Research fellowship position in the field of Cosmology

Ref: IA2018-26-BIM

The Centro de Investigação em Astronomia/Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto (CAUP) opens a call for 1 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 FIS/04434 with financial support provided by the FCT through national funds and co-funded by FEDER through COMPETE2020 (refª POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007672).

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 position has a fixed duration of 3 months. The call is open in the field of cosmology, and the fellowship is to be started during October 2018.

The fellowship contract will comply with the ''Regulamento de Bolsas de Investigação da FCT'' in force and ''Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação''.

According to the FCT table values (http:www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores), the monthly allowance will be €980 (tax free) and will be paid monthly by bank transfer. The fellowship holder 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, either in Porto or Lisbon offices, under the supervision (or co-supervision) of an IA researcher.

Research work plan
The successful candidate is expected to pursue research on topics relevant to the long-term strategy of IA in the thematic line ''Unveiling the dynamics of the Universe'', namely on the study of the cosmological consequences of realistic topological defect networks. Experience on analytic modelling of defect dynamics and on statistical comparisons between models and high-resolution field theory simulations is required.

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), together with a complete list of scientific publications and a brief description (up to 3 lines) of the candidate's contribution to her/his main publications;
- 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 14th of September to 27th of September, 2018.

Selection criteria and evaluation
The curricular evaluation of the candidates will be done based on:
- cover letter (20%);
- CV, including degrees completed (50%);
- relevance and success/impact of previous research experience (30%).

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.

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. Francisco Lobo or any of the senior researchers of the Thematic Line on Cosmology.

Selection Committee
Francisco Lobo (chair)
Nelson Nunes
Jarle Brinchmann
José Afonso

Publication Date
13 September 2018

The period for application submission has ended for this opportunity.