Job opportunities

Call for applications for the selection process to fill a postdoctoral researcher position in physical modelling of stellar variability

OF_IEEC_261_2026
Publication date
2026-08-05
Deadline
2026-09-15

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 postdoctoral researcher position assigned to the Research Area of the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC), within the framework of the SPOTLESS project.

SPOTLESS is a project funded by ERC Advanced Grant and aims to develop a comprehensive strategy to model and mitigate the impact of stellar activity on the signals used to detect Earth-like exoplanets and characterise the atmospheres of small planets.

The project combines physical modelling of stellar surfaces, spectral simulations, machine learning, and observations obtained with facilities such as ESPRESSO, CARMENES, the James Webb Space Telescope, PLATO, and Ariel. One of its central components is the development of StarSim, a physical simulator of stellar variability capable of predicting the effects of the photosphere, spots, and faculae on photometry, radial velocities, and transmission spectroscopy.

The recruitment of a specialist in solar physics, stellar atmospheres, and radiative modelling is required to improve the physical ingredients of StarSim, connect it with one-dimensional and three-dimensional atmosphere models, including magnetohydrodynamic models such as MURaM, and validate its predictions against high-precision solar and stellar observations.

Description of position

  • Positions to be filled: 1.Call for applications for the selection process to fill a postdoctoral researcher position in physical modelling of stellar variability
  • Professional group: Group III.Scientific staff
  • Professional category: Scientific Researcher
  • Working hours: 37,5h/week
  • Workplace location: Institute of Space Sciences, ICE-CSIC, UAB Campus, 08193 Bellaterra

Functions

The selected candidate will join the SPOTLESS project team and contribute to the development of advanced physical models of solar and stellar variability. The work will focus particularly on the representation of faculae, spots, and the photosphere, the connection of StarSim with stellar atmosphere models and radiative or magnetohydrodynamic simulations, and the validation of the models against observational data.

The selected candidate will have the following duties and responsibilities:

  • Develop and refine physically motivated forward models of solar and stellar variability applicable to photometry, radial velocities, and transmission spectroscopy.
  • Incorporate synthetic spectra and one-dimensional and three-dimensional atmosphere models for the quiet photosphere, spots, and faculae into StarSim.
  • Study and model the centre-to-limb dependence of active regions, particularly faculae, and their impact on disc-integrated observables.
  • Establish the connection between StarSim and radiative and magnetohydrodynamic simulations, including models generated with MURaM and related tools.
  • Analyse the dependence of stellar activity signals on effective temperature, metallicity, surface gravity, magnetic field, and other stellar properties.
  • Compare model predictions with high-precision solar and stellar observations in order to validate and calibrate the physical ingredients implemented.
  • Collaborate with the SPOTLESS team on the application of the models to data from ESPRESSO, CARMENES, JWST, PLATO, and other relevant facilities.
  • Contribute to the separation of stellar and planetary signals and to the integration of the physical models with machine-learning-based mitigation strategies.
  • Participate in the development, documentation, verification, and maintenance of the scientific software produced within the project.
  • Prepare scientific articles for international peer-reviewed journals and present the results at scientific conferences and meetings.

Participation requirements and selection criteria

The following criteria will be assessed during the selection process:

  • ­Education: PhD in Physics, Astrophysics, Astronomy, or a closely related scientific discipline.
  • More than 2 years of postdoctoral experience

The following aspects will be considered desirable merits (maximum 20 points):

  • Experience in solar or stellar physics and in modelling magnetic activity, including spots, faculae, or active regions: up to 6 points.
  • Experience in forward modelling of stellar variability applied to photometry, spectroscopy, radial velocities, or transmission spectroscopy: up to 4 points.
  • Knowledge and experience in radiative transfer and one-dimensional or three-dimensional stellar atmosphere modelling: up to 4 points.
  • Experience with magnetohydrodynamic simulations, particularly MURaM or equivalent tools: up to 2 points.
  • Experience in the analysis and interpretation of high-precision solar or stellar data: up to 1.5 points.
  • Scientific software development skills, particularly in Python, Julia, or equivalent programming languages: up to 1.5 points.
  • Track record of scientific publications and experience in international collaborations: up to 1 point.

Selection procedure

Initially, a verification of the requirements of participation will be carried out and a first selection of candidates will be made based on the documents contributed. Next, if necessary, the shortlisted candidates may be called to a personal interview to expand the detailed information in the curriculum and assess aspects related to professional competences.

The evaluation committee for this procedure will consist of:

  1. The Principal Investigator of the SPOTLESS project at the IEEC, or a designated representative.
  2. A researcher from the SPOTLESS scientific team at the IEEC or ICE-CSIC, or a designated representative.
  3. A member of the IEEC scientific or technical staff, or a designated representative.

Interested persons must have the originals of the certificates accrediting the training and work experience mentioned in the curriculum and must submit them if required.

In compliance with the provisions of Article 59 of the TREBEP, concerning the reservation of no less than 7% of vacancies in public employment offers for persons with disabilities, the IEEC will apply this reservation to candidates who certify a disability of 33% or higher, provided that they are suitable for carrying out the functions of the position to be filled.

Contact and deadline

Interested persons who meet the established requirements can send two reference letters, cover letter and the 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_261_2026" in the subject line of the email.

The reception of applications ends on

15/09/2026
Applications that do not meet the requirements included in the cases provided for, or those which are not processed in accordance with the established procedure will not be considered.
In accordance with current regulations on the protection of personal data, we inform you that the personal data contained in your communication relating to this selection procedure will be incorporated into the database of which the IEEC is responsible. The purpose of this treatment is to manage your participation and, where appropriate, the selection of your professional profile in the recruitment processes carried out by the IEEC. Therefore, we will use your data to carry out the contracting processes, to carry out the corresponding interviews, to assess compliance with the requirements for the processes, as well as those actions necessary for the execution of the process and to make effective the recruitment of staff at the IEEC. The basis for the legitimacy of this treatment is your consent, which may be revoked at any time (which means that you will not be able to participate in the selection process in question). The data will be retained during the selection procedure. If you provide us with the data or resume but do not participate in any open recruitment process, do not specify any or have participated in a procedure and have not been selected as a candidate, the IEEC will keep the data for a maximum period of two years., from the date of receipt of the communication, in order to manage your potential participation if any appropriate procedure is opened, eg on your profile. Once this period has elapsed, if you have not been selected and incorporated into the staff of the entity, the IEEC will permanently cancel your personal data. Your personal data will not be transferred to any third party for any purpose, except in cases where it is required by law or by a competent authority. You may exercise, in accordance with the requirements established in current regulations, the rights of access, rectification, deletion, opposition and limitation by sending your request in writing to the registered office of the IEEC (Esteve Terradas 1, RDIT Building, floor 2, Of. 212, 08860 Castelldefels) or by e-mail: protecciodedades@ieec.cat. The applicant must be duly identified in order to process the application. You also have the right to file a complaint with the Catalan Data Protection Authority by writing to C / Rosselló, 214, esc. A, 1r 1a, 08008 Barcelona or at its electronic headquarters (https://seu.apd.cat). You expressly authorize and consent to the processing of your personal data for the purposes mentioned and in accordance with the conditions indicated above.