One Postdoctoral Contract IACTEC Microsatellites Program 2018

The IAC (Tenerife) invites applications for ONE postdoctoral contract to work on topics within the “IACTec Microsatellites Program - Programa de Capacitación de IACTec” project, led by Dr. Álex Oscoz Abad.

 

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:

 

• The development of optical work leading to the design, manufacture and commissioning of the payload of the first Canarian nano-satellite for Earth observation, as well as the detailed design of the payload of a micro-satellite for Earth observation with sub-meter resolution, and its interfaces with the rest of the micro-satellite components.
• Leading the Micro-Satellite Optics team in the market studies, design, simulation, integration and validation of cameras (payload) for Earth observation from satellites at low orbits (LEO), in the visible and infrared wavelengths, and in the range of sizes between nano (1U standard cubesat) to micro-sets (16U).
• Represent the optics team in the interaction with the other specialties of the Micro-Satellites program.
• Configure the payload of the nano-satellite to be able to receive optical signals from the ground (uplink lasercoms) to check the effects on the bandwidth of the adaptive corrections of the emitting laser. Integration and testing of the related payload.
• Support the analysis of requirements and design of optical communication payloads (on-board light emitting sources) in the entire range from LEDs to low power lasers, or even retro-reflective modulator systems compatible with space, and for use in the nano-satellite and the micro-satellite (medium-long-term objective).

 

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 optical payloads for Earth observation with small satellites.

 

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:

 

• Instrumentation for small satellites, design of optical systems in the visible and near infrared ranges.
• Research in the use of new optical materials lighter than those traditionally sent to space.
• Design, construction, assembly, optical alignment and validation of components of small satellites.
• Design, integration and verification of similar astrophysical instrumentation. Handling of optical design software such as Zemax or CodeV.
• Alignment and verification using alignment telescopes or interferometers. Knowledge in simulation of telescope optics and atmospheric behavior in the laboratory, as well as calculation techniques to assess diffuse light in these systems.
• Spectral-radiometric characterization of detectors to be sent to space, analysis and control of diffused and scattered light coming from the regions adjacent to the object and also produced in the instrument itself, particularly in the thermal region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
• Knowledge and characterization of detectors fundamentally CMOS of last generation, and also CCD, EMCCD, hybrids or bolometers for visible, infrared and thermal infrared, for space.
• Definition, preparation, and coordination of the necessary devices for the electro-optical characterization tests of the aforementioned detectors.
• 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.