Two postdoct positions (M/F/X) on high-contrast imaging of exoplanets

We are opening two postdoctoral positions in the framework of the ESCAPE ERC project (2022–2028, PI E. Choquet), which aims to develop advanced observing strategies and post-processing techniques for the direct detection of exoplanets in reflected light with future space telescopes.

The Roman Space Telescope is scheduled for launch on September 28th, 2026 and will begin scientific observations with the Coronagraph Instrument in February 2027. The Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille (LAM) is an international partner of the Roman Space Telescope and a member of the Coronagraph Instrument Community Participation Program (CPP).

The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) has been recommended by the US 2020 Decadal Survey as the next NASA flagship mission for the 2040s and is currently undergoing a technology maturation phase to refine its science goals, architecture, and key technologies.

We invite applications for two postdoctoral positions in high-contrast imaging of exoplanetary systems, focusing on two broad topics. Applicants may express interest in one or both.

• Image processing techniques and observations for the Roman mission: The postdoctoral researcher will primarily work on simulations and lab demonstrations of advanced observing strategies and post-processing methods for the Roman Coronagraph, notably the high-order dithering strategy developed within our team. The successful candidate will join the Coronagraph instrument CPP team and may contribute, depending on interest and expertise, to the hardware working group to help implement this strategy in the observing plan, and/or the observation planning working group to contribute to the planning and analysis of the first observations.
• Science program simulations for the HWO mission: The postdoctoral researcher will primarily develop simulations of exoplanetary system observations with the HWO coronagraphic instrument, in support of advanced observing strategies and image processing techniques adapted to this mission. A primary objective for the successful candidate will be to produce a simulated dataset representative of HWO coronagraphic observations of an exoplanetary system, and lead a data challenge for the community to test and optimize post-processing techniques and accurate identification of astrophysical source.