The IAC (Tenerife) announces ONE postdoctoral contract to work in the framework of the project “Anisotropies of the Cosmic Microwave Background: LSPE-STRIP” (P.I. Dr. José Alberto Rubiño-Martin and Dr. Ricardo T. Génova Santos), with funding from the “Agreement between IAC, UniMi and INFN for the operation of LSPE-STRIP” (P/301503), the PID2020-120514GB-I00 and the ProID2020010108 projects.

Research topics at the IAC include most areas of astrophysics: Solar Physics (FS), Exoplanetary System and Solar System (SEYSS), Stellar and Interstellar Physics (FEEI), The Milky Way and The Local Group (MWLG), Formation and Evolution of Galaxies (FYEG), and Cosmology and Astroparticles (CYA-CTA). All of these are supported by an ambitious instrumentation programme. In 2020, the IAC was granted by the Spanish Government the status of Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence, a prestigious recognition awarded for the third time to the IAC as a leading research institute in Spain. Further information about the IAC's research programme, its Observatories and the 10.4m GTC is available at the IAC's web page: https://www.iac.es/

Tasks: The successful candidate will pursue research in the following fields:

• Participation in the LSPE-STRIP experiment dedicated to measurements of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization. Contribute to the preparation of the commissioning phase and measurement campaign at the Teide Observatory. Preparation of joint analysis of the STRIP and QUIJOTE data sets.
• Study of the atmospheric effects expected in the STRIP data, optimization of the STRIP observation strategy for atmospheric measurements. Preparation of a joint analysis of QUIJOTE and STRIP atmospheric data. Analysis of the atmospheric contribution using the first data of the STRIP experiment. Multi-frequency correlations, comparison with theoretical atmospheric models.
•  Preparation to joint analysis of STRIP and QUIJOTE astrophysical data. Cross-correlation of the maps of the two experiments, in the same areas of the sky. Study of the contribution of polarized synchrotron foreground and other foregrounds. Component separation techniques and extraction of the common signal.
• Characterization of the beam pattern of the QUIJOTE and STRIP experiments using drone-mounted receivers at the observing site. Optimization of the beam measurement strategy and data analysis. Comparison with optical modeling and scientific implications.
• Participation in the commissioning of the STRIP experiment, analysis of the first-light data in Q and W band. Characterization of the instrument noise properties, optical quality. Assessment of systematic effects: local interferences, ground spillover, side-lobe pickup, leakage from intensity to polarization. Calibration with celestial sources.
• Act as a contact between the IAC group and the rest of the STRIP collaboration.

The following topics will be highly valued:

Particular attention will be given to applicants with experience in the field of observational cosmology and CMB research.

Requirements: The candidates must have an excellent research record, commensurate with the duration of their research career. They must be in possession of a Ph.D. degree in Astrophysics or Physics by the application deadline: candidates who have not received their doctorate before the deadline will be not be admitted to the selection process. The IAC is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage, in particular, applications by women and by members of minorities.

Selection process: The selection process consists of two phases: merit assessment and interview.

1. First phase: merit assessment. The Selection Panel will verify and rate the merits documented by the applicants. The maximum score that can be awarded in this phase is 80 points, calculated as the sum of the scores obtained in each of the following two sections.

a)  CV (maximum score: 60 points). Main criteria will be:

• Scientific and technical contributions to the field of research, especially those listed in the Science Citation Index, in relation to the duration of the candidate’s scientific career. Of special importance are the first-authored papers by the candidate;
• Appointments and stays (at the PhD or postdoctoral level) in prestigious research institutions.
• Conference contributions, especially those leading to publications;
• Other indicators of research activity and motivation (like invitations to lectures, organization of meetings, and teaching at University level);
• Any periods of inactivity for medical reasons, maternity/paternity leaves, elderly care, or due to training or professional experience in other fields will be taken into account.

b)  Adequacy to the objectives of the contract (maximum score 20 points)

Adequacy of the candidate’s training and experience to this contract:

• Expertise in instrument characterization, data reduction, data processing and/or data analysis of CMB experiments, or in general, of radio and/or sub-mm telescopes.
• Expertise with the analysis and management of large data sets.
• Physics of Galactic foregrounds (thermal dust, synchrotron, spinning dust), including their polarization. Physics of the CMB polarization.
• Statistical tools for the analysis and exploitation of CMB data. Component separation techniques and cross-correlation tools.
• Standard CMB software packages, like HEALPix. Expertise in coding up software for the analysis and exploitation of CMB data.

