Astrophysicist, Astronomer

The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Göttingen is one of the world's leading research institutions in the fields of solar physics and planetary research, with approximately 300 employees. The interdisciplinary research focus lies in the investigation of the development, diversity, and dynamics of planets, moons, small bodies, the sun, and solar-like stars. MPS develops and operates scientific instruments for current and future space missions (e.g., ESA, NASA) and conducts cosmochemical laboratory investigations of meteorites as well as numerical modeling on state-of-the-art supercomputers.

We invite applications for two

Postdoctoral Positions (f/m/d) on SO/PHI data reduction and exploitation

The solar department at the MPS has leading participations in high-profile solar space missions, such as Solar Orbiter, Solar-C, MUSE. In particular, it is the PI institute of the Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager on Solar Orbiter (SO/PHI). In addition, the Institute leads the Sunrise stratospheric solar observatory, is involved in ground-based observational programs and provides outstanding opportunities for theoretical and numerical work. The research fields include the solar magnetic field, physics of the photosphere, chromosphere, transition region and corona, solar activity, as well as solar variability and its influence on climate. Solar flares are expected to become a new focus of the research at the department.

Your Tasks

• Support SO/PHI scientific operations
• Contribute to the calibration of the obtained data
• Pursue research related to the current research topics of the department, based on the analysis of SO/PHI data

Your Qualification

• PhD (or soon to be expected PhD) in solar physics or a closely related field
• Relevant experience in solar instrumentation, observations, data analysis, or theory/numerical modeling
• An outstanding research record

Our Offer

• Comprehensive onboarding, professional development and further training opportunities
• Diverse and varied tasks in an international work environment
• Remuneration according to TVöDBund, based on qualifications and experience, annual bonus and additional pension scheme (VBL)
• 30 days of vacation plus 4 additional days off
• Full-time and part-time employment; flexible working time and possibility of mobile work
• Cooperation with local bilingual Montessori child care center
• Good public transport connection
• Corporate health management

Additional Information

• The positions will become available at the beginning of 2027 and are initially limited to two years, with the possibility of an extension, depending on the availability of funding.
• The position is rated in acccordance to the public service act (TVöD-Bund) as EG 13
• Deadline for applications is October, 15 2026

We look forward to receiving your informative application documents (CV, publication list, a statement of research interests (max. 2 pages) and the names of three scientists willing to provide reference letters). Please submit these via the digital application portal (https://www.mps.mpg.de/career/jobs). If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Prof. Dr. Sami K. Solanki (solanki@mps.mpg.de).

The Max Planck Society endeavours to achieve gender equality and diversity. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals.

Our job advertisements are always directed at all people capable of working, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation, disability, religion and ideology, etc. Applicants are exclusively selected based on their qualifications. Errors in the given information and spelling reserved.