Open Position Postdoctoral Position for the Gamma-ray group within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan – Funded by the European Union – Next Generation

About IFAE

The Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) is a public consortium of Generalitat de Catalunya, the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB, a public university) whose main goal is to carry out research and to contribute to the development of high energy physics from a theoretical, experimental and technological point of view. IFAE has the status of a “University Institute" attached to UAB and its premises are within the campus of the university.

About the Gamma-ray group

The gamma-ray astrophysics group at IFAE has been having a leading role in the construction and commissioning of the first of the four large-size telescopes (LSTs) of CTA-North. In particular, IFAE has led the coordination, design and integration of the LST cameras. The LSTs are 23-m diameter dish telescopes, the first of them already in operation at the Observatorio el Roque de los Muchachos (ORM). The construction of the other three LSTs has also started. IFAE also coordinates the development of the analysis software for the LST, and is a contributor to the Data Processing and Preservation System work package of CTA, in the areas of calibration and event reconstruction pipelines. IFAE is also one of the founding members of the MAGIC collaboration, which successfully operates the twin MAGIC gamma-ray telescopes at the ORM since 2003. IFAE designed and built the camera of the first MAGIC telescope together with a significant part of the data acquisition electronics for both MAGIC telescopes. Our group is also responsible for the science data center of the MAGIC collaboration, located at the neighboring Port d’Informació Cientìfica (PIC). We are also very active on science exploitation, participating in all MAGIC physics working groups and leading several of the first scientific results produced with LST data.

Required skills and evaluation criteria

The successful candidate is expected to have:

• A PhD in Experimental Particle Physics or similar obtained in the last 4 years
• Skills to work in an international environment
• Knowledge of python
• Interest on hardware development

The evaluation criteria and their weighting for the submitted applications will be the following:

• Scientific excellence based on the CV and recommendation letters: 30%
• Adequation and interest for the offered position: 15%
• Previous experience on the field: 15%
• Previous experience on hardware development or evaluation: 15%
• Software skills: 15%
• Previous exposure to international environment: 10%

What will be your role?

The successful candidate is expected to work on the R&D for a SiPM based camera fulfilling the requirements of the Large Size Telescope of CTA and the development of CTA analysis pipelines to be tested in the analysis of LST data. Both tasks will allow the candidate to join the LST Collaboration and have access to the data taken with the LST telescopes for scientific exploitation. The particular tasks that are expected to be finished are: Analyze the data extracted from the preliminary set-up done to understand the feedback loop of the SiPM to keep their gain stable for different temperature and illumination levels. Automatize the evaluation of the data quality of the LST-1 observation runs, and the selection of the runs (or observation time intervals) that can be passed on to the following analysis stages. Assess the systematic uncertainties in higher-level data products (energy spectra, light curves) depending on the strictness of the run selection. The time estimated to fulfil the tasks is about 1.5 years and they are part of the action line 2 (developments of instrumentation for astrtophysics) of the project Advances technologies for the exploration of the Universe.

Offered contract:

At least 1 position. A Full-time (40h/week) position with a temporary contract Recovery plan linked to the project “Advances technologies for the exploration of the Universe and its components, of the area of Astrophysics and High Energy Physics”, within the frame of the R+D+I Complementary Plans of the Spanish Government. There will be a trial period of 6 months.

The position will correspond to ““Postdoctoral Junior” within the IFAE professional categories. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications within the corresponding category range.

Flexible schedule. Work with interesting science experimental projects (scientific instrumentation, detectors, satellite systems, telescope systems, small experiments). Travelling to scientific singular infrastructures. Opportunity to gain experience learning first-hand. Personal growth, innovation, and learning every day.

Application and Selection process:

Applications should be submitted to jobs@ifae.es stating the job reference (IFAE2023/26_PD_GAMMA) as the Subject of the message. The mail should include a cover letter and an updated CV. The candidates should also arrange for two reference letters. Sending CVs to the above address implies consent to the legal warning at the bottom of IFAE’s Home Page.

The application must contain a personal identification number (DNI, NIE or passport) in order to proceed to the verification of absence of conflict of interest required by Recovery and Resilience Mechanism of the Spanish Government.

IFAE is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace and social integration of people with a disability. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. People from groups that are typically underrepresented in the labour market in general and in Science and Engineering in particular, such as women, minorities, or people with a disability, are particularly encouraged to apply.

You may contact jobs@ifae.es , Oscar Blanch (blanch@ifae.es ) or Abelardo Moralejo (moralejo@ifae.es ) for any questions related to this job opening.

A Selection Committee will evaluate the received applications. If more than one candidate seems equally suitable for the position, the Selection Committee will arrange an on-line interview with each one of them as part of the Selection process.

In compliance with article 121 of the Spanish Public Sector Legal Regime Act, staff with a pre-existing relationship with the Consortium administration (Generalitat de Catalunya and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) will have priority in the awarding of the position.

Funding Statement

This contract is part of the project Advances technologies for the exploration of the Universe and its components, of the area of Astrophysics and High Energy Physics, within the frame of the R+D+I Complementary Plans of the Spanish Government that are part component 17 of the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism. This contract is funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU (MICINN/PRTR funds) and by Generalitat de Catalunya.