The EU-funded Doctoral Network EDUCADO (Exploring the Deep Universe by Computational Analysis of Data from Observations) invites applications for 11 junior scientist (PhD candidate) positions for its program on Galaxy Evolution and Big Data, where astronomers and computer scientists work together on big data algorithms, and apply them to the study of the formation and evolution of galaxies. The research will be carried out at nine European institutes in astronomy, computer science, and data science. Each position includes mandatory secondments of 3-6 months at another academic institution, and of typically two months at an associated partner in the private or public sector. The individual PhD-projects, the supervisory teams, PhD-awarding institutions and secondment/internship locations are described on the EDUCADO web pages. Start dates for all positions is between June and September 2023.

EDUCADO is an interdisciplinary network of research groups in astronomy, computer science and data science in Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom funded by the EU as a Horizon Europe MSCA DN project (101119830). We aim to train PhD candidates in the development of a variety of high-quality methods, needed to address the formation of the faintest structures in the Universe. We will detect unprecedented numbers of the faintest observable galaxies from new large-area surveys, study the morphology, populations, and distribution of large samples of various classes of dwarf galaxies and compare dwarf galaxy populations and properties across different environments. We will confront the results with cosmological models of galaxy formation and evolution. Finally, we will perform detailed, principled, and robust simulations and observations of the Milky Way and the Local Group to compare with dwarf galaxies in other environments. EDUCADO will deliver a comprehensive interdisciplinary, intersectoral, and international training programme, and provide a fresh way of training PhD candidates with interdisciplinary and intersectoral data science expertise.

Special for this network is that the PhD candidates are trained in two fields - computer science and astronomy, and scientific collaborations between the nodes are strongly encouraged. The techniques that we develop (in machine learning and mathematical morphology) will be applied to problems in galaxy evolution, as well as other fields.

Details of the available positions can be consulted on our webpage, https://research.iac.es/proyecto/educado/ . The duration of the employment contracts will be 36 months, with extensions to 48 months possible for several of the positions. Financial conditions and benefits are excellent, and include generous mobility and living allowance, following EU guidelines. Generous funding is available to support attendance at training schools, conferences, and the mandatory secondments. We invite applicants from all nationalities, although EU rules on research experience and mobility apply, as outlined on our website.  Applicants need to have finished the equivalent of a Master’s degree in astrophysics, computer science, or a related field of study by the start of their contract, but may not have successfully defended a doctoral thesis. Selection criteria will include academic record, research experience and interests, motivation letter, supporting statements by referees, and performance at online or in-person interview.

Applications need to be submitted by 15 December 2023 at https://forms.office.com/e/Dqkktgye8i

EDUCADO is committed to equal opportunities and will recruit exclusively on merit.