Job opportunities
Junior researcher on simulation and analysis techniques for exoplanet characterisation
The Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) 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 involvement in the entity.
Introduction
As part of its objective of pushing the frontiers of knowledge, the IEEC has established exoplanet research as one of its lines of activity. IEEC’s exoplanets group is composed of three world-leading senior researchers, plus ~2-3 postdocs, and ~3-5 PhD students. The group is led by Prof. Ignasi Ribas, who is the PI for the CARMENES Legacy-Plus survey and has a prominent role in the Spanish contribution to space missions such as CHEOPS, Ariel and PLATO. To carry out its research activities and fulfil its goals, the group needs to recruit a junior researcher.
Work will be performed at the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) in its location at Institute of Space Sciences (ICE) of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) campus. Due to its global nature, being a member of IEEC allows access to resources in other institutes working in astronomy and space in the Catalan ecosystem, as well as opportunities for extended collaborations. Also, the successful candidate will join the vibrant work environment of the UAB campus and access to all its facilities and services. The IEEC, the ICE, and the exoplanets group follow strict codes of respect and inclusion in all work practices. Women and members from minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Description of position
- Position: Junior researcher on simulation and analysis techniques for exoplanet characterisation
- Professional group: Group III Scientific Staff
- Professional category: undergraduate student
- Working hours: 37.5 per week
- Duration: 10 months
- Working location: In the headquarters of Institute of Space Sciences (ICE, CSIC)located on the Campus of the Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona , C/Can Magrans 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès.
Functions
Stellar activity poses a major limitation to the extraction of exoplanetary signals. An evolving and rotating inhomogeneous stellar surface hampers both the detection of the Keplerian motions of small planets in temperate orbits using Doppler radial velocities and the atmospheric characterization of exoplanets using transit spectroscopy. Our ability to account for these effects relies on modelling all the observables related to stellar activity as a function of time and wavelength.
The successful candidate will help with the development of methodologies to retrieve planetary signals (high-precision radial velocities and transit spectroscopy) from data affected by activity. A significant part of the work will focus on the use of the in-house stellar simulation software StarSim to develop machine learning and algorithmic approaches to the inverse problem. For this, a solid background in Physics, Astronomy, and data analysis techniques is required. The successful candidate will have access to proprietary data from the CARMENES instrument, and potentially also from the CHEOPS mission, and will participate in the definition of the science exploitation of the future Ariel/ESA mission.
Participation requirements and selection criteria
The following criteria will be assessed during the selection process:
The call is aimed at graduate students and undergraduate students within 1 year of finalising their degree in Physics, Astronomy or a related field.
The following aspects will be considered desirable merits:
- Excellent academic record
- Advanced Python programming skills
- Knowledge of statistical data analysis
- Very good English language skills
- Ability to work independently as well as in a team
Contact and deadline
Interested persons who meet the established requirements can send a motivation letter, together with the personal curriculum in PDF format, with their signature, with a brief description of the tasks carried out in the positions previously occupied, to the e-mail address: RecursosHumans@ieec.cat indicating the reference "Surnames and Name – OF_IEEC_104_2023" in the subject line of the email.
The reception of applications ends on June 26th, 2023.
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
Selection procedure
Initially, a verification of the requirements of participation and study of the curriculum will be carried out to assess aspects related to the job to be covered. Next, a first selection of candidates will be made based on the curriculum contributed.
The shortlisted candidates will be called to a personal interview and/or a test to expand the detailed information in the curriculum and assessed aspects related to professional competences.
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.