We advertise here postdoctoral positions related to MaTYSSE.

Applications are invited for a 2yr postdoctoral position (renewable for one year) in observational stellar astrophysics at IRAP / OMP / UFTMiP. The successful candidate will work with Drs G Hussain (ESO, Chaire d’Attractivité at UFTMiP) and JF Donati (CNRS / IRAP / OMP / UFTMiP), on spectropolarimetric studies of T Tauri stars within the framework of MaTYSSE (Magnetic Topologies of Young Stars and the Survival of massive close-in Exoplanets), a Large Programme bringing together experts in star formation to understand the role of magnetic fields in the early evolution of low-mass stars.

The work will focus on studying the properties of large-scale magnetic topologies of a sample of weak-line and classical T Tauri stars from sets of phase-resolved spectropolarimetric data collected within the MaTYSSE Large Program with the 3.6m CFHT, 2m TBL and 3.6m ESO telescopes, using indirect imaging techniques such as Zeeman-Doppler Imaging. Another project goal will be to look for the potential presence of massive close-in exoplanets orbiting around the MaTYSSE targets. This work also serves as science preparation for SPIRou, the new generation nIR velocimeter/spectropolarimeter in construction at IRAP / OMP / UFTMiP to be implemented at CFHT in 2017.

We are seeking a highly motivated researcher specialized in observational stellar astrophysics. Prior experience in the following areas is strongly preferred: spectropolarimetry, stellar surface imaging, stellar magnetic fields and velocimetry.

Located in Toulouse, in south-west France, IRAP / OMP / UFTMiP provides a thrilling and productive research environment, with more than 250 persons (scientists, postdocs, students, engineers, admin) working in most domains of astrophysics, from cosmology to planetology and astrochemistry, and from theoretical research to instrumentation.

Applicants should send their complete CV with full publication list, along with their long-term research project, to <jean-francois.donat [at] irap [dot] omp [dot] eu> and <ghussain [at] eso [dot] org> by 2015 June 1st.