Job opportunities

Researcher in Training for the Development of solar and stellar variability modelling and correction tools to detect exo-Earths

OF_IEEC_163_2024
Publication date
2024-08-01
Deadline
2024-09-15

The Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) was established in February 1996 as a private non-profit foundation (NPO) to promote R&D in the space field in Catalonia. The IEEC is a research institute that studies all areas of knowledge and technologies applied to the space sector and space sciences, including astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, Earth observation, navigation and space engineering. Its mission is to push the frontiers of space research from the scientific and technological fields for the maximum benefit of society. It should also be noted that the Foundation is attached to the Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Government) and forms part of its institutional public sector, since the Generalitat has a majority in the IEEC Board of Trustees.

Introduction

The object of this call is the selection process of a candidate to occupy a position of Researcher in Training assigned to the Research Area of ​​the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia.

Description of position

  • Position: 1.Researcher in Training for the Development of solar and stellar variability modelling and correction tools to detect exo-Earths.
  • Professional group: Group III. Scientific Staff
  • Professional category: Researcher in Training
  • Woking hours: 37.5 hours/week
  • Working location: Institute of Space Sciences, Carrer de Can Magrans S/N, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Spain

Functions

The pre-doctoral contract is aimed at simultaneously performing, on the one hand, research tasks in a specific and innovative project, and on the other hand, the set of activities, integral to the doctoral program, leading to the acquisition of the skills and abilities necessary to obtain the official university Doctoral degree, without being required to carry out any other activity that distorts the research and training purpose of the contract.

This contract is part of the research carried out at the IEEC in the framework of the SPOTLESS ERC Advanced Grant aiming at the characterization of stellar variability to detect and characterize exo-Earths using instruments in ground- and space-based observatories.

The selected person will be responsible for the following functions:

  • Participation in the development of the physical model of the StarSim code for the case of the Sun.
  • Modelling solar data of all types (imagery, photometry, precision spectroscopy) in order to improve the model and make a fine-tuning process.
  • Design, testing and implementation of numerical techniques, in particular using machine learning algorithms, for the mitigation of activity effects in radial velocity data.
  • Preparation of observational proposals to study specific cases. Coordination of the observational campaigns and reduction and analysis of the data obtained.
  • Preparation of scientific articles with research results for specialized journals, and presentation at relevant national and international conferences.

Participation requirements and selection criteria

The following criteria will be assessed during the selection process:

  • Training:

           - Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Mathematics, or equivalent.

            - Master's degree in Astronomy or equivalent.

  • Once the selection process has been completed, enrolment in a doctoral program at one of the universities around the IEEC will be an essential requirement to formalize the contract.­

During the selection process, the following merits will be assessed:

 

  • Academic record of undergraduate and master's studies.
  • Previous experience in research activities. It will be valued if it is related to the tasks to be developed.
  • Knowledge in astrophysics and data analysis.
  • Ability to communicate in English.

Contact and deadline

Interested persons who meet the established requirements can send the following documents:

  • Motivation letter.
  • CV.
  • Two letters of reference.
  • Academic record, both from undergraduate and master's studies.

 

All documents shall be sent in PDF format to the e-mail address: RecursosHumans@ieec.cat indicating the text "Surname and Name – OF_IEEC_163_2024" in the subject line of the e-mail. Letters of reference can be sent to the same e-mail address by the referees, with the name of the person to whom it refers clearly indicated in the subject line.

The reception of applications ends on

15/09/2024
Applications that do not meet the requirements included in the cases provided for, or those which are not processed in accordance with the established procedure will not be considered.

Selection procedure

Initially, a verification of the participation requirements will be carried out and a first selection of candidates will be made based on the documentation provided. Subsequently, and if deemed necessary, preselected candidates may be invited to a personal interview to expand the information detailed in the curriculum vitae and assess aspects related to professional skills.

 

Interested persons shall have the originals of the certificates demonstrating the training and work experience mentioned in the CV and shall submit them if required.

In accordance with current regulations on the protection of personal data, we inform you that the personal data contained in your communication relating to this selection procedure will be incorporated into the database of which the IEEC is responsible. The purpose of this treatment is to manage your participation and, where appropriate, the selection of your professional profile in the recruitment processes carried out by the IEEC. Therefore, we will use your data to carry out the contracting processes, to carry out the corresponding interviews, to assess compliance with the requirements for the processes, as well as those actions necessary for the execution of the process and to make effective the recruitment of staff at the IEEC. The basis for the legitimacy of this treatment is your consent, which may be revoked at any time (which means that you will not be able to participate in the selection process in question). The data will be retained during the selection procedure. If you provide us with the data or resume but do not participate in any open recruitment process, do not specify any or have participated in a procedure and have not been selected as a candidate, the IEEC will keep the data for a maximum period of two years., from the date of receipt of the communication, in order to manage your potential participation if any appropriate procedure is opened, eg on your profile. Once this period has elapsed, if you have not been selected and incorporated into the staff of the entity, the IEEC will permanently cancel your personal data. Your personal data will not be transferred to any third party for any purpose, except in cases where it is required by law or by a competent authority. You may exercise, in accordance with the requirements established in current regulations, the rights of access, rectification, deletion, opposition and limitation by sending your request in writing to the registered office of the IEEC (C / Gran Capità , 2-4, desp.201, 08034 Barcelona) or by e-mail: ieec@ieec.cat. The applicant must be duly identified in order to process the application. You also have the right to file a complaint with the Catalan Data Protection Authority by writing to C / Rosselló, 214, esc. A, 1r 1a, 08008 Barcelona or at its electronic headquarters (https://seu.apd.cat). You expressly authorize and consent to the processing of your personal data for the purposes mentioned and in accordance with the conditions indicated above.