Postdoctoral Researcher in Exoplanet Atmosphere Characterisation

About the role

ETH Zurich is 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. 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 is closely connected to the ETH-led LIFE space mission, a mid-infrared nulling interferometer designed to detect and spectroscopically characterise dozens of temperate terrestrial exoplanets. The successful candidate joins the LIFE Science Team and works with researchers and students at ETH Zurich and across the wider LIFE collaboration.

Key responsibilities

• 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, such as non-Earth-like biospheres, non-standard biosignatures and relevant abiotic alternatives.
• Use and further develop atmospheric retrieval and/or complementary modelling and inference approaches, potentially including machine learning and AI.
• Translate atmospheric-characterisation results into science requirements and instrument-performance requirements for LIFE, in close collaboration with the LIFE Science and Instrument Science Teams.
• Contribute new scientific ideas to the LIFE science case and interact with the broader LIFE collaboration.
• Mentor PhD and undergraduate students on their research projects.

Required profile

• PhD in astrophysics, planetary science, atmospheric science, physics or a closely related field, completed by the start date.
• Good understanding of the major scientific questions surrounding exoplanet habitability, biosignatures and the search for life.
• Ability and interest to work across disciplinary boundaries and interact with the exoplanet, atmospheric-science and astrobiology communities.
• Willingness to mentor students and a collaborative, scientifically independent approach.

Required skills

• Experience with atmospheric retrievals and a strong background in exoplanet atmospheric modelling and characterisation.
• 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.

What we offer

• A collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment within the Exoplanets and Habitability Group and the LIFE Space Mission team, with 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 two-year appointment, with the possibility of extension depending on performance and funding.

Applications are submitted online through the university's application portal as a single PDF containing a CV with publications, a two-page statement of research interests and three referees. The deadline is 15 November 2026; the start date is flexible and can be as early as March/April 2027.