SEA-Oferta Empleo/Beca

[SEA ASTRONOMIA]

Título:  Open call for a postdoctoral position on Galactic X-ray transients at the Institute of Space Sciences (Barcelona)

Centro: 

Tipo:  Postdoctoral

descripción: 

Applications are invited for one postdoctoral position for the project “Einstein Probe: a new look at the transient Universe in X-rays". The starting date is flexible in early 2025, depending on the candidate's availability. Individuals from traditionally underrepresented groups and underserved populations are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job description

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated researcher with an interest in Galactic compact objects and a commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative academic community. The successful candidate will join a team of experts specialising in neutron stars, pulsars and Galactic X-ray transients. The team is currently working on multi-wavelength observations, simulations of neutron star magnetic-field evolution, pulsar population synthesis and X-ray pulsar autonomous navigation systems. We have access to a proprietary GPU cluster as well as an institute CPU computing cluster.

The position is funded for one year, with the possibility of an extension of up to one year based on the continued availability of funding and performance. The salary scale is regulated by Spanish law and depends on seniority and personal circumstances. Additionally, the successful candidate will receive support for attending conferences and workshops.

Key responsibilities

• Perform timing and spectral analyses of X-ray data as well as multi-wavelength data analysis.
• Participate in multi-wavelength follow-up of transient events.
• Collaborate on the development of pipelines to search for variable sources in multi-wavelength data.
• Collaborate with team members on data interpretation and publication of results.

About the institute

The Institute of Space Sciences is part of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Catalan Institute for Space Studies (IEEC). It comprises several research groups spanning Astrophysics, Cosmology, Planetary Sciences, Gravitational Waves, and Nuclear Astrophysics. Additionally, it hosts laboratories dedicated to developing next-generation space and ground-based instruments. For more details, visit https://www.ice.csic.es/.

The institute is located in the Barcelona area, offering a vibrant atmosphere, rich cultural experiences, outstanding cuisine, excellent weather, beautiful beaches and proximity to the Pyrenees.

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Physics, Astrophysics, or a related field by the start date of the position.
• Experience with X-ray data analysis and familiarity with Galactic compact objects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a research team.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral.
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in astrophysics is preferred.

Application deadline 

January 10th, 2025. Late submissions may be considered until the position is filled.

How to apply

Please send the following documents via email to Dr. Francesco Coti Zelati (Email: cotiz...@ice.csic.es):

• A cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the position.
• Curriculum Vitae, including a list of publications.
• Contact information for at least two references who can provide a recommendation letter.

País:  España

Puede ver la noticia completa pulsando aquí

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[SEA ASTRONOMIA]

Título:  Ingeniero/a mecánico/a

Centro:  CEFCA

Tipo:  Otros/Others

descripción: 

El Centro de Estudios de Física del Cosmos de Aragón (CEFCA) ofrece una plaza de ingeniero/a mecánico/a.

El CEFCA es un Centro de investigación en Astrofísica y Cosmología situado en Teruel (España), a cargo del diseño, construcción y explotación científica del Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre (OAJ). El OAJ es una Infraestructura Científica y Técnica Singular (ICTS) astronómica española ubicada en la Sierra de Javalambre en Teruel, España concebida y construida para llevar a cabo grandes cartografiados astronómicos.

El OAJ consta principalmente de dos telescopios profesionales de gran campo de visión con calidad de imagen en todo el campo: el telescopio JST250, Javalambre Survey Telescope, un telescopio de 2.55m con un campo de visión 3 grados de diámetro, y el JAST80, Javalambre Auxiliary Survey Telescope, un telescopio de 80cm con un campo de visión de 2 grados de diámetro. Ambos telescopios están equipados con instrumentación científica de gran campo y última generación diseñados para llevar a cabo cartografiados fotométricos multi-filtro del cielo observable desde Javalambre. El OAJ dispone además de un conjunto de telescopios en el rango de 20-40cm destinados a tareas de monitoreo de la calidad astronómica del cielo nocturno. La ICTS se completa con el centro de datos UPAD (Unidad de Procesado y Archivo de Datos), ubicado en Teruel capital y encargado de recibir, procesar, almacenar y distribuir los datos del OAJ a la comunidad científica internacional.

