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Master Thesis
Curiculum Vitae
Personal Information
- Name: Sven Kiefer
- E-Mail: kiefersv.mail@gmail.com
- Nationality: Swiss
- Work address: Schmiedlstraße 6, 8042 Graz, Austria
Education
| 10/2020 – present | Ph.D. in Astrophysics,
KU Leuven, Belgium; OEAW & TU Graz, Austria
Marie Curie ITN: CHAMELEON Topic: "Cloud formation on 3D exoplanets" |
| 09/2018 – 07/2020 | MSc. Physics,
ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Focus: Astrophysics Master’s thesis: "Spectral characterization of companions around Young Suns", conducted at Leiden University, Netherlands Abschluss mit Auszeichnung ("with distinction") |
| 09/2015 – 09/2018 | BSc. Physics,
ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Thesis: "To Measure a Transit with a 0.5m Telescope" |
Skills
| Coding: | Advanced: Python, Fortran 77/90, LaTeX | Basics: C++, C#, Matlab, Java |
| Software: | Developed: Kincl, Claus | Co-developed: PynPoint, gcm_toolkit | Supercomputers: VSC, Pleiad |
| Languages: | Fluent: German, English | Intermediate: French (A2-B1), Dutch (A2) |
Publications (All Refereed)
| Summary: | 3 First Author | 2 Co-Author | Citations: 34 | H-index: 3 |
| 2024 |
[1] S. Kiefer, H. Lecoq-Molinos, Ch. Helling et al. - “Fully time-dependent cloud formation from a non-equilibrium gas-phase in exoplanetary atmospheres” – A&A Accepted, 21 pp. |
| 2023 | [2] S. Kiefer, D. Gobrecht, L. Decin, and Ch. Helling - “The effect of thermal non-equilibrium on kinetic nucleation” – A&A 671, A169, 13 pp. |
| 2022 |
[3] J. Tayar, (…), S. Kiefer et al. - “Spinning up the Surface: Evidence for Planetary Engulfment or Unexpected Angular Momentum Transport” – ApJ 940 23, 13 pp. [4] A. D. Schneider, (…), S. Kiefer et al. - “Exploring the deep atmospheres of HD 209458b and WASP-43b using a non-gray general circulation model” – A&A 664, A56, 20 pp. |
| 2021 | [5] S. Kiefer, A. J. Bohn, S. P. Quanz et al. - “Spectral and angular differential imaging with SPHERE/IFS” – A&A 652, A33, 10 pp. |
Observation Experience
| Mercator – HERMES | Service observations of the Mercator telescope on La Palma using the HERMES instrument.
Observation time: 17 days |
| 0.5m Telescope | "To Measure a Transit with a 0.5m Telescope"
Operating a professional telescope and developing algorithms for data analysis to detect exoplanets using the transit method |
| Amateur Telescopes | "The Life, Death and Remnants of Stars"
Observation planning, operating a telescope at 3000m and analysis of CCD data Telescopes used: C8 Celestron, C14 Celestron, Skywatcher Explorer 150 PDS |
Supervision of Students
Master Thesis
2021
Detection of Exoplanets using Spectral Observations with SPHERE/IFS – D. C. Petit; KU Leuven
Master Research Projects
2022
Size Dependent Advection of Clouds […] – L. A. Bala, I. Malfait, M. Saravanan; KU Leuven
2022
Simulation of Exoplanetary Clouds in Transit Light Curves – W. Elst; KU Leuven
2021
Greenhouse Model for Exoplanet Atmospheres – D. C. Petit; KU Leuven
2021
Greenhouse Effect of Clouds on Exoplanets – A. Gkogkos, L. Delbroek, J. Lardot; KU Leuven
Bachelor Thesis
2023
Trajectory of Cloud Particles in Exoplanet Atmospheres – R. Martinelli; TU Graz
2023
Optimizing Exoplanet Atmosphere Chemistry Models – D. Haberz; TU Graz
2022
Modeling the Composition of Exoplanets – K. Nagels, R. Annys; KU Leuven
2021
Greenhouse Gases in Exoplanets […] – J. Amand, R. Dillemans, N. Tribouillard; KU Leuven
2021
Investigating Exoplanets in SPHERE/IFS Data – J. Libens, M. Keppens; KU Leuven
2021
Cloud Opacity Calculation using Machine Learning – O. Willocx, R. Van de Bliek; KU Leuven
Conferences and Workshops
05/2023
Graz Vienna Exoplanet Science Meeting, Graz, Austria, invited talk.
