Job opportunities
Researcher in training with experience in Xspec and artificial intelligence.
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 the selection process of a candidate to fill a researcher in training position assigned to the Research Area of the Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC).
Objective 2 of the research project involves analysing data and publishing results in the gamma-ray and X-ray domains. This includes analysing Fermi data, with an emphasis on black hole X-ray binaries (BHXRBs) and active galactic nuclei (AGNs); accessing certain non-public datasets, such as Chandra data during the first-year proprietary period, through our collaboration with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics; analysing data from Chandra, NuSTAR, XMM-Newton, XRISM, and Einstein Probe, with a focus on BHXRBs and AGNs; developing artificial intelligence tools for the spectral and timing analysis of X-ray data; and applying for observing time on telescopes operating at optical, infrared, and radio wavelengths, where necessary, to complement the scientific analysis. These analyses are expected to lead to the publication of results in leading scientific journals and their presentation at major international conferences in the field.
Description of position
- Positions to be filled: 1. Researcher in training with experience in Xspec and artificial intelligence.
- Professional group: group 3 personal researcher
- Professional category: Researcher in training
- Working hours: 37.5 hours/week
- Workplace location: CERES-IEEC, Departament of Physics of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Faculty of Science.
Functions
The IEEC is seeking a predoctoral researcher to analyse data from Fermi, Chandra, NuSTAR, XMM-Newton, and XRISM, and to develop software implementing artificial intelligence tools for the spectral and timing analysis of X-ray and, potentially, infrared data.
The selected candidate will have the following duties and responsibilities:
- Accessing certain non-public datasets, such as Chandra data during the first-year proprietary period, through our collaboration with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
- Analysing data from Chandra, NuSTAR, XMM-Newton, XRISM, and Einstein Probe, with a particular focus on black hole X-ray binaries (BHXRBs) and active galactic nuclei (AGNs), using data-reduction and analysis tools, especially Xspec.
- Developing artificial intelligence tools for the spectral and timing analysis of X-ray data, using frameworks such as pytorch to build neural networks, with an emphasis on autoencoders, transformers, simulation-based inference, transfer learning, and neural-network optimisation.
- Applying for observing time on telescopes operating at optical, infrared, and radio wavelengths, where necessary, to complement the scientific analysis.
- Publishing the results in scientific journals.
- Providing occasional support with data-acquisition activities using the Raman lidar currently being built by the group.
Participation requirements and selection criteria
The following criteria will be assessed during the selection process:
- Education: Minimum degree of master in physics or astrophysics
The following aspects will be considered desirable merits (max 20 points):
- Experience working with XSPEC (5 points).
- Experience in data analysis (3 points).
- Experience using Python and LaTeX (2 points).
- Experience with probabilistic methods and artificial intelligence (5 points).
- Experience presenting scientific results (2 points).
- Proficiency in written and spoken English (3 points).
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.
- a) The Principal Investigator of the IEEC High- and Very-High-Energy Astronomy Project, or a person delegated by them.
- b) Senior Researcher of the IEEC High- and Very-High-Energy Astronomy Project, or a person delegated by them.
- c) Senior Lecturer at the UAB, or a person delegated by them.
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 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_264_2026" in the subject line of the email.
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.
The reception of applications ends on