La infraestructura del OAJ cuenta además con un conjunto de instalaciones y equipamientos generales necesarios para garantizar el óptimo funcionamiento y operación del observatorio en su conjunto. Las instalaciones del OAJ incluyen, entre otras, RGBT, generadores de energía, sistema de agua glicolada, sistema de aire comprimido, redes de voz y datos, dispositivos de control de la climatización, sistemas de control de accesos y de seguridad, servicio de agua para consumo humano, además de un conjunto de laboratorios, talleres, maquinaria, sala blanca, almacenes y demás zonas de trabajo y mantenimiento.

La persona seleccionada se integrará en el Departamento de Ingeniería del CEFCA/OAJ para trabajar como ingeniero/a mecánico/a responsabilizándose, entre otros, de garantizar a nivel mecánico la óptima operación de los equipamientos científicos y sistemas generales desplegados en el OAJ.

Funciones

• Diseño y ejecución de labores de mantenimiento mecánico (correctivo, preventivo y predictivo) de los sistemas e instalaciones del OAJ, en coordinación con el Site Manager y el equipo de ingeniería.
• Participar en tareas de análisis, integración, verificación y mantenimiento de sistemas mecánicos y opto-mecánicos de los telescopios e instrumentación científica.
• Generación y mantenimiento de documentación técnica: documentación de diseño, planos 2D-3D, manuales de uso y/o mantenimiento y procedimientos de trabajo.
• Gestión de compras, seguimiento de la fabricación, procesos de aceptación, calibración y mantenimiento funcional óptimo de sistemas mecánicos de CEFCA.
• Gestión logística y operativa del taller de mecánica del OAJ.
• Gestión/formación del personal asignado, incluyendo, entre otros, estudiantes realizando TFG, becarios, personal en prácticas, etc.
• Participación activa en las actividades previstas por el CEFCA siguiendo las directrices de coordinación, estandarización y planificación establecidas en el Departamento de Ingeniería de cara a mejorar la calidad del servicio del departamento.
• La persona seleccionada podrá desempeñar sus funciones, además de en el OAJ, en la sede central de CEFCA y en GALÁCTICA.

[SEA ASTRONOMIA]

Título:  One predoctoral position at CEFCA associated to the project XTREM

Centro: 

Tipo:  Predoctoral

descripción: 

The "Centro de Estudios de Física del Cosmos de Aragón" (CEFCA) invites applications for one predoctoral positions in Astrophysics. This action is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MCIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 / FEDER, UE) with grant PREP2023-001336 associated to the project LA NATURALEZA Y EVOLUCION COSMICA DE LAS GALAXIAS CON LINEA DE EMISION EXTREMA "XTREM" (PID2023-147386NB-I00).

CEFCA is a research institution located in Teruel, Spain, in charge of the operation, data management and scientific exploitation of the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre (OAJ), an astronomical facility specifically suited for carrying out large astronomical surveys with very large field-of-view (FoV) telescopes: the 2.5m Javalambre Survey Telescope (JST250; 3deg diameter FoV) and the 83cm Javalambre Auxiliary Survey Telescope (JAST80; 2deg diameter FoV).

JST250 is equipped with JPCam, a 1.2Gpix panoramic camera consisting of a mosaic of 14 CCDs of ~9.2k x 9.2k pix. The JPCam/JST250 system provides a 4.1 deg2 FoV and hosts a complete new set of 54 filters of 145A width, covering the whole optical spectral range. During the next years, JPCam/JST250 will be mostly devoted to carry out the Javalambre Physics of the accelerating Universe Astrophysical Survey (J-PAS), , which is producing photo-spectra of hundreds of millions of astronomical objects with a wide range of applications in Astrophysics and Cosmology. The J-PAS early data release, covering 12 deg2, was made public in November 2024. JAST80 is equipped with the panoramic camera T80Cam, hosting one CCD identical to those in JPCam. The T80Cam/JAST80 system provides an effective FoV of 2 deg2. Since 2016, it is primarily devoted to conduct the Javalambre Photometric Local Universe Survey (J-PLUS), whose third data release, amounting ~3200deg2 was public in December 2022.

