The DLR Institute of Planetary Research in Berlin-Adlershof explores the origin, evolution and development of planets, their moons, asteroids and comets of our Solar System and other planetary systems. Using spacecraft and earth-based remote sensing techniques, laboratory experiments, in-situ investigations and numerical modelling, the institute is well established within the national and international research community and industry.

Recent space missions including the Rosetta and Dawn missions gathered abundant high resolution image and spectral data of asteroids and comets. These data provide valuable information on the morphologies and composition related to sublimation and out-gassing of volatiles. The active processes and distribution of ices on asteroids and comets are of particular interest to understand the distribution of water and other volatiles in our Solar System.

The DLR junior research group conducts an interdisciplinary approach including cartographic preparations, geologic analysis of remote sensing data of space missions as well as experimental and numerical simulations to analyse various surface features related to volatile content on asteroids and comets.

We are looking for a highly motivated student to support our group. The goal of the PhD work is the adaptation of a numerical code to simulate dynamical processes on asteroid and comet surfaces and the validation of the simulation by means of laboratory experiments and space mission data.

The tasks include:
- Introduction to the numerical simulation of the dynamics of granular media
- Adaptation of existing software to environmental conditions on asteroids and comets
- Implementation of laboratory experiments concerning dynamical processes on asteroids and comets (e.g. mass transport, sublimation)
- Validation of the numerical and experimental results with mission data
- Publications of results and presentations at international conferences
- Interested candidates should send a letter of motivation summarizing their qualifications, research interests and objectives, a CV and grade transcripts/diplomas by October 3, 2017.

More info: http://www.dlr.de/dlr/jobs/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-10596/1003_read-24160/