One Postdoctoral Contract IACTEC Optical Communications 2018

The IAC (Tenerife) invites applications for ONE postdoctoral contract to work on topics within the “IACTec Large telescopes - Programa de Capacitación de IACTec” project, led by Dr.Carlos Martínez Roger.

 

Research topics at the IAC include most areas of astrophysics: solar physics, planetary systems, stellar and interstellar physics, galaxy formation and evolution, and cosmology and astroparticles. These research lines are supported by an ambitious instrumentation program. The IAC has been selected as a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence by the Spanish Government in 2015, a prestigious recognition awarded for the second time to the IAC as a leading research institute in Spain. Further information about the IAC's research programme, its Observatories and the 10.4m GTC is available at the IAC's web page (http://www.iac.es).

 

Duties: The selected candidate will pursue research related to one or several of the following fields:

 

Development of optical work related to optical communications (earth-satellite and satellite-satellite) with the following functions:

 

• In-depth study of the infrastructure of the IAC regarding telescopes, instruments and existing or planned experiments at the Canarian Observatories to define their compatibility as ground stations (following/emitting light pulses from/to satellites).
• Adaptation of existing or planned infrastructures for its use as ground stations for optical communications; the design and construction of specific infrastructures for that use.
• Analyze and promote the participation of Canary Observatories in the field of ground stations for optical communications with space, especially in the new generation of large diameter telescopes.
• Act as an interface with other projects at a national and international level related with communications with satellites (especially with ESA).
• Strengthen entrepreneurship activities linked to the free space optical communications sector.

 

Position requirements: The candidates must have a solid track record of research and are expected to have a strong publication record in the field of optical instrumentation, in particular in the development of free space optical communications (lasercoms) with space.

 

Qualification requirements: To be eligible for admission, applicants must have obtained a Ph.D. degree in Astrophysics, Physics or Engineering within the application deadline (April 30, 2018).  A copy of the degree or corresponding stamped certificate (issued by the University where the degree was obtained), must be included. Applicants who have not completed the Ph.D. degree within the application deadline will not be considered.

 

Merits to value:

Section A: Maximum score 60 points.

 

• Scientific and technical contributions to the field of research.
• Scientific publications, in quality and quantity, collected in the Science Citation Index (SCI), paper in conferences; teaching tasks, scientific activity committees, scientific conference committees, conference organization, journal referee and stays in other centres.

 

Section B: Maximum score 40 points.

 

Adequacy of training and experience of the candidate to the contract he/she is applying for:

 

• Design of optical instrumentation, in particular telescopes and instruments for astronomy or for satellites for earth observation.
• Design of instrumentation for optical communications in free space, preferably in connection with satellites (lasercoms).
• Design, construction, assembly, alignment and validation of optical systems.
• Handling optical design software such as Zemax or CodeV.
• Project management of telescopic installations, in particular experience in telescopic installations for communication with satellites.
• Coordination and supervision of work teams.
• Preparation of scientific and technical documentation.

 

In order to guarantee coverage of the effective equality of men and women, and developing the provisions of the Second Plan of Equality of the IAC, the merit values will be measured when certain documented situations exist, which can be presumed that they may diminish the performance of the personnel, with the aim that they do not detract from the evaluation of the career of each applicant. In any case, the following are considered to be special situations:

 

• Maternity, up to 18 months after the date of birth or adoption.
• Paternity, enjoyed as provided by Social Security, for the duration of the corresponding permit.
• Severe illness or accident with medical leave for a minimum of 3 months.
• Care for dependents for a minimum period of 3 months, as provided by Law 39/2006.
• Work Permits for care of dependent children or adults.

 

Training: Those candidates who have done their Ph.D. research at the IAC must have undertaken a period of training in other research centres. This period must consist of either one continuous year or 18 accumulated months (including periods of training during their doctoral period).

 

Duration: The appointment is initially for a period of two years (subject to availability of funds in the project).  The starting date is expected to be in the second quarter of 2018.

 

Remuneration: The gross annual salary is 33,547 Euros, subject to up to 20% tax and Social Security deductions (depending on the personal situation of the candidate). Medical insurance under the Spanish National Health Service will be provided for the candidate and will also cover spouse or registered partner (de facto partner) and children (if relevant).

 

Relocation allowance: This call includes a relocation allowance (only for the selected candidate) comprising: the cost of the flight ticket (booked and issued by the IAC), temporary accommodation for up to two weeks (organised by the IAC) and per diem rate up to two weeks.  The maximum IAC will reimburse is 2,000 Euros.

 

Non-UE citizens: Applicants who are not citizen of a country belonging to the European Union are invited to apply for this position, but, if selected, will be allowed to sign the contract with the IAC only after obtaining the compulsory documentation required to live and work in Spain. 

 

How to apply: use the online application system, http://www.iac.es/jobs/research/, including the required information and documents. Alternatively, follow the instructions in the official announcement (only in Spanish).

 

The required documentation must be submitted using the online application system and received by the application deadline. The application form, CV, publication list, statements of research interests and suitability for the position, copy of the Ph.D. degree, and copy of the national identity or passport should be merged into a single PDF file.

 

Late applications or those that do not include the mandatory application form (Annex I), will not be considered. In case of incomplete applications, the applicant will have a period of five (5) days, starting from the day after publication of the provisional list of accepted and excluded candidates, to provide the missing documentation.