Job offer

Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur; France; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 50 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research institute in astronomy is offering a postdoc position focused on studying the small bodies of our Solar system. The researcher will compile properties of near-Earth objects into a specialized database and conduct a personal research project. Candidates are required to hold a PhD in planetary sciences and have solid coding skills in Python. The role is full-time with a start date in May 2026 and is based in Nice, France.

Qualifications

• PhD in planetary sciences, focused on the small bodies of the Solar system.
• Solid coding capacities in python required.

Responsabilités

• Compile physical properties of near-Earth objects into the SsODNet service.
• Conduct a research project on small bodies, optionally proposed by the applicant.

Connaissances

Solid coding capacities in python

Formation

PhD in planetary sciences

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur Department Lagrange Research Field Astronomy » Astrophysics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 28 Feb 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 May 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The small bodies of our Solar system (comets and asteroids) are the remnants of the building blocs that accreted to form the planets. The suite of events that occurred during planet formation left prints in their orbital, compositional, and size distribution. As such, building statistical knowledge on small bodies is crucial.

We have built a service, SsODNet, that compiles millions of properties (diameter, albedo, mass, color...) of asteroids (Berthier et al. 2023). We propose a one year post-doc contract to contribute to the service and leverage on it to study small bodies.

The time will be devoted to two different yet complementary activities. The hired post-doc will

1. compile physical properties of near-Earth objects (comets and asteroids) into the SsODNet service (Berthier et al. 2023). This encompasses reading articles, extracting relevant information, formatting the data to ingest it in the database, and curating/validating the content.
2. conduct a research project on small bodies. We offer the possibility to applicants to propose their own research project. Otherwise, we propose a project on the polarimetric properties of small bodies in link with their compositions and albedos.

The post-doctoral researcher is expected to divide their time equally in the two activities (i.e., each should account for 50% full-time equivalent).

• PhD in planetary sciences, on the small bodies of the Solar system
• Solid coding capacities in python

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Research Field Astronomy » Astrophysics Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

Selection process

• Short list will be created based on applications
• Interviews will be conducted (in English) for short-listed applicants

Additional comments

The application via email must contain (in a single file):

• Updated CV of the applicant
• A short description of the proposed research project if applicable
• A short description on the interest for the position

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Lagrange, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur Country France City NICE Postal Code 06300 Street bvd de l'Observatoire Geofield