases. In particular we will focus on the search and characterisation of planets around active (young and low-mass) stars and multi-planet systems.

The fellowship has a total duration of 36 months. The student will be registered in the doctoral program at the University of Porto in September 2011. The research will be based in CAUP/Porto and conducted in close collaboration with INAF-Astronomical Observatory of Turin (OATo). A secondment to OATo of at least six months is planned.

The successful candidate will integrate the team on Origin and Evolution of Stars and Planets, through participation in the Extra-solar planet group in CAUP.

Seventeen Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher (ESR) Fellow positions will be available across the GREAT-ITN network commencing from May to Oct 2011 depending at which host institute the ESR post is located. For further details concerning GREAT see the GREAT-ITN website and this file.

Eligeability
Early-stage researchers are those who are, at the time of selection by the host institution, in the first four years (full time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree which formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate was envisaged. Researchers are normally required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up their appointment. One general rule applies to the appointment of researchers in a network:

"At the time of selection by the host organisation, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account. As far as international European interest organisations or international organisations are concerned, this rule does not apply to the hosting of eligible researchers, however the appointed researcher must not have spent more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the selection by the host organisation in the same appointing organisation".

Applicants should send:

• a letter of motivation;
• the curriculum vitae;
• the name, address and email of two referees.

Applications will be accepted until the 30^th of April 2011. An interview may be required for a short list of candidates.

The applications as well as any inquiries should be directed to Dr. Nuno C. Santos.

Selection Committee:
Nuno C. Santos (Chair)
Alessandro Sozzetti
Mário Monteiro

Publication date
6^th of December, 2010