One Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in the field of Astrobiology

Ref: IA2024-03-BIPD

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

The Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA) is the most prominent Research Unit in the field of Astronomy/Astrophysics in Portugal, integrating researchers from the universities of Porto, Lisbon and Coimbra, and is responsible for a major fraction of the national productivity in international ISI journals in the field of Space Sciences. Research and science communication at IA include topics and instrumentation at the forefront of research in Astronomy/Astrophysics and Space Sciences.

The position is offered under the following conditions:

1.- Scientific area: Astronomy and Astrophysics - Astrobiology.

2.- Requirements for admission: The applicants must have completed a PhD degree in Astronomy/Astrophysics, Astrobiology, or a related discipline. Only applications from candidates having an adequate background in Astronomy, Astrobiology, Physics, Mathematics, or other relevant domains, will be considered.

3.- Additional skills and qualifications: Knowledge of microbiology that allows to make the bridge with the study of life conditions in exoplanets.

4.- Contracting requirements: Presentation of the following documents at the time of signing the fellowship agreement:

- Presentation of the academic qualifications and/or diplomas.

5.- Work plan: The main objective of the work plan, centered on the area of Astrobiology, is to bridge the gap between the domains of Astrophysics and Biology, with the aim of exploring the habitability potential of exoplanets through the study of the survival of extremophile microorganisms.

6.- Legislation framework: The fellowship contract will comply with:


The fellow's functions are carried out under a scheme of exclusive dedication, in accordance with the terms established in the article 5 of Research Grant Holder Statute (Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação).

7.- Monthly allowance: According to the FCT table values [https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM_atualizacao-2024.pdf], the monthly allowance will be €1.801,00 (tax free) and will be paid monthly by bank transfer.

The fellow will have a personal accident insurance. They can also exercise the right to social security by joining the voluntary social insurance scheme, if not covered by any other social protection scheme, under the terms of the Código dos Regimes Contributivos do Sistema Previdencial de Segurança Social, as stipulated in article 10 of the Research Grant Holder Statute (Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação).

8.- Place of work: The work will be carried out at CAUP (in the Porto node of the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço), Rua das Estrelas, 4150-762, under the scientific supervision of Nuno C. Santos.

9.- Fellowship duration: The fellowship should start until September 2024 and has a duration of 12 months. The fellowship may be renewed for a similar period depending on funding availability and an analysis of one activity report.

10.- Application: The application, to be submitted through the web form indicated below, should include the following information:

   a.) Cover letter with a brief description of the candidate's experience and motivation.
   b.) Detailed Curriculum Vitae describing the academic path and research experience (up to 4 pages with at least 10pt font size).
    c.) PhD degree diploma or certificate.
  d.) Name and contact details (position, email, address) of up to two referees, who will be available to provide information about the candidate (these will be contacted at the Selection Committee's discretion).

The documents that prove the entitlement of the academic qualifications or diplomas can be dismissed during the application period and replaced by a signed declaration of honour. If not provided during the application process, these documents must nevertheless be submitted when signing the contract.

In the event that the degree was awarded by a higher education institution outside of Portugal, that degree must comply with the provisions of Decree-Law n.º 66/2018 of 16th August 2018 (approves the legal regime for the recognition of foreign higher academic degrees) and Ministerial Order n.º 43/2020 of 14th February which changes the Ministerial Order n.º 33/2019 of 25th January, and all formalities established therein must be complied with up to the date of signing the contract.

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. They can also check information on the website of the University of Porto: https://sigarra.up.pt/up/en/WEB_BASE.GERA_PAGINA?p_pagina=1005819.

11.- Deadline: This call for applications will remain open from the 07 of May until the 20 of May 2024.

12.- Selection criteria and evaluation: The evaluation of the applications will be performed based on:

   a.) (15%) Cover letter with a brief description of the candidate's experience and motivation.
   b.) (35%) CV, considering the previous academic training, including the relevance of that training to the topic of the call.
   c.) (50%) Relevance of previous research experience.

An ordered list of candidates will be defined by the Selection Committee based on the submitted documents and the criteria mentioned above. If deemed necessary, the designated referees may be asked to provide reference letters, which will be taken into account in the evaluation of points b.) and c.) of the selection criteria.

13.- Selection Committee:
Nuno C. Santos (Chair)
Pedro Viana
Sérgio Sousa
Margarida Cunha (alternate)

14.- Awarding of the contract: Following the evaluation process, the fellowship(s) will be offered according to the ordered list proposed by the selection committee. The position(s) will be granted only if suitable candidates are identified. Only candidates with a minimum grade of 75% will be accepted. All the candidates will be notified by e-mail, sent by the call holder, with the final classifications and the selection meeting minutes and/or evaluation grids enclosed.

15.- Time limits for the appeal procedure: Candidates have 10 working days, after the date of announcement of the results, to pronounce on the decision through e-mail to jobs@iastro.pt and to the Chair of the Selection Committee nuno.santos@astro.up.pt. Appeals against the final decision may be submitted to the Executive Board of CAUP (direcao@lists.astro.up.pt) within 15 working days after the notification date.

16.- Non-discrimination and equal access: CAUP promotes a policy of non-discrimination and equal access, thus no applicant may be privileged, benefited, undermined or deprived of any right or exempted from any duty, namely, due to ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, civil status, family situation, economic situation, origin or social condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic disease, nationality, ethnicity or race, country or territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs, or trade union affiliation.

Publication date: 06 May 2024

The period for application submission has ended for this opportunity.