One Research Fellowship for a PhD in the field of Observational Cosmology

Ref: IA2024-09-BI-D

The Centro de Investigação em Astronomia/Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto (CAUP) opens a call for One Research Fellowship for a PhD in the field of Observational Cosmology 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 in the context of the project “Phi in the Sky: Astrophysical Probes of Fundamental Physics”, funded by Portuguese funds through FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (reference 2022.04048.PTDC), under the following conditions:

1.- Scientific area: Astronomy and Astrophysics.

2.- Requirements for admission: The applicants must have completed a degree in Astronomy, Physics or a related discipline. They must also comply with the requirements to be enrolled in a PhD program at U. Porto (PDA or MAP-fis, as preferred by the candidate) at the time of the start of the fellowship. Only applications from candidates having an adequate background in these domains will be considered.

3.- Additional skills and qualifications: A Masters degree with a thesis in a specifically relevant area will be an advantage. The applicants should have an interest and demonstrated relevant previous experience in observational cosmology and astrophysics. Previous experience in high-resolution spectroscopy, especially if related to ESPRESSO and ELT/ANDES, will be highly beneficial and will be positively evaluated.
 
4.- Contracting requirements: Presentation of the following documents at the time of signing the fellowship agreement:
- Diplomas of the completed academic degrees.
- Proof of enrolment in a PhD program at U. Porto (PDA or MAP-fis, as preferred by the candidate).

5.- Work plan: The candidate will contribute to Task 5 of the Phi in the Sky Project. The goal is to develop and consolidate the ANDES cosmology and fundamental physics science cases, especially tests of the stability of fundamental couplings such as alpha and the detection of the redshift drift or Sandage test signal. Specifically, the student will build upon our ESPRESSO scientific and technical expertise, and on our privileged access to its data, using it to obtain improved fundamental physics constraints and as a basis for ANDES forecasts. These will enable a full assessment of the ANDES capabilities, inform any necessary tradeoffs, and enable us to start outlining possible observational strategies.

6.- Legislation framework: The fellowship contract will comply with:
-    Law n.º 123/2019, of 28th August 2019 - ''Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação'' (Research Grant Holder Statute) in force [https://dre.pt/dre/legislacao-consolidada/lei/2004-58216179]

-    Regulation n.º 950/2019, of 16th December 2019 - ''Regulamento de Bolsas e Investigação da Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia'' (Regulation of Fellowship of Research) in force [https://files.dre.pt/2s/2019/12/241000000/0009100105.pdf]

-    "CAUP's Fellowship Regulation" (available at www.astro.up.pt/documentos/CAUP-RegulamentoBolsas.pdf).

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 € 1259.64 (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).

Additional funds for travel (conferences, observing trips and work visits) will also be available. PhD program fees are not covered.

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 Carlos Martins and other relevant members of the Phi in the Sky project team.

9.- Fellowship duration: The fellowship will start on a mutually agreed date between 01 October and 15 December 2024, and has an initial duration of 06 months. Depending on positive performance, it can be renewed for a second period of 06 months. Meanwhile, the fellow is expected to apply to a direct PhD grant from FCT.

The renewal is subject to a positive evaluation of the research plan within the doctoral program, and the demonstration of enrolment in the study cycle leading to the PhD degree.

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

a) Cover letter, including a description of the candidate's experience and motivation.
b) Curriculum Vitae describing the academic path and research experience (up to 4 pages with at least 10pt font size).
c) List of completed curricular units, including the corresponding marks.
d) Undergraduate and Masters degree diploma or certificate.
e) Name and contact details (position, email, address) of at least two referees, who will send reference letters directly to jobs@astro.up.pt by the call deadline.

The document in d) pertaining to the Masters degree can be skipped during the application period and replaced by a signed declaration of honour. If not provided during the application process, this document must nevertheless be submitted before the signing of 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 10 July 2024 until the 06 September 2024.

12.- Selection criteria and evaluation: The evaluation of the applications will be performed based on:
a) (10%) Cover letter with a brief description of the candidate's experience and motivation.
b) (30%) CV, considering the degrees and previous academic training, including the marks of the completed curricular units and the relevance of that training to the topic of the call.
c) (20%) Reference letters, confirming the candidate’s training, expertise, and motivation.
d) (20%) Previous research and specific relevant expertise, as described in article 3 of this call, assessed from the CV and reference letters.
e) (20%) Interview, validating and complementing the information provided in the application.

An ordered list of candidates will be defined by the Selection Committee based on the submitted documents and the criteria mentioned above. Only the complete applications will be admitted for evaluation. A maximum of 5 candidates, initially ranked according to the criteria a)-d), will be selected for the interview, which will be held via Zoom.

13.- Selection Committee:
Carlos Martins (Chair)
Dinko Milakovic
Valentina D’Odorico
J. Paulo Maurício Carvalho (alternate)

14.- Awarding of the contract: Following the evaluation process, the fellowship will be offered according to the ordered list proposed by the selection committee. The position will be granted only if suitable candidates are identified. Only candidates with a minimum grade of 70% 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 [Carlos.Martins@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: 09 July 2024

The period for application submission has ended for this opportunity.