Ref: IA2015-05-BI

The Centro de Investigação em Astronomia/Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto (CAUP) opens a call for 1 research fellowship (Bolsa de Investigação – Mestre) in the field of instrumentation / mechanical engineering at the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA).

The position is offered in the context of Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço - FIS/04434 with financial support provided by the FCT/MEC through national funds and co-funded by FEDER under the PT2020 agreement, when applicable.

The Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA) assembles more than two-thirds of all active researchers working in Space Sciences in Portugal, and is responsible for an even greater fraction of the national productivity in international ISI journals in this area. The research and development effort at the IA includes most of the topics at the forefront of research in Astrophysics and Space Sciences, complemented by work on instrumentation and systems with potential use in Astronomy and Astrophysics.

The positions, with a maximum duration of 3 years, must be renewed every year based on outcome of the work done. The call is open in the fields of mechanical engineering, and the fellowships are to be started from the 1st of September 2015. The fellowship renewal is pending on a favorable interim evaluation of the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço - FIS/04434.

The fellowship contract will comply with the 'Regulamento de Bolsas e Investigação da Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia' existing and 'Lei nº 40/2004, de 18 de Agosto (Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação Científica)'. According to the rules of the FCT, the monthly allowance will be ¤980 (tax free) and will be paid monthly by bank transfer (preferred). Funds for traveling (conferences, collaborations, observing missions) are also available. The work plan is to be carried out in IA, either in the Porto or Lisbon offices, under the supervision (or co-supervision) of an IA researcher.

Research work plan
The candidate is expected to be involved in the development of astronomical instrumentation projects for ESO and ESA, including ESO’s ESPRESSO and MOONS spectrographs, PLATO (ESA) mission, as well as future instrumentation for the E-ELT (ESO). The successful candidates are expected to pursue engineering work and research on topics relevant to the long-term strategy of IA in the Instrumentation Group, including topics on:

• finite element modeling for structural analysis;
• mechanical project and respective 3D modeling software;
• production of mechanical drawings at manufacturing level (ISO standards);

Application
The application, to be submitted using the web form below, should include the following information:

• Cover letter with a brief description of the candidate's experience and motivation;
• Curriculum Vitae (up to 4 pages) including, if available, a complete list of scientific publications with a brief description (up to 3 lines) of the candidate's contribution to each publication;
• A complete list of academic units (for University level courses – undergraduate and graduate) completed or to be completed before the start of the fellowship, and respective grades;
• Name and contact details (position, email, address) of two referees, available to provide information about the candidate (to be contacted if considered necessary to clarify the information provided in the remaining documents).

Applications will be accepted from the 24 of July to 9 of August 2015.

Selection criteria and evaluation
The applicant must have completed a master degree before the start of the fellowship. Only applications from candidates having an adequate background in Mechanical Engineering will be considered.

The curricular evaluation of the candidates will be done based on:

• Cover letter (10%)
• CV, including degrees, marks and contents of curricular units completed (60%)
• Relevance and success of previous research experience (30%)

The positions will be granted only if suitable candidates are found.

For inquires please contact Dr. Sérgio Sousa or any of the senior researchers of the Instrumentation Group.

Selection Committee
Sérgio Sousa
Alexandre Cabral
Manuel Abreu
Nuno Santos
José Afonso

Publication Date
9 July 2015