Form of accreditation for both sections: A report of the candidate's technical and research activity, accompanied by documentation accrediting the activities mentioned.

2) Second phase: interview. (maximum score 20 points)

• Candidates who have obtained at least 50 points in the first phase will be invited to an interview. The interview may be given in either Spanish or English (as chosen by the candidate) and take place using internet communication software (Zoom) that allows voice and image transmission.
• During the interview, the candidate will present, for a maximum of 10 minutes, his/her vision about the suitability of his/her professional profile to the position and the planned research activity if awarded the contract. The presentation may be followed by questions by the Selection Committee.

Of the maximum 20 points to be awarded:

• Up to 10 points correspond to the suitability of the candidate’s profile to the position
• Up to 10 points correspond to the candidate's vision for their future research activity.

To pass the second phase a minimum score of 15 points will be necessary.

To pass the selective process, a minimum of 65 points must be reached. If there is a draw in the score of two or more candidates, priorities will be set according to the Equality Plan of the IAC.

Training: Candidates who have obtained their doctorate at the IAC must provide accreditation of a period of complementary training at other research centres. The required period is a full continuous year or 18 accumulated months (including periods of training during the doctoral studies stage and after obtaining the Ph.D. degree, but not periods prior to the predoctoral contract at the IAC).

Duration: The appointments will be for an indefinitive time. The incorporation date will take place during the second half of 2022. The current time horizon of the contract financing is 1.5 years.

Remuneration: The gross annual salary will be 35.820 Euros, with deductions of up to 20% for income tax (IRPF) and social security (dependent on the candidate's personal situation). The contract provides social security cover for spouse or de facto partner and children.

Extra financial support to start the contract: The present job offer includes financial support related to the incorporation of the selected candidate at the IAC. These expenses must be included in the following categories, and within the period of 14 days immediately prior to the start date of the contract: 1) Air or boat ticket from the place of residence to Tenerife (arranged by the IAC). The price of the ticket will be at the cheapest rate. 2) Accommodation expenses for two weeks (13 nights), also arranged by the IAC, and a per diem of 37,40 euros x 14 days, no other expenses will be reimbursed.

Applicants from outside the EU: Successful applicants who are not citizens of a member country of the European Union must keep in mind that, prior to signing the contract, they must obtain a residence and work permit (NIE card) from the Spanish immigration authorities.

Presentation of applications: Applications must be sent electronically via the web-based application system https://iac.sede.gob.es/procedimientos/portada/idp/390/language/en before the deadline set out in this advertisement. Alternatively, you may follow the instructions given in the corresponding official advertisement on our website.

The following documentation must be sent:

• Application: including the name and position code (PS-2022-039)
• Copy of a valid passport or national identity card
• Cover Letter
• CV, containing a list of publications (NO amendment allowed)
• Report on research activity and justification of suitability for the job -not exceeding 2 pages- (NO amendment allowed).
• Copy of your degree or corresponding stamped certificate, issued on behalf of the University where you have obtained the degree (in Spanish or English) (NO amendment allowed)
• Certificate of training in other centers (only for applicants that have completed their doctorate at the IAC).

You should also include the names and email addresses of two or three scientists familiar with your work.

Applications submitted after the deadline will be automatically rejected, as will those unaccompanied by a Curriculum Vitae, Research Activity Report, copy of the Degree or the Scientific Project to be developed (in the case of PD Astrophysics calls), documents that cannot be corrected or added to after submission. Applications not accompanied by these documents will therefore definitely be excluded from the selection process.

If any other enquired documents are omitted, they will have to be submitted within a period of five (5) working days after publication of the provisional list of admitted and excluded candidates.

The IAC supports and adheres to the Recommendation of the European Commission 2005/251/EC of March 11th 2005 on “The European Charter for Researchers” and “The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers” adopted by the European Commission. Additionally, the IAC is aligned with the "Human Resources Strategy for Researchers" (HRS4R) fostered by the European Commission to support the implementation of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (C&C), having received recognition from the European Commission, with the award of the distinction "Excellence in Human Resources in Research".

Application deadline: JULY 15, 2022

Contact: For further information about the scientific aspects of this opening, please contact the head of the project at the IAC, Dr. Jose Alberto Rubiño Martin (jalberto at iac.es) or Dr. Ricardo Genova Santos (rgs at iac.es)