[Geodynamics] PhD position in Planetary Science at the University of Geneva & ETH Zurich

[Tackley Paul]

PhD Position in Planetary Science, NCCR Genesis, University of Geneva, ETH Zürich, Switzerland


One Genesis-funded 4-year PhD position is currently available at the University of Geneva Department of Astronomy and CVU (Life in the Universe Center), in strong collaboration with ETH Zürich, starting on September 1st 2026. The successful candidate will perform simulations of rocky planets’ interior-atmosphere interactions. They will be fully integrated within the Exoplanet Team at the Observatory of Geneva and will also be integrated in Prof. P. Tackley’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics group at ETH Zürich.


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PhD position: Coupled interior-atmosphere evolution of temperate rocky planets


Applications are invited for a research assistant (PhD student) position at the University of Geneva (Geneva Observatory) working with Prof. Emeline Bolmont on the climate modeling of temperate/hot rocky planets and with Prof. Paul Tackley on related modeling of planetary interiors. The successful applicant is expected to couple a global climate model to a solid convection code, to investigate the impact of degassing on the atmosphere on long timescales. The successful applicant will learn, use and eventually couple two complementary complex codes. First, the Generic-Planetary Climate Model (G-PCM<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/_XscCD1vlpTnZzPOpfWfXcj-prR?domain=lmdz-forge.lmd.jussieu.fr>), a 3D Global Climate Model, which computes the atmospheric properties of a planet on short timescales. Second, the solid mantle convection code StagYY (Tackley, 2008), which computes the geodynamical evolution of a planet, accounting for degassing (and possibly recycling) of multiple species on longer timescales. The coupling will be done asynchronously as is done for the Mars Planetary Climate Model (Mars-PEM<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/Tg9KCE8wmrtgj2P6yCwhlc7sriM?domain=lmdz-forge.lmd.jussieu.fr>) to account for the widely different timescales of both components. This PhD will bring an important modeling effort for the understanding of the long term evolution of temperate rocky planets.


Setting: This PhD is funded by the newly started National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Genesis<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/MpfrCGv0oyC09RgLncpiDcBQBC2?domain=nccr-genesis.ch>, which is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). Genesis is a vibrant new community of researchers from various disciplines (geophysics, chemistry, biology, climate science…) and various Swiss institutions (Universities of Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Neuchâtel, the Università della Svizzera italiana, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, the EPFL, ETHZ and the Paul Scherrer Institute) interested in the origin of life on Earth and the search for life elsewhere. The successful applicant will be also immersed in a community of other PhD students and postdoctoral researchers working on complementary aspects to this project. In practice the student will be based in the Geneva Observatory, which offers one of the most vibrant environments worldwide for exoplanet research. The exoplanet team<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/seurCJyBrGf1ovXQOULsMcyXp9g?domain=unige.ch> counts over 60 members. Research topics include exoplanet detection and characterisation (atmospheres, interiors), planetary system dynamics, and instrumentation. The successful applicant will also be part of the Life in the Universe Center in Geneva (CVU<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/nwNvCK1DvKTBkNJrKCptXc5MUnG?domain=unige.ch>), which also brings together scientists from various disciplines, but locally.

Additionally, and thanks to Genesis, the successful applicant will travel regularly to ETH Zürich to work with Prof. Paul Tackley on the StagYY code.


The University of Geneva is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in its workplace.


Start date: September 2026.


Duration: This is a 4-year position.


Salary: ~55,000 CHF/year gross salary, according to rules of the University and Canton of Geneva.


Deadline: Review of applications will begin on 15th June 2026 and continue until the position is filled.


Requirements: An MSc degree in astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, geophysics or related fields (completed or almost completed). Previous experience in either a 3D climate model or a solid convection code will be deeply appreciated, given the complex nature of these tools. Good and solid skills in programming is a must as the project requires some complex developments.

The successful applicant will be immersed in a team work environment, therefore good team playing abilities and focus will be praised soft skills.

The following application materials should be encapsulated within a single pdf and sent to emeline.bolmont at unige.ch<mailto:emeline.bolmont at unige.ch> and ptackley at ethz.ch<mailto:ptackley at ethz.ch>.

  *   A curriculum vitae (2 pages).

  *   Details of your MSc (courses and grades, thesis topic etc.)

  *   A cover letter (1 page) explaining their motivation and how their skills and experience (programming, climate modeling and/or interior modeling) would be valuable for the project and listing the names of 2 references/referees

Up to two letters of recommendation should be sent directly to Prof. Bolmont and Prof. Tackley by the referees themselves.


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