PhD in Star Formation at Univ. of Bordeaux (ERC Funded)

Submission Information
Publish Date: 
Monday, May 1, 2017
Archive Date: 
Monday, May 29, 2017
Job Summary
Job Category: 
Pre-doctoral/Graduate Positions
Institution Classification/Type: 
Research Laboratory
Institution/Company: 
University of Bordeaux
City: 
Pessac
State/Province: 
Country: 
France
Announcement
Job Announcement Text: 

In 2016, the COSMIC-DANCE project has been awarded a Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council and an Initiative of Excellence grant from the University of Bordeaux to reveal the stellar and sub-stellar content of young nearby clusters.

COSMIC-DANCE will:
1) Measure proper motions with an accuracy comparable to the ESA Gaia mission but 5 mag deeper, reaching the planetary mass domain and piercing through the dust obscured young clusters
2) Using innovative hyper-dimensional data mining and statistical techniques, we will identify cluster members within the millions of sources and obtain the cluster census over the entire mass spectrum.
3) Provide conclusive empirical constraints over a broad parameter space on the much debated respective contributions of evolutionary effects (dynamics, feedback and competitive accretion) and initial conditions (core properties) to the star formation process, with essential bearings on many areas of general astrophysics.

The successful candidate will be in charge of the study of several young clusters and will be trained to:
- understand the astrophysical processes involved in star formation, and in particular in the study of the initial mass function and internal dynamics of young clusters
- prepare and perform astronomical observations, from proposal writing to the execution at the  telescope. We have access to all major facilities around the globe, including ESO, CTIO, La Palma, CFHT and Subaru
- astronomical image processing and analysis
- modern statistical and data mining methods developed for the project to identify cluster members and interpret the observational results
- High Performance Computing: using our private and brand new HPC cluster at the University of Bordeaux

Visit the project webpage (http://www.project-dance.com) to learn more about COSMIC-DANCE.

Requirements:

- Degree: Aspiring candidates must hold a degree equivalent to a European Master (5 years of Higher Education) in either physics, astrophysics, statistics, or related fields. 
- Computing/Programming: Familiar with Linux/UNIX environment. Experience with Python and/or Julia is a plus
- Experience in statistics (especially Bayesian techniques) and/or observational astronomy are a plus, although all excellent applicants will be considered
- Language: Proficiency in English
- Nationality: All nationalities are welcome to apply (subject to visa restrictions)
- Creativeness, motivation, and independence are especially welcome.
- Review of applications and interviews will start June 1, 2017, for a start early/mid September 2017.

The COSMIC-DANCE team includes experts in stellar and planetary formation, astronomical observations, image processing, machine learning, data mining, and statistics, ensuring a versatile, stimulating and high quality training in all the fields required for the completion of the PhD project. Team members work at recognised international institutions in France, Spain, the USA, Germany, Japan, Austria, UK and Chile. The successful candidates will join the P.I. ERC-funded local group at the Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Bordeaux (LAB) of the University of Bordeaux, that will include two post-doctoral fellows, another PhD student, and an engineer.LAB  at the University of Bordeaux offers a very stimulating research environment with staff working in various areas of astrophysics, and in particular on various aspects of star and planet formation. The beautiful city of Bordeaux offers one of the highest quality of living and a vibrant cultural life, near the Atlantic coast.

Applications should include a CV, a cover letter describing the applicant's background and motivation and a brief description of past research and future plans, and the candidate should have 2 or 3 letters of reference to be sent directly to H. Bouy. These documents must be submitted by email as a PDF file to Hervé Bouy ([email protected])

Included Benefits: 

The gross monthly stipend is 1,680 euros.
French doctoral contracts are true employment contracts to the extent that they are enforceable by law and carry all of the benefits attached to such contracts under French law.
In particular, the contract carries medical insurance and other social benefits (e.g. unemployment, parental leave, pension) in addition to the stipend. Contracts are awarded and administered by the university of Bordeaux doctoral department. 
Funding (stipend and travel grant) is fully secured for the 3 years of the PhD through the P.I. ERC Consolidator and Idex grants at the University of Bordeaux.

Application Deadline: 
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Current Status of Position: 
No Status Given (Opted Out)
Apply to Job
Attention To: 
Herve Bouy
Title: 
Dr
Institution/Company: 
Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux
Street Line 1: 
Allée Geoffroy Saint Hilaire
Street Line 2: 
Batiment 18N
City: 
Pessac
State/Province: 
Zip/Postal Code: 
33600
Country: 
France
Phone: 
+33 5 40 00 32
FAX: 
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