04/2023
EGU General Meeting, Vienna, Austria, contributed PICO talk
03/2022
Cloud Academy 3, Les Houches, France, contributed talk
08/2022
From Stardust to Extra-Solar Planets, Inverness & Isle of Skye, UK, contributed talk
05/2022
Exoplanet 4, Las Vegas, USA, Poster
04/2022
Gravitational Waves and Exoplanets, Brussels, Belgium, Poster
Additional Practical Experience
09/2018 – 04/2019
Semester project: “Implementation and improvement of an MCP anode” – ETH Zurich
Operating and programming a detector for particle accelerators.
Awarded Funding
2023
SSAA Astronomy Outreach Projects, Switzerland
Awarded funding to organize a high school education event at the University of Bern.
2019
Mobility Scholarship, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Scholarship to conduct my Master thesis at Leiden University.
Extracurricular Activities
08/2023 – present
Member of SEADS, International
I work on projects like the theater Exomoon where participants reflect on living outside Earth.
Skills: Interdisciplinary research
01/2022 – present
Member of the Metafuturism Lab, International
A trans-disciplinary collective for meta-research with focus on the space sector.
Skills: Interdisciplinary collaboration, organisation of workshops
01/2020 – present
Founder and project manager of the MEME, Leiden University, Netherlands
The Massive Exoplanet MEME Exhibition is an annual arts exhibition with the goal to entertain and inspire (high school) students and scientists.
Skills: organising public outreach events incl. educational material
11/2018 – 09/2019
Payload team leader of ARIS, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
ARIS is a rocket development association that participated at the 2019 Spaceport America Cup, the largest sounding rocket competition, and won 2nd place.
Skills: forming, organising and leading a scientific team
01/2015 – 09/2016
Founder and project manager of TeamDerpalert
Formed a team of over 20 amateurs from various backgrounds to refine their skills by developing, designing, and programming a computer game.
Skills: creating and maintaining a platform for motivated amateurs
06/2013
Study week at ETH
Creating and evaluating a survey on energy supply
01/2012 – 04/2014
Participation at the Swiss Young Physicist Tournament (SYPT)
3x participation, 1x finalist
Conducted an experiment and defended it at the competition as well as critically analysed and reviewed the experiments of others.
09/2008 – 07/2009
Member of DU2
Committee to improve the welfare of high school students.
Worked together with students and teachers to find sources of discontent for students and implement solutions.
| 2021 | Detection of Exoplanets using Spectral Observations with SPHERE/IFS – D. C. Petit; KU Leuven |
| 2022 | Size Dependent Advection of Clouds […] – L. A. Bala, I. Malfait, M. Saravanan; KU Leuven |
| 2022 | Simulation of Exoplanetary Clouds in Transit Light Curves – W. Elst; KU Leuven |
| 2021 | Greenhouse Model for Exoplanet Atmospheres – D. C. Petit; KU Leuven |
| 2021 | Greenhouse Effect of Clouds on Exoplanets – A. Gkogkos, L. Delbroek, J. Lardot; KU Leuven |
Bachelor Thesis
2023
Trajectory of Cloud Particles in Exoplanet Atmospheres – R. Martinelli; TU Graz
2023
Optimizing Exoplanet Atmosphere Chemistry Models – D. Haberz; TU Graz
2022
Modeling the Composition of Exoplanets – K. Nagels, R. Annys; KU Leuven
2021
Greenhouse Gases in Exoplanets […] – J. Amand, R. Dillemans, N. Tribouillard; KU Leuven
2021
Investigating Exoplanets in SPHERE/IFS Data – J. Libens, M. Keppens; KU Leuven
2021
Cloud Opacity Calculation using Machine Learning – O. Willocx, R. Van de Bliek; KU Leuven
Conferences and Workshops
05/2023
Graz Vienna Exoplanet Science Meeting, Graz, Austria, invited talk.
04/2023
EGU General Meeting, Vienna, Austria, contributed PICO talk
03/2022
Cloud Academy 3, Les Houches, France, contributed talk
08/2022
From Stardust to Extra-Solar Planets, Inverness & Isle of Skye, UK, contributed talk
05/2022
Exoplanet 4, Las Vegas, USA, Poster
04/2022
Gravitational Waves and Exoplanets, Brussels, Belgium, Poster
Additional Practical Experience
09/2018 – 04/2019
Semester project: “Implementation and improvement of an MCP anode” – ETH Zurich
Operating and programming a detector for particle accelerators.
Awarded Funding
2023
SSAA Astronomy Outreach Projects, Switzerland
Awarded funding to organize a high school education event at the University of Bern.
2019
Mobility Scholarship, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Scholarship to conduct my Master thesis at Leiden University.
Extracurricular Activities
08/2023 – present
Member of SEADS, International
I work on projects like the theater Exomoon where participants reflect on living outside Earth.
