Up 2 Research fellowships (BIM) in the field of Planetary Systems

Ref: IA2019-22-BIM

The Centro de Investigação em Astronomia/Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto (CAUP) opens a call for up to two research fellowships (Bolsa de Investigação - Mestre) in the field of Planetary Systems at the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA).

The position is offered in the context of the project "Towards the characterization of Earth-like exoplanets" with financial support provided by the FCT (refª IF/00028/2014/CP1215/CT0002).

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 Planetary Systems, with focus on planet-host characterization research and the fellowship has to start no later than 1st of January 2020. The position has a maximum duration of 4 months.

The fellowship contracts will comply with 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 €989,70 (tax free) and will be paid monthly by bank transfer. The fellowship holders will have a personal accident insurance. Funds for traveling (conferences, collaborations, observing missions) are also available.

The work plan will be carried out within IA, in Porto, under the supervision of Dr. Sérgio Sousa.

Research work plan:
IA is strongly contributing to ESA’s CHEOPS mission, expected to be launched very soon. Part of this contribution to CHEOPS is related to the characterization of the planet-host stars which will be observed by CHEOPS. Our group is continuously compiling and updating SWEETCat, a catalogue of parameters for Stars With ExoplanETs. The successful candidates are expected to develop methods and compile data to improve the current catalogue. This include the collection of new spectroscopic data for the respective analysis, completing the catalogue with more homogeneous data, and the creation of a useful link with other exoplanet catalogues available for the community (e.g. exo.org, exo.eu); Candidates with strong demonstrated skills in programming (in particular using python) are highly desirable.

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 describing the academic curriculum and research experience (up to 4 pages in 10pt size format at minimum) and (separately) a list of the completed curricular units with the respective marks;
    - MSc degree diploma or certificate (please see note 1);
    - 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 23 of November to 6 of December 2019.

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 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, considering the degree and the previous academic training, including outcomes and contents of completed curricular units and the relevance of that training for the topic;
    - [40%] Relevance and adequacy of previous research experience to the work plan, the priorities of the project, 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. Sérgio Sousa.

Selection Committee:
Sérgio Sousa (chair)
Nuno Santos
Vardan Adibekyan
Elisa Delgado-Mena (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:
8 November 2019

The period for application submission has ended for this opportunity.