Postdoctoral Researcher in Exoplanet Atmosphere Characterisation and the Search for Life

ETH Zurich; Zürich; On-site; CHF 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

ETH Zurich's Exoplanets and Habitability Group invites applications for a two-year Postdoctoral Researcher position focused on atmospheric characterisation of temperate terrestrial exoplanets and the search for signs of life within the LIFE mission framework.

The successful candidate will develop and apply atmospheric retrievals, explore diverse planetary atmospheres, and work closely with the LIFE Science Team, ETH researchers and students.

Qualifications

• PhD completed by start date in a related field.
• Experience with atmospheric retrievals and exoplanet modelling.

Responsibilities

• Develop and pursue research on characterisation of temperate terrestrial exoplanet atmospheres and search for signs of life.
• Investigate diverse atmospheric scenarios beyond Earth analogues.
• Use and develop atmospheric retrieval and modelling approaches, potentially including ML/AI.
• Collaborate with LIFE Science Team to translate results into science requirements for LIFE.
• Mentor PhD and undergraduate students on related projects.

Skills

Atmospheric retrievals

Exoplanet atmosphere modelling

Scientific programming

Machine learning (optional)

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

PhD in astrophysics or related field

Tools

Radiative-transfer models

Climate/GCM models

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher in Exoplanet Atmosphere Characterisation and the Search for Life

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to work on the atmospheric characterisation of temperate terrestrial exoplanets and the search for life within the Exoplanets and Habitability Group led by Prof. Sascha P. Quanz at ETH Zurich. The two-year position is embedded in the NCCR Genesis, the National Centre of Competence in Research on the emergence of life in the Universe , and closely connected to the ETH-led LIFE space mission . LIFE is a space-based mid-infrared nulling interferometer to directly detect and spectroscopically characterise dozens of temperate terrestrial exoplanets around nearby stars. The successful candidate will join the LIFE Science Team and work closely with researchers and students at ETH Zurich and across the wider LIFE collaboration.

Project background

A central goal of LIFE is to characterise the atmospheres of temperate terrestrial exoplanets and ultimately assess their habitability and possible signs of life. Understanding which atmospheric properties can be robustly inferred from mid-infrared observations is also essential for translating LIFE's science goals into science requirements and corresponding instrument-performance requirements.

Our group has developed the atmospheric retrieval framework pyRetLIFE and has so far investigated mainly Earth-like planets and classical atmospheric biosignature gases. An important next step is to broaden this work towards the diversity of potentially habitable and inhabited worlds: different atmospheric compositions and climates, non-Earth-like biospheres, non-standard biosignatures, and the abiotic scenarios against which potential signs of life need to be interpreted.

While atmospheric retrievals might be an important starting point, the project may also involve complementary atmospheric modelling or alternative inference approaches, including machine learning and AI. Possible focus points for personal research performed by the successful applicant include (but are not restricted to) how to characterise diverse planetary atmospheres, how to distinguish biological interpretations from plausible abiotic alternatives, and how these results can inform the science and instrument requirements of LIFE.

• Develop and pursue research on the characterisation of temperate terrestrial exoplanet atmospheres and the search for signs of life in the context of the LIFE mission
• Investigate atmospheric scenarios beyond modern Earth analogues; this may include non-Earth-like biospheres, non-standard biosignatures and/or relevant abiotic alternatives
• Use and further develop atmospheric retrieval and/or complementary modelling and inference approaches, potentially including ML/AI methods
• In close collaboration with the LIFE Science Team and LIFE Instrument Science Team, translate atmospheric-characterisation results into science requirements and related instrument-performance requirements for LIFE
• Contribute new scientific ideas to the development of the LIFE science case and interact with the broader LIFE collaboration
• Work closely with and provide scientific mentoring to PhD and undergraduate students pursuing related projects

Profile

• PhD in astrophysics, planetary science, atmospheric science, physics or a closely related field, completed by the start date
• Experience with atmospheric retrievals and a strong background in exoplanet atmospheric modelling and characterisation
• Good understanding of the major scientific questions surrounding exoplanet habitability, biosignatures and the search for life
• Strong scientific programming skills; experience with radiative-transfer, photochemical, climate or general-circulation models is welcome
• Experience with machine-learning or AI approaches for atmospheric inference is welcome but not required
• Ability and interest to work across disciplinary boundaries and interact with the broader exoplanet, atmospheric-science and astrobiology communities
• Willingness to work closely with PhD and undergraduate students and provide scientific mentoring and guidance on their research projects
• Scientific independence, curiosity and a collaborative approach to research

We offer

• A collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment within the Exoplanets and Habitability Group and the LIFE Space Mission team at ETH Zurich, with close links to the international LIFE collaboration
• An active community within the NCCR Genesis, spanning astrophysics, planetary science, geochemistry, chemistry and biology
• Competitive salary and benefits according to ETH regulations, with support for conference travel, computing and career development
• An initial appointment for two years with the possibility of an extension depending on performance and funding

In line with our values , ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future .

Curious? So are we.

Further information about our group can be found on our Website . Questions regarding the position and informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to Prof. Sascha Quanz, [e-mail] (no applications).

We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.

The deadline for applications is November 15, 2026. The start date is flexible but can be as early as March/April 2027.

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising inscience and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education,cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledgeinto society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find ouruniversity to be a place that promotes independent thinking and anenvironment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe,yet forging connections all over the world, we work together todevelop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.