ERC Postdoc Fellow on VLTI instrumentation (optical engineering or software engineering) or science

Submission Information
Publish Date: 
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Archive Date: 
Thursday, September 9, 2021
Job Summary
Job Category: 
Post-doctoral Positions and Fellowships
Institution Classification/Type: 
Large Academic
Institution/Company: 
University of Exeter
Department Name: 
Astrophysics Group
Street Line 1: 
School of Physics and Astronomy
City: 
Exeter
State/Province: 
Devon
Zip/Postal: 
EX4 4QL
Country: 
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Announcement
Job Announcement Text: 

The Astrophysics Group at the University of Exeter invites applications to fill one or several posts related to the ERC-CoG project GAIA-BIFROST ("GAIA-BInaries: Formation and fundamental propeRties of Stars and planeTary systems", H2020 project 101003096). The goal of the project is to commission a short-wavelength, high-spectral resolution instrument at ESO's Very Large Telescope Interferometer, named BIFROST, and to carry out a large survey on young stars, binaries and planet-host stars to advance our understanding of star and planet formation. The survey will also provide a legacy data set of dynamical masses and precision ages for stars across the HR diagram.

We plan to recruit a Research Fellow or Associate Research Fellow for one (or several) of the following roles:

(1) Instrument scientist / optical engineer: This postdoc will work, together with other team members, on optimising the optical design of the BIFROST instrument, select and procure optical and optomechanical components, assemble the instrument, and commission it at Paranal.

(2) Software engineer: This postdoc will take responsibility for developing the instrument software that controls the data acquisition & observing sequences and communicates with the VLTI infrastructure and related instruments. The role also includes adopting & optimising the data reduction pipeline.

(3) Data analysis and science preparation: This role focuses on developing software tools for data interpretation and modelling, on diagnosing data quality issues, and preparing/conducting our science surveys with VLTI and CHARA. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in star-/planet-formation or binary/exoplanet-related science using interferometry or GAIA astrometry.

A PhD in Astronomy, engineering, or a related discipline is required. The successful applicant will possess specialist knowledge in optical engineering, software development, and/or astrophysics research. Good team-work and communication skills are required to coordinate with our international partners. 

The Exeter Astrophysics Group is one of the leading UK groups on star-/planet formation and exoplanets and offers a stimulating environment and rich opportunities to collaborate with theory experts. The post includes funding for computing & travel, and we are members of the CHARA consortium and have access to guaranteed time with MIRC-X. The postholder will also act as lead scientist for the Exeter VLTI Expertise Centre and dedicate a small fraction of the time to supporting VLTI users.

Pay Compensation
Salary Min: 
$41750.00 (USD)
Salary Max: 
$56500.00 (USD)
Included Benefits: 

Generous holiday allowances, flexible working, pension scheme, relocation package (if applicable), and health insurance through the National Health Service.

Application Deadline: 
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
Selection Deadline: 
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Current Status of Position: 
Accepting Applicants
Apply to Job
Attention To: 
Prof Stefan Kraus
Title: 
Associate Professor
Institution/Company: 
University of Exeter
Street Line 1: 
Stocker Road
City: 
Exeter
Zip/Postal Code: 
EX4 4QL
Country: 
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Phone: 
+44-1392-724125
Inquiries About Job
Attention To: 
Stefan Kraus
Subject: 
ERC Postdoc Fellow on VLTI instrumentation (optical/software engineering) or science