The OAJ data is reduced, calibrated and released by the Unit for Data Processing and Archiving (UPAD) at CEFCA. In addition, the data from the main CEFCA surveys is validated and exploited at scientific level by the Research Area at CEFCA.

The PhD project will be pivotal in the XTREM long-term research program. Its main objectives are the scientific exploitation of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the wide-field spectrophotometric mapping of J-PAS to study the most extreme emission-line galaxies (EELGs) through cosmic time. XTREM will primarily study low-mass galaxies, compact in size, exhibiting high star formation rates, and easily identifiable in the extragalactic ecosystem due to their extreme emission lines and faint continuum emission, even in broad- and medium-band photometry. Recent work on high-redshift galaxies highlights the key role of EELGs as significant drivers of cosmic Hydrogen reionization and early chemical evolution at z > 6 while providing a brief but crucial glimpse into the evolution of galaxies during major phases of galaxy growth at later cosmic epochs. While EELGs are thus excellent laboratories for studying starburst-driven evolution of galaxies in quasi-pristine environments that are common in the early universe, they appear increasingly rarer at lower redshifts. Detailed studies and comparison of their main properties across cosmic time are now feasible with HST, JWST, Euclid, and big ground-based telescopes. However, a statistically complete census and characterization of the physical properties of EELGs are yet much needed. This is key for a better understanding of their significance on the cosmic star formation history and for selecting representative samples enabling detailed studies, for example on the physics of their interstellar medium and the role of starbursts and feedback in shaping the chemical enrichment and the production and escape of ionizing photons in such galaxies. With this in mind, XTREM aims at comprehensively and statistically studying the population of EELGs from redshift z = 0 to the reionization epoch (z > 6).

To achieve this, we plan to 1) build the most comprehensive samples available with optical spectro-photometry from the ground for nearby objects using JPAS and DESI, leveraging their extensive coverage and precise redshifts, and 2) select and study high-z EELGs from deep cosmological fields using photometric color criteria and spectroscopic observations with JWST/NIRSPec and NIRCam, and ground-based follow-ups (e.g. GTC, VLT, ALMA).

In this context, CEFCA is seeking one predoctoral researcher to conduct ambitious research centered on the following goals: a) the star formation history of EELGs; b) the internal (stellar formation, dynamics) and external processes that influence the initiation and propagation of star formation; c) the chemical abundances defining this population at all redshifts via main fundamental relations (e.g. mass-metallicity-SFR) and their interpretation in terms of chemical evolution models; d) the gas kinematics of these galaxies, whether they rotate like disks or are dominated by turbulence and outflows, and lastly e) the ISM physics to understand the escape of ionizing photons and how these processes might be applicable to reionization galaxies.

The predoc researcher will work under the supervision of Dr. Ricardo Amorín, PI of the project, and will engage in all the activities planned for XTREM, including frequent working visits to XTREM collaborators at IAA-CSIC, and training visits in international partners, e.g. INAF-Rome and STScI. The contract will be conducted at the CEFCA’s headquarters in Teruel. In addition to the salary and the needed equipment, funds to assist national and international meetings and workshops will be provided.

Additional information, including details about the neded documentation and the evaluation process can be found here:

https://www.cefca.es/cefca_en/reference_0127

[SEA ASTRONOMIA]

Título:  One Postdoctoral Contract Low Frequency Foregrounds 2024 (PS-2024-093)

Centro:  Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias

Tipo:  Postdoctoral

descripción: 

TheIAC (Tenerife) announces ONE postdoctoral contract to work on the project linked to the line of research “Anisotropies of the cosmic microwave background”, within the context of low-frequency foreground studies with CMB experiments in collaboration with the University of Milan. The contract is co-funded by the project “Enabling precision cosmology with the cosmic microwave background: QUIJOTE and other microwave experiments at the Teide Observatory” (PID2023-151567NB-I00), led by Prof. José Alberto Rubiño Martín, and the “Agreement between UniMi, INFN and the IAC on the installation and operation of the STRIP experiment” (P/301503). 

