UKRI Marie Sklodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher: MWGaiaDN: Revealing the Milky Way with Gaia (Fixed Term)

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance. 

In preparation for the ESA PLATO mission, spectroscopy data coupled with data from Gaia have an important role in building up a detailed knowledge of the bright star sample that will be targeted by PLATO. Detailed chemical analysis studies of exoplanet host stars have been used to infer that low metallicity stars that host exoplanets have an overabundance of alpha- elements. Precise chemical determinations of the host stars of exoplanets can potentially be used to statistically infer the makeup of their orbiting planets (terrestrial-like, gas- dwarf planets or gas giant planets). However, recent studies are revealing a range of subtle and sometimes conflicting results and trends (e.g. lack of clear correlations between stellar metallicity and planetary residual metallicity that would be predicted from Giant planet formation models). Comprehensive studies in twilight time survey of bright exoplanet host stars using new multi-object spectrographs are now being planned. These observations will provide detailed, high precision, chemical (covering a range of elements sampling the main nucleosynthesis pathways) characterization of bright stars likely to be observed with PLATO. Gaia data will be used to establish the host stars within their local (10pc) environment. Additionally, the correlations between host stars, their nearby neighbour star chemo-dynamical properties and their exoplanet systems will be investigated. Pilot studies will be carried out, initially against known star/exoplanet systems being discovered by TESS. The high precision abundances obtained will be important in understanding star-planet environmental effects. The PhD project will involve the definition and implementation of a potential WEAVE twilight survey, a wider investigation of contaminating sources (involving assessment of the Gaia release investigating close pairs), and comparison of exoplanet host star properties (chemo-dynamic) to their local neighbourhood. 

This PhD project is carried out as part of the new MWGaiaDN network (see https://www.mwgaiadn.eu/). This consists of 10 academic partners across Europe at which 12 PhD students will be active in the network researching a range of topics with Gaia and other data. The network students will be able to participate in a range of cross network training and research events. 

The researcher will be enrolled as a PhD Student and will be expected to spend periods on secondment stays at network partners, likely Padova and Dublin.

The salary is expected to be approximately £40,000 per annum (in line with Marie Curie Pay scales supported by a UKRI grant matching the terms of the EU MSCA studentship). Details of eligibility, further information and how to apply are found in the link given below. 

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit: http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/40025. 

Please submit your application by 23:59 GMT of the closing date of Wednesday, 3rd May 2023. Interviews will be conducted on Tuesday 30th May. If you have any queries about your application or wish to make an informal enquiry, please contact the Senior HR Coordinator hr@ast.cam.ac.uk. Dr Nicholas Walton is also available to provide further information (naw@ast.cam.ac.uk).

Please quote reference LG35882 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy. 

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Advert information