Postdoctoral position Gaia/DPAC software development

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position at Leiden Observatory to work on crowded field (spectro-)photometric data processing for the Gaia mission. Specifically, the work will result in algorithms and code, to be integrated into the DPAC processing pipeline, for the combination of repeated observations of blended sources in order to disentangle the overlapping Blue and Red Photometer prism spectra. The work will be guided by insights gained from a limited set of full frame images of crowded fields obtained with Gaia's Skymapper CCDs through the Service Interface Function (SIF).

The successful candidate will  join the Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC). The work will be embedded in Coordination Unit 5 (CU5, photometry) of DPAC, where frequent interaction is foreseen with the other DPAC coordination units and with the working group analysing the SIF images. In addition a fraction of the time will be spent on supporting the catalogue validation activities of the Gaia group at Groningen University.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in astronomy, physics, computer science, or mathematics by the starting date. Experienc with Java (or the ability to learn it quickly) , some background in data analysis, and experience with crowded field photometry will be an advantage.

The appointment is for a period of three years and comes with full benefits and a competitive salary. The anticipated start date of the appointment is June 1 2019 or soon thereafter.

For more information visit https://local.strw.leidenuniv.nl/jobs/brown.php