Open Position Predoctoral Position in Multi-messenger Astronomy 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.

Port d’Informació Científica (PIC)

Port d’Informació Científica (PIC) is a scientific-technological center specialized in developing advanced tools and methods for scientific data analysis. We participate in research projects from multiple disciplines with challenging data environments, including particle physics, astrophysics, biology, materials science and others. Our main objective is to accelerate research by making data analysis more effective through the use of Machine Learning, High-Throughput Computing and Big Data techniques using distributed computing to support collaborative research.

Required skills

You will work as a researcher within a Multi-messenger analysis platform project. Your job will consist in:

• Developing a next generation Multi-messenger data platform.
• Interacting with the PIC computer engineers to establish the protocols to efficiently transfer and ingest Multi-messenger data from several sources (optical, gravitational wave and neutrino data) into the PIC Big Data platform. You will have the support of the Operations and Services teams at PIC and access to their expert knowledge in production services and systems administration. In turn, we expect from you:

Degree and area of specialization

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, Computer Science, Data Science, or a closely related discipline.
• Specialization in fields related to: Astronomy and Astrophysics, data science with experience handling diverse data types, Computational Science, Physics.
• Excellent grades
• Experience in programming languages such as Python, C++, or Java as well as with software development tools and version control systems.
• Knowledge of data management practices and experience with databases
• Familiarity with data analysis techniques and tools
• Familiarity with different types of astronomical data
• Good English knowledge
• Ability to document protocols and procedures clearly and concisely

Contract details

The recruiting center will be the Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE). The place of work will be the headquarters of PIC at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (https://www.pic.es ) At least 1 position. A Full-time (40h/week) position with an “actividades científico-técnicas” contract (article 23-bis of the Spanish Act 14/2011, Ley de la ciencia, la tecnología y la innovación) linked to the project Advanced technologies for the exploration of the Universe and its components, of the area of Astrophysics and High Energy Physics (Action Line 8: Computing, big data and artificial intelligence) 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. There will be a 2 months trial period. IFAE’s Labour category: Predoctoral Researcher Junior. Gross salary will be within the range of this category 20.000,00 euros per year in accordance with the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate. The selected candidate is expected to join IFAE in July.

Applications and Selection process

Applications should be submitted to carretero@pic.es stating the job reference 2024_23:PIC2024-PCMM-L8-2 as the Subject of the message. The mail should include their updated CV, including a full list of University grades. Sending CV to the above address implies consent to the legal warning at IFAE’s Home Page. 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. Deadline: July, 18 You may contact carretero@pic.es for any question related to this job opening. A Selection Committee will evaluate the received applications. If more than one candidate seem 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.

Funding Statement

This position is part of IFAE’s Hadron Colliders research line within 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. The contract will be funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU and by the Department of Research and Universities of the Catalan Government.