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Research Staff (University Degree) to Study the Dynamics of the Milky Way’s Spiral Arms with Gaia DR4
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 for a position as a university graduate within the Research Area of the Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya.
Description of position
- Positions to be filled: 1. university graduate to study the dynamics of the Milky Way’s spiral arms with Gaia DR4
- Professional group: III. Scientific Staff
- Professional category: University graduate
- Working hours: 37.5 hours/week
- Workplace: Institut de Ciències del Cosmos, Faculty of Physics, University of Barcelona, Carrer Martí i Franquès, 1, 7th floor, 08028 Barcelona.
Functions
The work will involve using Gaia DR4 data to study the dynamics of the Milky Way’s spiral arms and how these dynamics vary across the populations studied.
The selected candidate will have the following duties and responsibilities:
- Select populations of different ages in the Milky Way using Gaia photometric data and data from other catalogues
- Calculate the kinematics of the populations and study overdensities
- Compare results with predictions from hydrodynamical simulations of isolated galaxies formed through the cooling of a gaseous corona
- Document the results for publication
Participation requirements and selection criteria
The following criteria will be assessed during the selection process:
- Education
- Minimum qualification: Master’s degree in Astronomy
- Level C in Catalan and fluent English
- Experience:
- Advanced Python programming skills
- Experience in analysing photometric data (such as IGAPS) and selecting populations and experience in analysing Gaia kinematic data and reference frames
- Experience in analysing hydrodynamical simulations and using the pynbody package
- Knowledge of theories of spiral arm formation and evolution
- Knowledge of the Galaxy’s spiral structure
The following aspects will be considered desirable merits (maximum 20 points):
- Excellent academic record (up to 2 points)
- Master’s degree in Astrophysics (up to 2 points)
- Advanced Python programming skills (up to 2 points)
- Experience in analysing photometric data (such as IGAPS), selecting populations, and analysing Gaia kinematic data and reference frames (up to 2 points)
- Knowledge of statistical data analysis (up to 2 points)
- Experience in analysing hydrodynamical simulations and using the pynbody package (up to 3 points)
- Excellent knowledge of the Galaxy’s spiral structure and theories of spiral arm formation and evolution (up to 3 points)
- Very good command of Catalan and fluent English (up to 2 points)
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team (up to 2 points)
Selection procedure
Initially, compliance with the eligibility requirements will be checked, and an initial selection of candidates will be made based on the documentation submitted.
Candidates who do not meet the requirements set out in the call will not proceed to the next stage, the merit assessment.
Merits will then be assessed, and candidates who do not achieve a minimum score of 10 points will not proceed to the next stage, the personal interview.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a personal interview to expand on the information provided in their CVs and assess aspects related to their professional competencies. If deemed necessary, candidates will be invited to take a written/oral test once the interview round has been completed.
Once the interviews have been completed, the selection committee will meet to assess the different stages of the selection process and issue a report setting out the selection outcome.
The evaluation committee for this procedure will consist of:
- The Principal Investigator of the IEEC’s GAIA project.
- Senior researcher on the Gaia project at the IEEC or their delegate
- Senior researcher on the Gaia project at the IEEC or their delegate
The selection committee will aim to include at least one woman among its members, in order to promote a gender-balanced composition and uphold the principles of equal opportunities and non-discrimination
In all cases, the selection committee will include at least one representative from the IEEC’s Human Resources Office, who will oversee the proper implementation of the selection procedure and ensure compliance with the principles of equal opportunities, transparency, merit and competence.
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.
The IEEC is committed to open, transparent and merit-based recruitment processes, as well as to equal opportunities and non-discrimination. We welcome applications from international candidates and individuals with diverse career paths, including those who have experienced career breaks due to maternity, paternity, caring responsibilities or other personal circumstances, as well as applications from people with disabilities.
In accordance with Article 59 of the Basic Statute of Public Employees (TREBEP), which provides for a minimum reservation of 7% of vacancies in public sector recruitment processes for people with disabilities, the IEEC will apply this reservation to candidates who can demonstrate a disability rating of 33% or higher, provided they are suitable for the duties of the position.
For further information on the IEEC’s Open, Transparent and Merit-Based Recruitment (OTM-R) policy, please consult the Ethics and Integrity section of the IEEC website.https://www.ieec.cat/ieec/etica-i-integritat/
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_271_2026" in the subject line of the email.
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