Most stars have planets, and at least 25% of the solar-type stars has a small, rocky, Earth-like planet in its habitable zone. Terrestrial-type planets have been detected and some atmospheres can already be observed with current facilities (e.g. Trappist-1). Additionally, huge ground-based telescopes, such as the 39-meter European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) are being built and large space-based telescopes (e.g. Habex/Luvoir) are being designed that can image such small planets around nearby stars and provide information about their properties. Without doubt, the most spell-binding property would be the presence of extraterrestrial life. Detecting life or even a planet’s habitability is hard: until into the 1960’s, Venus was thought to be habitable, because its bright clouds reflect most of the incident sunlight back to space. A spacecraft fly-by revealed that Venus has an oven-hot surface, and a surface pressure a hundred times that of Earth. Why and when the evolutionary paths of Venus and Earth, that are similarly sized and should have similar internal compositions, started to diverge. The answer to this question will help to better understand planetary atmospheres and climates, including that of our own Earth.

The focus of this project is on the astronomical observables that connect properties of a planet’s interior with its surface and atmosphere. The interior comprises the composition, structure, mantle temperature, and related viscosity. You will study how a planet’s viscosity determines its surface and atmosphere stability, and through that, its habitability. In particular, viscosity and planet size should have large effects on volcanic outgassing and volatile recycling. This holds a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is to establish the relation between internal and external properties. The opportunity is to use current and future observations of atmospheres and surfaces of exoplanets and solar system planets to answer key questions posed by the field.

The ultimate goal of this project is to answer the question: What is the relation between a rocky planet’s internal properties and its observable surface and atmosphere properties over time?

You will be working 4 days at the TU Delft and 1 day at Anton Pannekoek Institut (API) at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). The Anton Pannekoek Institut (API) one of the leading academic astronomy institutes. Research is performed in nearly any field of modern astronomy and comprises both observational, computational and laboratory based astrophysics. Furthermore, close cooperation is advised with the other PEPSci-2 candidates.

Applicants are expected to have a university degree (MSc) in earth and/or planetary sciences, physics, applied mathematics, astronomy, or a related area, with a strong background in numerical modelling. Experience in working with observational data would be an asset. Applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English.

The successful candidate will be granted a temporary employment contract with the university for a period of 4 years (48 months), with an evaluation at the end of the first year. Within the contract period, the candidate is expected to produce a dissertation (PhD thesis) of sufficient quality for him/her to be awarded a PhD.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff, and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related, and research skills. Please visit www.tudelft.nl/phd for more information.

Technische Universiteit Delft

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

Faculty Aerospace Engineering

The faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world's largest faculties devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. In the Netherlands it is the only research and education institute directly related to the aerospace engineering sector. It covers the whole spectrum of aerospace engineering subjects. In aeronautics, the faculty covers subjects ranging from aerodynamics and flight propulsion to structures and materials and from control and simulation to air transport and operations. In astronautics, topics include astrodynamics, space missions and space systems engineering. The faculty has around 2,700 BSc and MSc students, 225 PhD candidates and 27 professors supported by scientific staff.
The faculty's mission is to be the best Aerospace Engineering faculty in the world, inspiring and educating students through modern education techniques and enabling staff to perform ambitious research of the highest quality for the future of aerospace. The working atmosphere at the faculty is friendly, open-minded and dedicated.

The Department of Space Engineering provides premier European education and research in space engineering. The Department consists of two research groups: Astrodynamics and Space Missions, and Space Systems Engineering. It runs an integrated research programme comprising miniaturisation, distributed space systems, mission analysis and orbits, space propulsion, ascent and re-entry, and planetary exploration. The Department operates a cleanroom facility for the design, integration, and verification of satellite assemblies up to entire satellites.
The Astrodynamics and Space Missions (A&S) section is dedicated to the modelling and analysis of satellite orbits, planetary missions and their many planetary applications. For more information, please visit www.as.lr.tudelft.nl.