The IAC (Tenerife) announces ONE postdoctoral contract to work on the project linked to the line of research “Exoplanets and Astrobiology: preparatory science for the ARIEL mission”. The contract is funded by the project “Science and Technology for the Ariel Mission: IAC Contribution” (PID2021-125627OB-C32), led by Prof. Enric Palle.

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/en

Tasks: The “Exoplanets and Astrobiology” group at IAC participates in the Guaranteed Time Observations (GTO) programs of the MUSCAT2 collaboration, the CHEOPS satellite and the CARMENES and ESPRESSO spectrographs. We have a leading role in the development of the ARIEL and PLATO space missions, as well as the ANDES spectrograph for the ELT. Finally, we are also involved in the follow-up of the TESS mission, and have a lively research team in the area of planetary atmospheres characterization

The successful candidate will pursue research in the following fields:

• Characterization of exoplanet atmospheres by means of high-resolution spectroscopy using spectrographs such as HARPS-N, GIANO, CARMENES and/or ESPRESSO, or by means of low resolution spectrographs using 8-10 m class telescopes.
• Analysis and observations of exoplanets with the JWST, and the use of molecular mapping for the analysis of atmospheres of giant planets with the JWST.
• Biomarkers and habitability of Earth-like planets

Particular attention will be given to applicants with experience in the field of exoplanet characterization, with a strong publication record. The leadership capacity, demonstrated in the achievement of original lines of research, successful observing proposals or by obtaining funding will also be valued.

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 not be admitted to the selection process. Applicants who prepared their thesis at the IAC have to present accreditations of complementary training at other research centers (this period should be either 1 continuous year or 18 accumulated months) by the application deadline. The IAC is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage, in particular, applications by women and by members of minorities.