The Solar System Department of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC, Granada, Spain) is searching for a postdoctoral research scientist to work on the simulation of the upper atmosphere (thermosphere/ionosphere) of ancient Mars. The candidate will work in the adaptation of an state-of-the-art Global Climate Model in order to simulate the behavior of the upper atmosphere under different orbital configurations typical of past Mars conditions. Special focus will be put on simulating the effects of the orbital configuration on the escape of Hydrogen from the atmosphere, and on the implications for the climate history of the planet.

The successful candidate will work in collaboration with Dr. Francisco González-Galindo and other members of the Group of Atmospheres of the Terrestrial Planets (GAPT, http://gapt.iaa.es) of the IAA-CSIC. The GAPT group is actively involved in the Mars Express and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter missions, and participates in the development of the LMD Mars Global Climate Model. GAPT group members are also involved in the study of the terrestrial upper atmosphere and of exoplanetary atmospheres. The Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (https://www.iaa.csic.es) is a leading research center in Astronomy of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), and owns the distinction "Center of Excellence in Research" of the Spanish Severo Ochoa Program. Cooperation with researchers from the LMD and LATMOS laboratories in Paris (https://www.lmd.jussieu.fr/ and  https://www.latmos.ipsl.fr/) is also to be expected. The contract will finish in October 2022.

To apply please send 1 single PDF file with a cover letter indicating motivation and a CV with publication record and a list of up to three professional references to:
Francisco Gonzalez-Galindo
IAA/CSIC, Granada, Spain
ggalindo@iaa.es