ONE POSTDOCTORAL CONTRACT STELLAR POPULATIONS OF EARLY-TYPE GALAXIES IN THE NEAR IR 2017

The IAC (Tenerife) invites applications for ONE postdoctoral contract to work on topics within the project “Real and virtual galaxias: galaxy formation across the cosmic history” (AYA2016-77237-C3-1-P), led by Dr. Jesús Falcón Barroso.

Research topics at the IAC include most areas of astrophysics: solar physics, planetary systems, stellar and interstellar physics, galactic 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 main goal of this position is to study the stellar populations and star formation histories of ETGs of varying mass and varying environments from the nearby Universe out to z~1. The candidate will be responsible for the analysis of already existing spectroscopic observations and also guaranteed time with EMIR at GTC 10m telescope. A particular emphasis will be given to the study of the IMF, abundance element ratios and constrain the contributions from younger stellar components in the Near-IR spectral range. The candidate is expected to exploit this nearly pristine spectral range with the newly extended E-MILES stellar population models. The successful applicant will join the TRACES group (http://www.iac.es/proyecto/traces/), an active group of ~10 full-time researchers working on various aspects of stellar systems, stellar population modelling, galaxy formation and evolution. The postdoc will also have access to ESO and Spanish observational facilities including the 10.4m GTC in La Palma. The selected candidate will work closely with Dr. Alexandre Vazdekis.

Position requirements: Candidates with a good track record of research and strong background on stellar populations from the observational or/and modelling expertise, and extensive experience with the spectroscopic analysis tools, including kinematics, are particularly encouraged to apply.

Qualification requirements: To be eligible for admission, applicants must have obtained a Ph.D. degree in Astrophysics or Physics, within the application deadline (31 Marzo 2017).  A copy of the degree or corresponding stamped certificate (issued by the University where the degree was obtained), must be included.  If the applicant has not completed the Ph.D. degree within the application deadline, will not be considered.

Training: Those candidates who have done their Ph.D. research at the IAC must have undertaken a period of training at 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 will be for a period of 2 years. The starting date is expected to be preferably before autumn, 2017 and not later than January 1, 2018. In any case the contract will not be extended later than December 31, 2019 (finalization of the project).

Remuneration: The gross annual salary is 33,215 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 CV, publication list, statements of research interests and suitability for the position, copy of the Ph.D. degree, and copy 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.