Job opportunities
Call for applications for the selection process to fill the position of PhD candidate in end-to-end simulation, calibration, and instrument performance analysis
The IEEC (Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia) was established in February 1996 as a private non-profit foundation (NPO) to promote R&D in the space field in Catalonia. The IEEC is a research institute that studies all areas of knowledge and technologies applied to the space sector and space sciences, including astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, Earth observation, navigation and space engineering. Its mission is to push the frontiers of space research from the scientific and technological fields for the maximum benefit of society. It should also be noted that the Foundation is attached to the Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Government) and forms part of its institutional public sector due to the fact that the Generalitat has a majority participation in the Board of Trustees of the IEEC.
Introduction
The purpose of this call is to select a candidate to fill a position as a Research Trainee within the ARRAKIHS project, affiliated with the Research area of the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC).
The ARRAKIHS mission, selected by the European Space Agency (ESA), aims to detect and analyse low surface brightness structures in nearby galaxies. The IEEC leads the calibration activities, including end-to-end simulation, plan development, performance analysis, and instrument performance monitoring.
Description of position
- Llocs de treball a cobrir: 1.Call for applications for the selection process to fill the position of PhD candidate in end-to-end simulation, calibration, and instrument performance analysis
- Grup professional: III. Scientific Staff
- Categoria professional: Research Trainee
- Jornada laboral: 37,5 hores/setmana
- Ubicació lloc de treball: Institute of Space Sciences, UAB Campus, Can Magrans S/N, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona
Functions
The Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) is opening a Doctoral Researcher position to join the ARRAKIHS mission, an astrophysics mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) dedicated to the study of low surface brightness structures in nearby galaxies.
The Doctoral Researcher will join the Instrument Operations and Calibration team within the Science Ground Segment, supporting the Calibration Scientist in the development and operation of a complete end-to-end (E2E) simulation framework and performance models of the ARRAKIHS instrument.
The aim is to reproduce and quantify all physical, environmental, and instrumental effects that impact the scientific performance, sensitivity, and calibration requirements of the mission.
These simulations will integrate contributions from environmental effects (zodiacal light, Earth shine, background variations), astrophysical sources (stars, galaxies, cosmic rays), and instrumental effects, including optical response, straylight propagation, detector behaviour, readout modes, and thermal effects.
The results will provide direct support to calibration activities led by the IEEC, contributing to the definition of requirements, evaluation of systematic residuals, validation of the calibration pipeline, and analysis of the overall mission performance.
The selected candidate will have the following duties and responsibilities:
- Develop and maintain end-to-end simulation tools modelling the full observation chain, from astrophysical sources and environmental backgrounds to the detector signal.
- Implement and validate optical, thermal, and detector models, including PSF variations, straylight, throughput losses, readout noise, dark current, and non-linearity.
- Construct and update the instrument noise budget, quantifying the main contributors to signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity.
- Perform performance and sensitivity analyses, assessing how different calibration strategies and residual errors affect achievable surface brightness limits.
- Generate synthetic datasets to support calibration activities, laboratory tests, and instrument model validation.
- Analyse calibration and laboratory test data performed at the IEEC, comparing them with simulation predictions.
- Collaborate closely with the Calibration Scientist and the rest of the Instrument Operations and Calibration team of the ARRAKIHS Ground Segment.
- Contribute to internal documentation, technical reports, and scientific publications.
Participation requirements and selection criteria
The following criteria will be considered during the selection process:
- Degree and Master’s in Astronomy, Physics, Engineering, or related disciplines.
- Admission to a doctoral programme prior to the start of the contract.
- Solid knowledge of astronomical instrumentation, data analysis, and physical simulation or modelling.
- Experience in scientific programming, preferably in Python.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills, with an interest in performance modelling and noise behaviour.
- Ability to work in multidisciplinary and international environments.
- Good command of English, both spoken and written.
The following desirable merits will be considered (maximum 20 points):
- Previous experience in end-to-end simulations, performance modelling, or calibration of astronomical/space instruments (6 points).
- Familiarity with optical system modelling, detector physics, and calibration processes (4 points).
- Understanding of radiometric assumptions, noise sources, and error propagation in performance analyses (4 points).
- Experience in ESA projects or similar missions (3 points).
- Motivation and orientation towards a career in astronomical instrumentation and scientific simulation (3 points).
Contact and deadline
Interested persons who meet the established requirements can send motivation letter, personal curriculum in PDF format, signed as certification, with a brief description of the tasks carried out in the positions previously occupied, to the email address: RecursosHumans@ieec.cat indicating the reference "Surnames and Name – OF_IEEC_227_2025" in the subject line of the email.
The reception of applications ends on
Selection procedure
Initially, a verification of the eligibility requirements will be carried out, and a first selection of candidates will be made based on the submitted documentation. Subsequently, if deemed necessary, preselected candidates may be invited to a personal interview to provide further details on their CV and to assess aspects related to professional competencies.
The evaluation committee for this procedure will be composed of:
1. a) Principal Investigator of the ARRAKIHS PID2022 project at the IEEC.
2. b) Researcher of the ARRAKIHS PID2022 project at the IEEC or a delegated representative.
3. c) Postdoctoral researcher of the ARRAKIHS PID2022 project at the IEEC or a delegated representative.
Interested candidates must have the originals of the certificates accrediting their education and work experience as stated in their CV, and must present them if requested.
In compliance with the LISMI, the IEEC will reserve positions for candidates who can demonstrate a disability of 33% or greater, provided they are suitable for the performance of the duties to be carried out.