Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d) · to detect exoplanets through magnetic star-planet interaction

Our Offer

• Comprehensive onboarding, professional development and further training opportunities
• Diverse and varied tasksin an international work environment
• Renumeration according to TVöDBund, based on qualifications and experience, annual bonus and additional pension scheme (VBL)
• 30 days of vacation plus4 additional days off
• Full-time and part-timeemployment; flexibleworking time andpossibility of mobile work
• Cooperation with localbilingual Montessori childcare center
• Good connectionby public transport
• Corporate healthmanagement

Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d) to detect exoplanets through magnetic star-planet interaction

In recent years, exoplanetary science has undergone a major shift -- moving from exoplanet detection towards understanding star-planet systems as a whole, including the host star, interplanetary medium and galactic context. Specifically, tidal and magnetic interactions between planets and their host stars have been recognized to be able to modulate the evolution of both, including the atmospheric evolution of the planet and its habitability. The newly established ERC StG project PLANETARE seeks a postdoctoral researcher with a background in stellar magnetism and/or exoplanetary science to develop novel ways of detecting and characterizing the mutual influence of stars and planets with a focus on the influence of planets in short orbits on the magnetism of their host stars.

At the core of the project is a new way to find exoplanets: detecting them through their magnetic interaction with the host star. This position develops the detection method itself, i.e., the statistics, the search, and the physical model behind it.

Your Tasks

• Develop new statistical techniques to identify signatures of planet-induced flaring
• Identify young stars and search them for planet-induced flaring using archival and upcoming Kepler, TESS, and PLATO observations
• Measure how the strength and frequency of planet-induced flaring change as systems age
• Develop a forward model of the magnetic feedback loop between planet and star

The derived occurrence rates of planet-induced flaring constrain the prevalence of interaction; the modeling of the evolution and mechanism will be built on the largest survey for planet-induced flaring to date. You will work closely with a second postdoc within a small, newly formed team of two postdocs and a PhD student, led by the PI (Ekaterina Ilin). Group members are supported to lead their own papers and proposals, and to present at international meetings in both the stellar and exoplanet communities.

Your Qualification

• A PhD in physics or astrophysics (PhD must be awarded by the start date)
• Experience with statistical inference and/or modelling of stellar magnetic fields
• The ability to work in a team
• A good command of the English language

Additional Information

• Start date between January and October 2027
• Duration: 4 years
• Remuneration is according to EG 13 TVöD-Bund
• Application deadline is October 30, 2026 (interviews in late November / early December 2026)

The Max Planck Society endeavours to achieve gender equality and diversity. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals

Website of the Institute https://www.mps.mpg.de/en