Research fellowship in the field of cosmology

Ref: IA2019-14-BIM

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

The position is offered in the context of the project UID/FIS/04434/2019 with financial support provided by the FCT/MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC).

The Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA) is the most prominent research unit in the field of Astrophysics in Portugal, integrating researchers from the University of Porto and the University of Lisbon, and is responsible for a major 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 call is open in the field of cosmology and the fellowship is expected to be started on the 1st of October 2019. The fellowship has a duration of 3 months.

The fellowship contract will comply with the Lei nº 40/2004 de 18 de Agosto (''Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação'') and ''Regulamento de Bolsas e Investigação da Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia'' in force (http://fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/docs/RegulamentoBolsasFCT.pdf).

According to the FCT table values (http:www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores), the monthly allowance will be €989,70 (tax free) and will be paid monthly by bank transfer. The fellowships holders will have a personal accident insurance. Funds for traveling (conferences, collaborations, observing missions) are also available.

The work plan is to be carried out in IA, in Porto, under the supervision of Dr. Carlos Martins.

Research work plan:
The candidate will contribute to the ongoing analysis of the ESPRESSO fundamental physics GTO data, and in particular will lead the analysis of the spectra for one of the GTO targets, leading to a new measurement of the fine-structure constant alpha.

Application:
The application, to be submitted through 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 in 10pt size format at minimum), a list of the grades for the taken classes and a scan of the MSc degree diploma;
     - Name and contact details (position, email, address) of two referees, available to provide information about the candidate (these will be contacted at the jury's discretion).

Applications will be accepted from the 12th to 25th of september.

Selection criteria and evaluation:
The applicant must have completed a MSc degree. Only applications from candidates having an adequate background in Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, or other relevant domains, will be considered.

The candidate is expected to pursue research on the spectroscopic tests of the variation of the fine structure constant. Preference will be given to candidates with:
     1- familiarity with the ESPRESSO instrument, and specifically with its data reduction and analysis software ;
     2- expertise on astrophysical tests of the stability of fundamental constants.

The curricular evaluation of the candidates will be done based on:
     - (10%) cover letter with a brief description of the candidate's experience and motivation;
     - (50%) CV, including degrees, marks and contents of curricular units completed;
     - (40%) relevance and adequacy of previous research experience and research plan to the priorities of the team and of IA.

An ordered list of candidates will be defined by the selection committee based on the submitted documents and the criteria mentioned above. If judged necessary, reference letters may also be asked to the aforementioned referees and will be taken into account in the evaluation process.

Awarding of the contract:
Following the evaluation process the contracts will be offered according to the ordering list proposed by the selection committee. The positions will be granted only if suitable candidates are found. Only candidates with a minimum grade of 70% will be accepted.

The selected candidates will be notified by e-mail.

For inquires please contact Dr. Nelson Nunes.

Selection Committee:
Nelson Nunes
Carlos Martins
José Pedro Mimoso
Francisco Lobo (alternate)

Notes:
1. In the event that the degree was awarded by a foreign higher education institution, that degree must comply with the provisions of Decree-Law no. 66/2018, of 16th October (approves the legal regime for the recognition of foreign higher academic degrees), and all formalities established therein must be complied with up to the date of hiring.
Applicants are advised to check the website of the Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES) for further information: https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/degree-and-diploma-recognition.

2. The fellowship holders' functions are carried out under a scheme of exclusive dedication, in accordance with the terms established in the Research Fellowship Holder's Statute (Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação). For more information, see in particular article 5 - Performing Duties: https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/docs/FellowshipHolderStatute2013.pdf.

Publication date:
28th august 2019

The period for application submission has ended for this opportunity.