Open Position PhD Student Opportunities in Observational Cosmology at IFAE

About IFAE

The Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) is a public consortium of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB, a public university) whose main objective 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 the UAB and its premises are within the campus of the University.

About the Observational Cosmology group

The High Energy Physics Institute in Barcelona (IFAE) announces the opening of one PhD Student Positions in the Observational Cosmology group. IFAE is a worldwide-recognized center for fundamental research in Particle Physics, Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology, and provides an international, dynamic, and competitive environment for training of young researchers. The IFAE Cosmology group is presently formed by 5 faculty, 7 post-docs and 7 students and is a full member of the Euclid Consortium and the Dark Energy Science Collaboration (DESC) of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) at the Vera Rubin Observatory, as well as the Dark Energy Survey (DES), the PAU Survey Collaboration, the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). The group plays leading roles in the analysis of all the surveys it participates.

Required skills and evaluation criteria

The successful candidate will be expected to have:

• A Master in Physics
• Knowledge of Linux and strong programming skills (preferentially Python)
• Experience in data analysis of large spectroscopic surveys of galaxies
• Experience in numerical simulations of galaxy surveys
• Experience in Machine Learning algorithms for observational cosmology
• Skills to work in an international environment

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

• Academic record; 20 points
• Experience in the subject; 30 points
• Letters of recommendation: 30 points
• Work plan and motivation: 20 points

What will be your role?

The successful candidate will contribute to the study of the origin, evolution, and fate of the universe and to shed light on the nature of the mysterious dark energy that causes the accelerated expansion of the universe by contributing to the scientific exploitation of the Euclid satellite which, after its launch on July 1st, 2023, is now progressing with its survey plan.

Offered contract:

• Full-time contract (40 hours/week).
• Internship Contract (1 year maximum) + then Predoctoral Contract; It will last approximately 4 years maximum.
• The position will correspond to “Research Technician” and later to “Predoctoral Researcher (R1)” within the professional categories of the IFAE.
• Salary will be proportional to experience and qualifications within the corresponding category range.
• Work with interesting experimental science. Travelling to scientific singular infrastructures. Opportunity to gain experience learning first-hand. Personal growth, innovation, and learning every day.
• The selected candidate is expected to join the IFAE as soon as possible.

Application and Selection process:

Applications should be submitted to Cristobal Padilla Cristobal.Padilla@ifae.es , Marc Manera mmanera@ifae.es , Student.Cosmo@ifae.es and rrhh@ifae.es stating the job reference (IFAE2024/44_COSMOLOGY_PhDStudent) as the subject of the message. The mail should include a cover letter and an updated CV. The candidates can also arrange for up to two reference letters. Sending CVs to the above addresses implies consent to the IFAE’s legal warning on data privacy.

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.

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.

You may contact Cristobal Padilla Cristobal.Padilla@ifae.es and Marc Manera mmanera@ifae.es ) for any questions related to this job opening.

Funding Statement