Skills: Interdisciplinary research
01/2022 – present
Member of the Metafuturism Lab, International
A trans-disciplinary collective for meta-research with focus on the space sector.
Skills: Interdisciplinary collaboration, organisation of workshops
01/2020 – present
Founder and project manager of the MEME, Leiden University, Netherlands
The Massive Exoplanet MEME Exhibition is an annual arts exhibition with the goal to entertain and inspire (high school) students and scientists.
Skills: organising public outreach events incl. educational material
11/2018 – 09/2019
Payload team leader of ARIS, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
ARIS is a rocket development association that participated at the 2019 Spaceport America Cup, the largest sounding rocket competition, and won 2nd place.
Skills: forming, organising and leading a scientific team
01/2015 – 09/2016
Founder and project manager of TeamDerpalert
Formed a team of over 20 amateurs from various backgrounds to refine their skills by developing, designing, and programming a computer game.
Skills: creating and maintaining a platform for motivated amateurs
06/2013
Study week at ETH
Creating and evaluating a survey on energy supply
01/2012 – 04/2014
Participation at the Swiss Young Physicist Tournament (SYPT)
3x participation, 1x finalist
Conducted an experiment and defended it at the competition as well as critically analysed and reviewed the experiments of others.
09/2008 – 07/2009
Member of DU2
Committee to improve the welfare of high school students.
Worked together with students and teachers to find sources of discontent for students and implement solutions.
| 2023 | Trajectory of Cloud Particles in Exoplanet Atmospheres – R. Martinelli; TU Graz |
| 2023 | Optimizing Exoplanet Atmosphere Chemistry Models – D. Haberz; TU Graz |
| 2022 | Modeling the Composition of Exoplanets – K. Nagels, R. Annys; KU Leuven |
| 2021 | Greenhouse Gases in Exoplanets […] – J. Amand, R. Dillemans, N. Tribouillard; KU Leuven |
| 2021 | Investigating Exoplanets in SPHERE/IFS Data – J. Libens, M. Keppens; KU Leuven |
| 2021 | Cloud Opacity Calculation using Machine Learning – O. Willocx, R. Van de Bliek; KU Leuven |
| 05/2023 | Graz Vienna Exoplanet Science Meeting, Graz, Austria, invited talk. |
| 04/2023 | EGU General Meeting, Vienna, Austria, contributed PICO talk |
| 03/2022 | Cloud Academy 3, Les Houches, France, contributed talk |
| 08/2022 | From Stardust to Extra-Solar Planets, Inverness & Isle of Skye, UK, contributed talk |
| 05/2022 | Exoplanet 4, Las Vegas, USA, Poster |
| 04/2022 | Gravitational Waves and Exoplanets, Brussels, Belgium, Poster |
| 09/2018 – 04/2019 | Semester project: “Implementation and improvement of an MCP anode” – ETH Zurich
Operating and programming a detector for particle accelerators. |
| 2023 | SSAA Astronomy Outreach Projects, Switzerland
Awarded funding to organize a high school education event at the University of Bern. |
| 2019 | Mobility Scholarship, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Scholarship to conduct my Master thesis at Leiden University. |
| 08/2023 – present | Member of SEADS, International
I work on projects like the theater Exomoon where participants reflect on living outside Earth. Skills: Interdisciplinary research |
| 01/2022 – present | Member of the Metafuturism Lab, International
A trans-disciplinary collective for meta-research with focus on the space sector. Skills: Interdisciplinary collaboration, organisation of workshops |
| 01/2020 – present | Founder and project manager of the MEME, Leiden University, Netherlands
The Massive Exoplanet MEME Exhibition is an annual arts exhibition with the goal to entertain and inspire (high school) students and scientists. Skills: organising public outreach events incl. educational material |
| 11/2018 – 09/2019 | Payload team leader of ARIS, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
ARIS is a rocket development association that participated at the 2019 Spaceport America Cup, the largest sounding rocket competition, and won 2nd place. Skills: forming, organising and leading a scientific team |
| 01/2015 – 09/2016 | Founder and project manager of TeamDerpalert
Formed a team of over 20 amateurs from various backgrounds to refine their skills by developing, designing, and programming a computer game. Skills: creating and maintaining a platform for motivated amateurs |
| 06/2013 | Study week at ETH
Creating and evaluating a survey on energy supply |
| 01/2012 – 04/2014 | Participation at the Swiss Young Physicist Tournament (SYPT)
3x participation, 1x finalist Conducted an experiment and defended it at the competition as well as critically analysed and reviewed the experiments of others. |
| 09/2008 – 07/2009 | Member of DU2
Committee to improve the welfare of high school students. Worked together with students and teachers to find sources of discontent for students and implement solutions. |