Open Position Postdoctoral Position for the Gamma-ray group

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.

What will be your role?

The Cherenkov telescopes LST and MAGIC are located at a close enough distance to be able to operate together. For more than two years, joint observations have been made, and the events recorded by each of them are subsequently related. However, recently a system has been put into operation that allows real-time trigger decision using telescope coincidence. The successful candidate is expected to work on preparing DL3 data for these new observations as well as to evaluate the capability of the new system to detect at VHE miniature radio galaxies.

Required skills and evaluation criteria

The successful candidate is expected to have:

• A PhD in Experimental Particle Physics or similar
• Skills to work in an international environment
• Knowledge of python
• Experience on Cherenkov telescope data analysis
• Experience on using and developing software tools related to DL3 format

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

• Scientific excellence based on the CV and possible recommendation letters: 30 points
• Adequacy and interest for the offered position: 20 points
• Previous experience on the field: 20 points
• Previous experience on DL3 format: 20 points
• Previous exposure to international environment: 10 points

Offered contract:

• Full time contract (40 hours/week).
• Temporary contract. The contract will have a duration approximately of six months.
• IFAE Professional category: “Investigador(a) postdoctoral (R2)”.
• Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications within the corresponding category range
• The selected candidate is expected to join IFAE as soon as possible.

Application and Selection process:

Applications should be submitted to blanch@ifae.es stating the job reference (IFAE2024/09_PD_GAMMA) as the Subject of the message. The mail should include a cover letter and an updated CV. The candidates can also arrange for two reference letters. Sending CVs to the above addresses implies consent to the IFAE’s legal warning on data privacy.

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.

According to the laws affecting the public sector, priority will be given to candidates fulfilling the required skills with a current labour relationship with any of the Administrations of the consortium (Generalitat de Catalunya and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona).

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 Oscar Blanch (blanch@ifae.es ) for any questions related to this job opening.