 

Research topics at the IAC include most areas of astrophysics: Solar Physics (FS), Exoplanetary System and Solar System (SEYSS), Stellar and Interstellar Physics (FEEI), The Milky Way and The Local Group (MWLG), Formation and Evolution of Galaxies (FYEG), and Cosmology and Astroparticles (CYA-CTA). All of these are supported by an ambitious instrumentation programme. In 2020, the IAC was granted by the Spanish Government the status of Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence, a prestigious recognition awarded for the third time to the IAC as a leading research institute in Spain. Further information about the IAC's research programme, its Observatories and the 10.4m GTC is available at the IAC's web page: https://www.iac.es/en

 

Tasks: The successful candidate will pursue research in the following fields:

 

• Scientific preparation of the CMB experiments focused on low-frequency observations in collaboration with the University of Milan: LSPE-STRIP in Tenerife and European Low-Frequency Survey Simons-Array (ELFS-SA) in Chile.
• Laboratory measurements, characterization and calibration of those two new low-frequency experiments. Development of specific data processing software. 
• Preparation of the commissioning phase and measurement campaigns of the new experiments. Preparation of joint analysis of the new experiments and QUIJOTE data. 
• Study of the contribution of polarized synchrotron and other foregrounds. Component separation techniques.
• Map-making for the new experiments (ELFS-SA, STRIP).

 

Particular attention will be given to applicants with experience in the field of observational cosmology and CMB research.

 

Requirements: The candidates must have an excellent research record, commensurate with the duration of their research career. They must be in possession of a Ph.D. degree in Astrophysics or Physics by the application deadline. Applications from candidates not in possession of a PhD will be rejected without further consideration. Candidates who prepared their thesis at the IAC have to present accreditations of complementary training at other research centers (this period should be either 1 continuous year or 18 accumulated months) by the application deadline. The IAC is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage, in particular, applications by women and by members of minorities.

 

Selection process: The selection process consists of two phases: merit assessment and interview.

 

1. First phase: merit assessment. The Selection Panel will verify and rate the merits documented by the applicants. The maximum score that can be awarded in this phase is 80 points, calculated as the sum of the scores obtained in each of the following two sections.

 

a) CV (maximum score: 60 points). Main criteria will be:

 

• Scientific and technical contributions to the field of research, especially those listed in the Science Citation Index, in relation to the duration of the candidate’s scientific career. Of special importance are the first-authored papers by the candidate.
• Appointments and stays (at the PhD or postdoctoral level) in prestigious research institutions. 
• Conference contributions, especially those leading to publications. 
• Other indicators of research activity and motivation (like invitations to lectures, organization of meetings, and teaching at University level).
• Any periods of inactivity for medical reasons, maternity/paternity leaves, elderly care, or due to training or professional experience in other fields will be taken into account. 

 

b)  Adequacy to the objectives of the contract (maximum score 20 points)

 

Adequacy of the candidate’s training and experience to this contract. 

 

• Expertise in instrument characterization, data reduction, data processing and/or data analysis of CMB experiments, or in general, of radio and/or sub-mm telescopes.
• Expertise with the analysis and management of large data sets. 
• Physics of Galactic foregrounds (thermal dust, synchrotron, spinning dust), including their polarization. Physics of the CMB polarization.
• Statistical tools for the analysis and exploitation of CMB data. Component separation techniques and cross-correlation tools.
• Standard CMB software packages (HEALPix). Expertise in coding up software for the analysis and exploitation of CMB data.

 

Form of accreditation for both sections: A report of the candidate's technical and research activity, accompanied by documentation accrediting the activities mentioned. 

 

2) Second phase: interview. (maximum score 20 points)

 

• Candidates who have obtained at least 50 points in the first phase will be invited to an interview. The interview may be given in either Spanish or English (as chosen by the candidate) and take place using internet communication software (Zoom) that allows voice and image transmission. 

 

• During the interview, the candidate will present, for a maximum of 10 minutes, his/her vision about the suitability of his/her professional profile to the position and the planned research activity if awarded the contract. The presentation may be followed by questions by the Selection Committee. 

