Research fellowship (PhD-level) positions in the field of planetary systems

Ref: IA2015-02-BI

The Centro de Investigação em Astronomia/Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto (CAUP) open a call for up-to 2 research fellowships (Bolsa de Investigação – Mestre) in the field of planetary systems at the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA).

The position is offered in the context of the project UID/FIS/04434/2013 with financial support provided by the FCT/MEC through national funds and co-funded by FEDER under the PT2020 agreement, when applicable.

The Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA) assembles more than two-thirds of all active researchers working in Space Sciences in Portugal, and is responsible for an even greater fraction of the national productivity in international ISI journals in this area. The research and development effort at the IA includes most of the topics at the forefront of research in Astrophysics and Space Sciences, complemented by work on instrumentation and systems with potential use in Astronomy and Astrophysics. Excellent candidates whose research can be identified with the following topics, will be welcomed.

The positions, with a duration of 1 year renewable up to 3 years, are open in the field of planetary systems, and are to be started from the 1st of October 2015. The fellowship renewal is pending on a favorable interim evaluation of the project UID/FIS/04434/2013.

The fellowship contract will comply with the 'Regulamento de Bolsas e Investigação da Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia' existing and 'Lei nº 40/2004, de 18 de Agosto (Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação Científica)'. According to the rules of the FCT, the monthly allowance will be €980 (tax free) and will be paid monthly by bank transfer (preferred). Funds for traveling (conferences, collaborations, observing missions) are also available. The work plan is to be carried out in IA, in the Porto or Lisbon offices.

The successful candidates are expected to pursue research on topics relevant to the participation of the team in several strategic projects such as ESPRESSO@VLT, CHEOPS-ESA, PLATO2.0-ESA, and Spirou@CFHT, including:

• Study of stellar sources of noise for precise radial velocity and photometric planet search and characterization projects;
• Derivation of precise stellar parameters and abundances for stars with planetary companions;
• Solar system and extra-solar planet atmosphere studies using high-resolution spectroscopy.

The students will be required to enroll on a PhD program at the IA host Universities, University of Porto or University of Lisboa. The yearly renewal of the fellowship will take into account the successful completion of the PhD program milestones as well as on the overall performance.

Application
The application, to be submitted using the web form below, should include the following information:

• Cover letter with a brief description of the candidate's experience and motivation;
• Curriculum Vitae (up to 4 pages) including, if available, a complete list of scientific publications (up to 1 additional page);
• A complete list of academic courses (University level) previously followed, and respective grades;
• Name and contact details (position, email, address) of two referees, available to provide information about the candidate (to be contacted if considered necessary to clarify the information provided in the remaining documents).

Applications will be accepted from the 4th of June to the 5th of July 2015.

Selection criteria
The applicant must have completed a master degree. Only applications from candidates having an adequate background in Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, or other relevant domains, will be considered.

• Cover letter (10%);
• CV, including degrees, marks and contents of curricular units completed (70%);
• Relevance and success of previous research experience (20%).

A short-list of candidates will be defined in the first stage of the evaluation based on the submitted documents and the criteria mentioned above. The short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview for the second stage of the evaluation (by teleconference or videoconference if needed). Following the second stage of evaluation the contracts will be offered according to the ordering proposed by the selection committee.

The positions will be granted only if suitable candidates are found.

For inquires please contact Dr. Nuno C. Santos.

Selection Committee
Nuno C. Santos
Pedro Figueira
Sérgio A. G. Sousa
João J. G. Lima
José Afonso

Publication Date
20th May 2015

The period for application submission has ended for this opportunity.