2024-02-13 12:00

Ref0121 / Deadline: Mach 15th, 2024 (14:00 CEST)

Cerrado/Closed

Offer description

The "Centro de Estudios de Física del Cosmos de Aragón" (CEFCA) invites applications for a postdoctoral position as part of the "Consolidación Investigadora 2023" project, ID CNS2023-145339: "Baryonic feedback in massive and dwarf galaxies (BARMASS)". The position is available immediately for a contract duration of up to 2 years, concluding no later than March 30, 2026.

The appointed candidate will investigate the impact of winds launched by active galactic nuclei (AGN) on the chemical evolution of their host galaxies. Such winds can disperse heavy elements both within and around galaxies, playing a significant role in their future evolution. For this project, the applicant will employ IFU spectroscopy observations from JWST/MIRI in the mid-IR and VLT/MUSE in the optical range, focusing on a sample of 10 nearby active galaxies. The BARMASS postdoc will measure the mass, energy, and metal content in the detected AGN winds, which will then be compared with predictions from AGN feedback models. Additionally, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to engage in other BARMASS project tasks, specifically those related to the scientific exploitation of the emission line galaxy catalogue in J-PLUS and J-PAS surveys, as well as the study of the AGN jet duty cycle based on a sample of J-PLUS and J-PAS galaxies with counterparts in LOFAR and other radio surveys.

CEFCA in a nutshell

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 PI projects, including Legacy Surveys with the JAST80. In addition, CEFCA is a leading node of the Ground Segment OU-EXT of the ESA Euclid mission. JPCam@JST250 will conduct the Javalambre-Euclid Deep Imaging Survey in the g-band (JEDIS-g) in the next years.

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 are reduced, calibrated, and released by the Data Processing and Archiving Department (DPAD) at CEFCA. In addition, the data from the main CEFCA surveys like J-PAS and J-PLUS are validated and exploited at a scientific level by the members of the Research Area at CEFCA.

Valuable Knowledge and Experience

• Experience in the analysis of IFU data; previous experience with JWST/MIRI or VLT/MUSE observations will be considered an asset.
• Experience in the determination of chemical abundances in gaseous nebulae.

Evaluation process

The committee, comprising several CEFCA members, will initially assess candidates based on their CVs, research statements, and reference letters. The top candidates will then be shortlisted for a final interview.

Recognising the impact of family leaves on scientific careers, including maternity, paternity, adoption, or leaves to care for family members with serious health conditions, properly justified family leaves will be considered during the evaluation process.

Terms and conditions

Education:	Applicants should hold a PhD in Physics/Astronomy or equivalent.
Languages:	Fluent in English
Work Place:	CEFCA Headquarters, Teruel, Spain
Contract Duration:	The appointment is for up to 2 years, concluding no later than March 30, 2026.
Salary:	Depending on the level of experience of the candidate.
Deadline:	March 15th, 2024 (14:00 CEST)
Applications:	In order to be considered, the applications should include:: 1) a CV; 2) a brief research statement related to the topic of this project; and 3) a minimum of two reference letters, to be submitted via email (Subject: "Ref.0121. Postdoc BARMASS”) to jobs@cefca.es by the aforementioned deadline. The letters should be directly submitted to the email address by the referees. CEFCA values diversity and is dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace environment. We invite candidates from underrepresented social groups to apply. CEFCA is committed to advancing gender equality among its personnel. Therefore, applications from women are highly encouraged.