Post-doctoral position in galaxy formation

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position in extragalactic astrophysics to work at the Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris (IAP, http://www.iap.fr/) with Dr Clotilde Laigle and Dr Henry Joy McCracken, and in close collaboration with Dr Laure Ciesla and Dr Olivier Ilbert at the Laboratoire d'astrophysique de Marseille (LAM). This contract is supported by the IPI (https://ipi-sorbonne-universite.fr/).

The successful candidate is expected to work on the development and application of a novel method to reconstruct the star-formation histories of galaxies from deep multi-band photometric surveys. The candidate will in particular explore the power of machine learning techniques for this task. The method will be calibrated and tested on the new COSMOS2020 dataset, in preparation for the analysis of the Euclid Deep fields. Beside this project, independent research will be encouraged.

Applicants must hold a PhD degree by the start of the contract. We look for applicants with experience preferably in galaxy formation and evolution and the analysis of observational data. Having experience with machine learning is particularly welcome but not mandatory.

The postdoc will have access to significant computational resources at IAP, funding to attend international conferences, and will have the opportunity to make several collaborative stays at LAM. IAP and LAM are amongst the largest french centers for extragalactic astrophysics with a variety of lively interconnected research groups on galaxy evolution, large-scale structure and advanced statistical methods. Both institutes are heavily involved in the Euclid Project and in the processing of both COSMOS and the ancillary data from the Cosmic Dawn survey (optical and IR data on the Euclid deep fields). The postdoc will have access to this extraordinary dataset to carry out the project.

The appointment will be for one year, renewable for a second year, with a salary depending on experience and which includes health insurance.

Applications must be submitted through the CNRS portal (https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR7095-CLOLAI-001/Default.aspx?lang=EN) and include a cover letter, a research proposal summarizing past and ongoing research directions (max 4 pages), a CV and publication list. In addition, names and email addresses of two to three references must be provided. Applications will be reviewed beginning January 15th, 2022, and the position will remain open until filled. The candidates selected for interview will be contacted by email.