Postdoctoral position for Milky Way and Local Group area

The Millennium Scientific Initiative’s Institute of Astrophysics (MAS) solicits applications for up to two postdoctoral positions to work on astrophysical topics related to our Galaxy’s stellar populations. The positions are within the Milky Way and Local Group area, led by Dr. Márcio Catelan, Jura Borissova, and Manuela Zoccali.

MAS is a large interdisciplinary research center comprised of astronomers, statisticians, and computer scientists located across several Chilean universities. Within MAS, the Milky Way and Local Group research area has focused mainly on the exploitation of the VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea survey, complemented with optical surveys such as OGLE, Catalina, and Gaia, large spectroscopic surveys such as GIBS, Gaia ESO, and APOGEE, plus targeted observational programs with both imaging and spectroscopy. It is also involved in preparations for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s LSST, participating in the ALeRCE alert broker effort, which is currently processing the ZTF alert stream, and soon will start processing the ATLAS stream as well. 

Dependent on skillset and interests, selected candidates will work on some of the following topics: the use of different types of variable stars to trace the stellar populations of different Galactic components, stellar chemical abundances and what they teach us about our Galaxy’s formation, star formation in the nuclear bulge, Young Stellar Objects in star clusters, etc. Dr. Zoccali and Dr. Catelan are members of the MOONS Science Team, thus having access to the GTO Galactic Survey starting in 2022. In addition, as every astronomer in Chile, selected candidates will have access to 10% of the observing time on all the telescopes located on Chilean ground.

The starting dates for the position can be as early as possible, but the candidate will be required to hold her/his Ph.D. degree by the starting date. The appointments are initially for 2 years, with renewals yearly for up to three years, contingent upon satisfactory progress and availability of funding.

The fellow will receive a competitive salary and benefits, as well as a research budget including travel and hardware. Interested researchers should send the following by email to Dr. Manuela Zoccali as PDF attachments: CV (including publications list); description of research interests (3 pages max.). Applicants should also request for at least 2 letters of recommendation to be sent directly from the writers to the same. We will begin reviewing applications on December 15, 2020, but late applications will be considered, until the positions are filled. Questions should be directed to Dr. Márcio Catelan.