Job opportunities

Junior researcher to support knowledge transfer for the LISA space mission and initiate the Gaia team on HTC techniques

OF_IEEC_131_2023
Publication date
2023-11-07
Deadline
2023-11-27

IEEC (Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya) was established in February 1996 as a private non-profit foundation (NPO) to promote space R&D in Catalonia. IEEC is a research institute that studies all areas of knowledge and technology 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 and is part of its institutional public sector due to the fact that the Generalitat has a majority stake in the entity.

 

Introduction

The Gaia team at IEEC is deeply involved in the Gaia mission from the European Space Agency (ESA) and in its scientific exploitation. The team is leading the Spanish contribution to Gaia and is composed of more than twenty scientists and engineers working at the Institute of Cosmos Sciences of the University of Barcelona (ICCUB). Due to the extended European consortia in which the team is involved (Gaia), the researcher will have opportunities for international collaborations. Women and members from minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Description of position

  • Position: 1.  junior researcher to support knowledge transfer for the LISA space mission and initiate the Gaia team on HTC techniques
  • Professional group: Group III Scientific staff
  • Professional category:  Advanced degree
  • Working hours:  37,5 hours/week
  • Working location: Institute of Cosmos Sciences (Technological Unit) located in the Barcelona Science Park, Carrer Baldiri Reixac 4-8, Torre D planta 4, 08028 Barcelona

Functions

The Gaia team is investigating the use of High-Throughput Computing (HTC) techniques for some data analysis activities. Besides, engineers of the Gaia team are providing support to some data processing activities for the future LISA mission of the European Space Agency, in the form of knowledge transfer and best practices. The work involved will be the support for the initiation to HTCondor from a user point of view, and the knowledge transfer of LISA preliminary data analysis techniques and tools. The successful candidate will be responsible of:

  • preparing a quick guide to HTCondor from a scientific user perspective
  • collecting and documenting the software tools already available for LISA simulations or data analysis tests, as well as the envisaged techniques that may be applicable to LISA
  • providing support to Gaia engineers in the understanding of preliminary data analysis techniques envisaged for LISA

Participation requirements and selection criteria

  • Training: The call is aimed at degree in Physics.
  • Knowledge: Experience in running scientific pipelines in HTCondor; knowledge and experience in LISA mock data challenges, simulations and preliminary data analysis techniques

The following aspects will be considered desirable merits:­

  • Excellent academic record
  • Degree in Physics with focus on high energy physics or gravitational waves
  • Good knowledge of the LISA and Gaia missions
  • Experience in HTCondor
  • Experience in LISA mock data challenges or simulations
  • 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 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/131/2023" in the subject line of the email.

The reception of applications ends on

27/11/2023
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.

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.

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.