2025-08-06 16:00

Ref0134 / Deadline: September 5th, 2025 (14:00 CEST)

Revisión / Review

Offer description

The "Centro de Estudios de Física del Cosmos de Aragón" (CEFCA) invites applications for a permanent position of Scientific Researcher in emission line physics from galaxies and AGNs. The successful candidate will lead the estimation and scientific exploitation of emission line catalogs derived from CEFCA’s multi-filter surveys and will conduct cutting-edge research in the physics of emission-line extragalactic objects.

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; 3 deg diameter FoV) and the 83cm Javalambre Auxiliary Survey Telescope (JAST80; 2 deg 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 3.6 deg² FoV and hosts a set of 54 filters of ~14.5 nm width, covering the whole optical spectral range plus two broader filters at the blue and red ends. JPCam/JST250 is 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 was made public in November 2024 and covers 12 deg².

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 conducting 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 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 Department for Data Processing and Archiving (DPAD) 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.

In this context, CEFCA is seeking one postdoctoral researcher in Astrophysics with an excellent research record in the study of emission line physics from extragalactic objects (galaxies and/or AGNs). Experience in massive data analysis, estimation of emission line catalogs, and with narrow-band photometric surveys will be an asset. The successful candidate will join the Research Area at CEFCA as a staff member 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 emission lines in galaxies and AGNs.
• Lead the studies about emission-line extragalactic objects at CEFCA.
• Apply for funding at regional, national, and European level.
• Scientific exploitation of the estimated VACs in the context of current / future OAJ surveys.
• Participation in the outreach activities carried out by CEFCA.

Evaluation process

The selection committee, composed of several CEFCA staff members, will begin by evaluating the candidates based on their CVs, research statements, and reference letters. The most competitive applicants will be shortlisted for a final interview. The first evaluation phase will carry a maximum of 80 points:

• Excellence of the research record in the field of emission line physics in extragalactic objects.
• Experience in the estimation and management of emission line value-added catalogs (VACs).
• Quality of the submitted research statement, relevance to OAJ projects, suitability for the position, and strength of reference letters.
• Proven ability to secure funding through competitive grant calls.
• Experience in large-scale data analysis and narrow-band, multi-filter photometry.

The interview phase will be worth up to 20 points. The position will be offered to the highest-scoring candidate on the shortlist.

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:	Permanent position
Salary:	Annual base salary (1,650 hours): €48,038.12 Salary supplements: Three-year seniority increments, in accordance with the CEFCA Collective Agreement.
Deadline:	September 5th, 2025 (14:00 CEST)
Applications:	Applications shall include: 1) CV; 2) Statement of research interests, with emphasis on J-PLUS, J-PAS, and the requested emission-line physics profile (5 pages max.); and 3) two reference letters. To be submitted via email (Subject: "Ref.0134. Scientific Researcher in emission line physics”) to jobs@cefca.es. The reference letters must be directly submitted by the reference persons to the same mail address. Before submitting your application, you should carefully read the "basic information on the protection of personal data" below. Sending your application to the email jobs@cefca.es will be your confirmation that you understand the use we will make of your personal data and that you accept our privacy policy.
Work-life balance measures:	Pursuant to the current Collective Agreement of CEFCA: a 37.5-hour workweek with flexible working hours beyond the established core time; up to 20% remote work; and leave and absence entitlements in accordance with applicable regulations. 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 to promoting gender parity among its staff. Hence, applications from women are strongly welcome.