 

Of the maximum 20 points to be awarded:

 

• Up to 10 points correspond to the suitability of the candidate’s profile to the position 
• Up to 10 points correspond to the candidate's vision for their future research activity.

 

To pass the second phase a minimum score of 15 points will be necessary.

 

To pass the selective process, a minimum of 65 points must be reached. If there is a draw in the score of two or more candidates, priorities will be set according to the Equality Plan of the IAC. 

 

Training: Candidates who have obtained their doctorate at the IAC must provide accreditation of a period of complementary training at other research centres. The required period is a full continuous year or 18 accumulated months (including periods of training during the doctoral studies stage and after obtaining the Ph.D. degree, but not periods prior to the predoctoral contract at the IAC).

 

Duration: The contract will be of indefinite duration. It is estimated that the date of commencement will be during the first months of 2025. The current funding horizon for the project ends on December 31, 2026.

 

Remuneration: The gross annual salary will be 38.371 Euros, with deductions of up to 20% for income tax (IRPF) and social security (dependent on the candidate's personal situation). The contract provides social security cover for spouse or de facto partner and children.

 

Extra financial support to start the contract: The present job offer includes financial support related to the incorporation of the selected candidate at the IAC. You may apply for up to 2500€ to cover any necessary - and duly documented - relocation costs when you take up your post at any IAC workplace. These costs must fall under the following categories and must have been incurred within a period of 14 days prior to the date of the commencement of your contract: (1) Plane or boat ticket from your former place residence to Tenerife (arranged by the IAC). The price of the ticket will be at the cheapest rate. (2) Accommodation costs for the two weeks (13 nights) also arranged by the IAC. (3) A per diem of 37.40€ x 14 days. 

 

No other expenses (bus, train, taxi, etc.) shall be reimbursed. This grant is considered as taxable income and the corresponding taxes (IRPF*), payable by physical persons, will be retained.

Those researchers who, having benefited from it in the past, have not passed 12 months since the last termination of their contract at the IAC, cannot be beneficiaries of this grant. In addition, those researchers whose place of residence, at the time of their application, is Tenerife will not be able to benefit either.

 

 

Applicants from outside the EU: Successful applicants who are not citizens of a member country of the European Union must keep in mind that, prior to signing the contract, they must obtain a residence and work permit (NIE card) from the Spanish immigration authorities.

 

Presentation of applications: Applications must be sent electronically via the web-based application system https://iac.sede.gob.es/procedimientos/portada/idp/390/language/en before the deadline set out in this advertisement. Alternatively, you may follow the instructions given in the corresponding official advertisement on our website. 

 

The following documentation must be sent:

 

• Online application including the name and position code (PS-2024-093)
• Copy of a valid passport or national identity card 
• Cover Letter
• CV, containing a list of publications (NO amendment allowed)
• Report on research activity and justification of suitability for the job -not exceeding 2 pages- (NO amendment allowed).
• Copy of your degree or corresponding stamped certificate, issued on behalf of the University where you have obtained the degree (in Spanish or English) (NO amendment allowed)
• Certificate of training in other centers (only for applicants that have completed their doctorate at the IAC).

 

You should also include the names and email addresses of two or three scientists familiar with your work.Applications submitted after the deadline will be automatically rejected, as will those unaccompanied by a Curriculum Vitae, Research Activity Report, copy of the Degree or the Scientific Project to be developed (in the case of PD Genérico calls), documents that cannot be corrected or added to after submission. Applications not accompanied by these documents will therefore definitely be excluded from the selection process. If any other required documents are omitted, they will have to be submitted within a period of five working days after publication of the provisional list of admitted and excluded candidates.

The IAC supports and adheres to the Recommendation of the European Commission 2005/251/EC of March 11th 2005 on “The European Charter for Researchers” and “The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers” adopted by the European Commission. Additionally, the IAC is aligned with the "Human Resources Strategy for Researchers" (HRS4R) fostered by the European Commission to support the implementation of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (C&C), having received recognition from the European Commission, with the award of the distinction "Excellence in Human Resources in Research".

País:  Spain