Postdoctoral Researcher in galaxy clusters and environment,
funded by the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan
2023-06-14 12:00
Ref0114 / Deadline: July 14th, 2023 (14:00 CEST)
Cerrado/ClosedOffer description
The "Centro de Estudios de Física del Cosmos de Aragón" (CEFCA) invites applications for one tenure track position of Researcher in Astrophysics in the detection and characterization of galaxy clusters and the impact of environment in galaxy properties. This action is funded by the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.
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 ~1.2Mpix panoramic camera consisting of a mosaic of 14 CCDs of ~9.2k x 9.2kpix. The JPCam/JST250 system provides a 4.1 deg2 FoV and hosts a complete new set of 54 filters of ~140A width, covering the whole optical spectral range plus two broader filters at the blue and red ends. 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 will produce photo-spectra of hundreds of millions of astronomical objects with a wide range of applications in Astrophysics and Cosmology.
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 is a Spanish ICTS (Unique Scientific and Technical Infrastructure). As such, CEFCA offers 20% of OAJ Open Time to competitive P.I. projects, including Legacy Surveys with the JAST80.
CEFCA is also a core institution of the ARRAKIHS consortium, the first F-class ESA space mission led by a Spanish institution. The mission ARRAKIHS (Analysis of Resolved Remnants of Accreted galaxies as a Key Instrument for Halo Surveys) aims to test our current understanding about dark matter by observing a hundred Milky Way-like galaxies reaching unprecedented low-surface brightness limit, sufficient to detect the faint tidal tails predicted by current galaxy formation theories.
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 knowledge gathered in the last decade has highlighted the great importance of building value added catalogues (VACs) in modern astrophysical surveys. As an intermediate step between photometric catalogues and breaking scientific results, the estimation of high-level astrophysical parameters ensures an optimal analysis and a well controlled data flow. Because of the transversal nature of the OAJ surveys, the VACs aim to cover a broad range of Astrophysical topics, like moving objects of the Solar System, atmospheric parameters and variability of Milky Way stars, star formation and stellar populations of spatially resolved and distant galaxies, Supernovae detection and characterization, photometric redshifts, clusters and the environment of galaxies, the properties of accreting supermassive black holes along cosmic time, etc.
In this context, CEFCA is seeking one postdoctoral researcher in Astrophysics with an excellent research record in the impact of the environment (groups, clusters, density field) in the properties of galaxies and/or in the detection and characterization of virialized structures using photometric data. The experience in massive data analysis will be an asset. The successful candidate will join the Research Area at CEFCA to have a leading role in the scientific exploitation of the present and future OAJ surveys. As such, the awarded candidate will become a full member of the J-PLUS and J-PAS collaborations.
Duties
As member of the Research Department at CEFCA, the successful candidate will have the following duties:
- Perform research in Astrophysics.
- Development of scientific codes to compute and validate VACs for the detection and characterization of the environment (groups, clusters, density field, etc.).
- Lead the studies about the impact of the environment in galaxy properties (star formation, stellar parameters, etc.).
- Implementation of own and third-party codes in the UPAD pipelines for VAC estimation.
- Scientific exploitation of the estimated VACs in the context of J-PLUS, J-PAS, ARRAKIHS, and other current / future OAJ surveys.
- Participation in the outreach activities carried out by CEFCA and GALÁCTICA.
Valuable Knowledge and Experience
- Excellent research record in the topic of galaxy clusters and/or galaxy properties as a function of environment.
- Experience in the detection and characterization (halo mass, membership, etc.) of different environments (groups, clusters, density field, etc.), with special value to the use of medium and narrow band photometry.
- Experience in the use and exploitation of large astronomical datasets.
- Experience in Python programming. Knowledge of programming in other languages like C, C++, or Fortran, will be an asset.
- Experience in the implementation of software in a structured environment, in particular in the use of control version software like Git.
Evaluation process
The committee, which will be constituted by several staff CEFCA members, will first evaluate the suitability of the candidates on the basis of their CVs, research statements and reference letters. The best candidates will move to a short list for a final interview.
Being aware of the impact of family leaves (maternity, paternity, adoption, or leaves to take care of family members with serious health conditions) on scientific careers, properly justified family leaves will be taken into consideration during the evaluation process.
Terms and conditions
Education: | PhD in Astronomy or related fields |
Languages: | Fluent in English |
Work Place: | CEFCA Headquarters, Teruel, Spain, with possible work stays at the OAJ |
Contract Duration: | 6 years tenure track position, according to the Contrato de acceso de personal investigador doctor (Art. 22, Ley 17/2022, de 5 de septiembre, por la que se modifica la Ley 14/2011, de 1 de junio, de la Ciencia, la Tecnología y la Innovación). The position is planned to turn into a permanent Researcher Staff position after a positive evaluation of the candidate before the end of the contract and not before its 2nd year |
Salary: | Depending on the level of experience of the candidate. |
Deadline: | July 14th, 2023 (14:00 CEST) |
Applications: | Applications shall include: 1) CV; 2) brief statement of research interests, with emphasis on J-PLUS, J-PAS, and the requested galaxy clusters/environment profile; and 3) two reference letters. To be submitted via email (Subject: "Ref.0114. Tenure Track clusters”) to jobs@cefca.es.
CEFCA is an equal opportunity employer committed to increase the diversity in its workplace. Applications of candidates from underrepresented social groups in our staff are welcome. CEFCA is committed in promoting the gender parity among its staff. Hence, applications from women are strongly welcome. |
Contrato financiado con el PRTR
El Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia del Gobierno traza la hoja de ruta para la modernización de la economía española, la recuperación del crecimiento económico y la creación de empleo, para la reconstrucción económica sólida, inclusiva y resiliente tras la crisis de la COVID, y para responder a los retos de la próxima década. Este Plan recibirá la financiación de los fondos Next Generation EU, entre ellos el Mecanismo de Recuperación y Resiliencia.
El componente 17 del Plan, denominado "Reforma institucional y fortalecimiento de las capacidades del sistema nacional de ciencia, tecnología e innovación", pretende reformar el Sistema Español de Ciencia, Tecnología y de Innovación (SECTI) para adecuarlo a los estándares internacionales y permitir el desarrollo de sus capacidades y recursos. Se propone utilizar los recursos públicos para realizar cambios rápidos que adapten y mejoren la eficacia, la coordinación y colaboración y transferencia entre los agentes del SECTI y la atracción del sector privado, con gran impacto en el corto plazo sobre la recuperación económica y social del país. El compromiso claro del país de incrementar y acelerar la inversión en I+D+I de forma sostenible a largo plazo, hasta alcanzar la media europea en 2027, requerirá cambios estructurales, estratégicos y de digitalización en el sistema para ser eficiente. En este componente se marca una orientación estratégica y coordinada que permitirá la inversión en áreas prioritarias de I+D+I y el incremento del volumen de ayudas públicas a la innovación empresarial, en particular a las PYMEs.
Concretamente, esta convocatoria está incluida en la inversión 12 denominada "Fortalecimiento de las capacidades, infraestructuras y equipamientos de los agentes del sistema Español de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (SECTI)" del componente 17 del plan Nacional de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia. Esta convocatoria contribuye a la consecución del objetivo CID 260 de la Decisión de Ejecución del Consejo de 13 de julio relativa a la aprobación de la evaluación del plan de recuperación y resiliencia de España, consistente en fortalecer las infraestructuras científicas y la capacidad del Sistema Español de Tecnología e Innovación Científica.
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