Research fellowship position in the field of Asteroseismology

Ref: IA2019-20-BIL

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

The position is offered in the context of the project "Breaking through outstanding problems in stellar evolution with ultra-precise space-based photometry (BreakStarS)", funded by FEDER - Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional through COMPETE2020 - Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) (reference POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030389), and by Portuguese funds through FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (reference PTDC/FIS-AST/30389/2017).

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 position has a duration of 6 months and cannot be renewed, and must be started no later than January, 31st 2020.

The fellowship contract will comply with the Lei nº 40/2004 de 18 de Agosto - ''Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação’’ in force [https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/estatutobolseiro] and ''Regulamento de Bolsas e Investigação da Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia'' in force [https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/regulamento.phtml.pt].

According to the FCT table values [http:www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores], the monthly allowance will be €752,38 (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 offices, under the supervision of a member of the project referred above.

Research work plan
The successful candidate is expected to pursue research on topics relevant to the project "Breaking through outstanding problems in stellar evolution with ultra-precise space-based photometry". Specifically, the candidate is expected to contribute to the development of the next generation suite of tools for forward modelling, that will consider and quantify the impact of important short-comings associated to state-of-the-art methodologies, translating them into realistic uncertainties in the inferred stellar properties. These are to be tested in the context of exercises to be developed in the preparation of the PLATO mission as well as applied to real data from Kepler.

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 research interests;
- Curriculum Vitae (up to 4 pages, in 10pt size format and single line spacing at minimum), and a list of the course grades, as well as a scan of the BSc degree diploma (please see note 1);
- 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 14 to 27 November, 2019.

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

- [10%] cover letter;
- [50%] CV, including degrees and the marks obtained in the curricular units considered of relevance for the work plan;
- [40%] relevance and adequacy of previous research experience to the priorities of the work plan.

The applicant must have completed a BSc degree (licenciatura). Only applications from candidates having an adequate background in Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, or other relevant domains, will be considered.

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 (with a minimum of 60% in the evaluation). The selected candidates will be notified by e-mail.

For inquires please contact Dr. Margarida Cunha.

Selection Committee
Margarida Cunha (chair)
Mário João Monteiro
Tiago Campante
Morgan Deal (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 August (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/estatutobolseiro].

Publication Date
29 october 2019

The period for application submission has ended for this opportunity.