Research Fellowship position in the field of Planetary Systems

Ref: IA2018-40-BIM

The Centro de Investigação em Astronomia/Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto (CAUP) opens a call for one research fellowship (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 UID/FIS/04434/2019 with financial support provided by the FCT/MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC).

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 and the fellowship is to be started preferably in January 2019. The fellowship has a duration of 6 months and can be renewed for up to more 6 months. The fellowship renewal will depend on the evaluation of the work done and is pending on a favorable evaluation of the research unit FIS/04434 and on the funding program in place during 2019. It cannot be extended beyond December 31st, 2019.

The fellowship contract will comply with the Lei nº 40/2004 de 18 de Agosto (Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação) and ''Regulamento de Bolsas e Investigação da Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia'' in force (http://fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/docs/RegulamentoBolsasFCT.pdf).

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 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, under the supervision of Dr. Nuno Santos.

Research work plan:
The work plan is intended to develop methodologies to analyze high resolution near-IR spectra in the context of exoplanet search projects, in preparation for data coming from the NIRPS and SPIROU spectrographs. In particular, the focus will be on the analysis of methods to perform telluric line correction and to extract and understand the existing radial velocity information.

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 in 10pt size format at minimum), a list of the grades for the taken classes and a scan of the MSc degree diploma;
     - 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 6th to 19th of December, 2018.

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 candidate is expected to pursue research on the impact of stellar activity on the derivation of precise radial velocities. Preference will be given to:
     1- candidates with demonstrated experience on the field of near-IR spectroscopy and radial velocity analysis for exoplanet detection and characterization;
     2.- with a sound mathematical/statistical background.

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, including degrees, marks and contents of curricular units completed;
     - (40%) relevance and adequacy of previous research experience and research plan to the priorities of 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. Nuno Santos.

Selection Committee:
Nuno Santos (chair)
Olivier Demangeon
Elisa Delgado-Mena
Jarle Brinchmann

Publication Date:
21st November 2018

The period for application submission has ended for this opportunity.