Postdoctoral Researcher in Radio Stars and Exoplanets

ASTRON, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, invites applications for a three-year postdoctoral research position to work with Dr Joseph Callingham on the Dutch Research Council (NWO) Vidi project Radio Stars and Exoplanets: Creating Space Weather Reports for Distant Worlds.

A central question in exoplanet science is whether planets around other stars experience environments capable of supporting and retaining atmospheres. Stellar magnetic fields, coronal mass ejections and other forms of space weather can strongly influence these environments. Radio observations provide a powerful and relatively unexplored way to directly probe these phenomena.

The project aims to use radio emission from nearby stars and exoplanetary systems to understand stellar space weather, magnetic activity and star–planet interactions, ultimately helping determine the environments experienced by nearby exoplanets.

The position

The candidate will have substantial freedom to shape their research according to their expertise. Possible research directions include:

• detecting and characterising stellar and exoplanetary radio emission using LOFAR, MeerKAT and other radio facilities;

• modelling stellar magnetospheres, coherent radio emission, coronal mass ejections and/or magnetic star–planet interactions (SPI);

• using Zeeman–Doppler Imaging (ZDI) or other spectropolarimetric measurements to determine stellar magnetic-field geometries and connect them to radio emission and space weather.

• Determining the presence of exoplanets via traditional exoplanet detection methods (radial velocity, transits etc) of radio detected systems.

We do not expect candidates to have expertise in all of these areas. We particularly encourage applications from researchers with a strong background in radio astronomy, stellar/SPI magnetospheric modelling, exoplanet science, stellar activity, or ZDI/stellar magnetism measurements.

The postdoctoral researcher will join a growing research programme on radio stars, exoplanets and stellar space weather spanning ASTRON and the Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy at the University of Amsterdam. The project is closely connected to the ERC-funded Epaphus programme and provides opportunities to collaborate with an international network of researchers working across radio astronomy, stellar physics and exoplanet science.

ASTRON operates LOFAR and the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope, participates in the European VLBI Network, and is closely involved in the development and commissioning of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). Therefore, the candidate will have access to world leading radio astronomy instruments in this position.

Applicants should have:

• a PhD in astronomy, astrophysics, physics or a related discipline by the start of the position;

• research experience in one of: radio astronomy; stellar activity or magnetism; star–planet interaction or space weather modelling; exoplanet science; radio transient science; or ZDI/spectropolarimetry;

• a demonstrated ability to conduct and publish independent research;

• the ability to work effectively within an international collaborative team;

• good written and spoken English.

Experience with low-frequency radio astronomy, polarimetry, stellar magnetic fields modelling, coherent radio emission, or magnetospheric/MHD modelling would be advantageous but is not required.

The candidate will be expected to lead scientific projects, publish and present their results, collaborate with other members of the research group, and contribute to the supervision of students. There will also be scope to pursue complementary independent research, particularly in transient science.

What we offer

The position is in total for three years and will be based primarily at ASTRON in Dwingeloo, the Netherlands (with a guest appointment at the University of Amsterdam). The start date is negotiable in 2027.

•  A full-time (38 hours/week) temporary appointment in the service of the Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) for the duration of three years (a standard 2+1 year Dutch contract). There is a possibility of a fourth year depending on how the funding situation evolves over the next 2 years.

• A gross monthly salary, on a full-time basis, in the range of € 4.552,- to € 5.758,-  depending on relevant experience;

• A holiday allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.33% of the gross annual salary;

•  A solid pension scheme (ABP);

•  42 vacation days per year on a full-time basis;

• generous annual leave and flexible working arrangements;

• relocation support;

• substantial support for conference travel and collaborative research visits;

• access to ASTRON computing resources and radio-astronomy expertise.

ASTRON is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse working environment. We particularly encourage applications from groups traditionally underrepresented in astronomy.

Application

Please apply by 6 November 2026, 23:59 CET.

Applications should include:

1. a cover letter of no more than one page describing your motivation and fit for the position;

2. a recent CV that includes a list of publications. Applicants are requested to highlight two key papers that they judge as their most important contributions to the literature, and should justify their choice (with a limit of half a page for such information).;

3. a research statement that outlines the your research background (half-page) and the research you plan to undertake if offered this position (not exceeding three pages in total, excluding references);

4. the names and contact details (emails and telephone numbers) of three referees.

Reference letters will only be requested for candidates progressing in the selection process.

Online interviews are expected to take place in mid to late November 2026, with potential in person interviews at ASTRON in January 2027. In accordance with AAS recommendations for the standard postdoctoral hiring cycle, candidates receiving an offer will not be required to respond before 15 February 2027.

For scientific questions about the position, please contact Dr J. R. Callingham (callingham@astron.nl). For questions regarding employment conditions or the application procedure, please contact ASTRON HR (hrm@astron.nl).

More information about ASTRON can be found at www.astron.nl and www.werkenbijastron.nl.