PhD position at the ICCUB Physical Cosmology group
Descripción/Description:
Unveiling the nature of these dark sector components represents the next frontier in fundamental physics. The next-generation galaxy surveys, such as DESI will play a crucial role.
The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) will collect optical spectra for tens of millions of galaxies and quasars to create the largest 3D map of the evolved Universe spanning the last 11 billion light years. Exploiting the statistical properties of this map, we can infer the underlying physics of the Universe. DESI has already started collecting spectra in 2020 and is expected to continue to do so for another 4 years at least. Several intermediate data releases and publication of cosmological results are expected. In particular DESI is expected to produce data on a timescale shorter than the studentship offering a unique opportunity to exploit this data. The student will have access to these non-public datasets to develop their research in some of the following topics: better understanding the properties of General Relativity at cosmic scales, unveiling the properties of dark energy, measuring the growth of cosmic structure, detecting a neutrino mass signature, or detecting a primordial cosmological perturbations signature. The research on any of these areas is expected to have a massive impact along this decade and will contribute to answering the big open puzzles introduced above.
The student will join the research group led by Dr. Licia Verde, Dr. Hector Gil-Marin, and will work alongside the rest of the team to develop the appropriate techniques to be applied to DESI data to perform any of the research topics mentioned above. The student will have the opportunity to be fully involved with the cosmological interpretation and publication of the results.
Description of the group:
The ICCUB Physical Cosmology group has been studying connections between theory and observations - via interpretation of data - since 2007. Our main research interest is making the link between cosmological observations and theoretical physics beyond the standard cosmological model, hoping to shed some light on the “open questions” in cosmology, whose members of the group have actively contributed to. These are questions such as, what are the properties of dark matter, what is dark energy, which is the mass of the neutrinos or whether there is new physics beyond the standard model of cosmology. Our collective expertise ranges from galaxy evolution to inflation model building, but our main strengths are in analysis and interpretation of large-scale structure surveys. Members of the group are involved in the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). The group offers a diverse and vibrant learning and research environment.
Description of the members of the group.
Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument
Requirements:
· Who can apply?
Applicants may be all those who are enrolled or admitted to a doctoral program at the University of Barcelona for the 2023/2024 academic year, at the time of the application submission. Applicants may also be all those people who, even though at the time of the application submission are not enrolled or admitted to a doctoral program, they will be on the date the contract is formalized.
Applications must be submitted online through this link. The complete application consists of a research statement, a curriculum vitae including publications and grade transcripts. The candidates should also provide the email addresses of at least two contacts who can submit a supporting letter of reference. These will be contacted automatically once the application is submitted.
Employment conditions:
· Which is the salary?
The minimum salary compensation that researchers in training must receive will be around 17.700 euros gross per year for each of the first two years, 19.000 for the third year and 23.700 for the fourth year.
You will also get an additional funding of 6.860€ that you will be able to spend on tuition or research visits, for example.
· What is the duration of the contract?
A maximum of four years.
More information here
Contract funded by PID2022-141125NB-I00, Cosmología precisa y las leyes de la naturaleza
About the Institute of Cosmos Sciences:
The ICCUB is an interdisciplinary center with more than 60 long term scientists, 20 engineers and 80 postdoctoral researchers (55% international) and PhD students (30%international) offering an international and multicultural environment. The ICCUB also hosts a vibrant fundamental research program in cosmology, astrophysics and particle physics, with a strong technology unit supporting our participation in international collaborations in observational astronomy and experimental particle physics.
As part of the University of Barcelona, the ICCUB is a recipient of the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) Award, which recognises, among other achievements, respect for equal opportunities and the capacity to attract talent in a positive working environment that promotes the pursuit of successful research careers. The ICCUB respects the principles of open, transparent, merit-based selection. We strongly encourage women and underrepresented minorities in physical sciences to apply. For additional information please see the Diversity, equity and inclusion Commission.
The ICCUB is located in Barcelona, considered the 8th World's Best Cities 2021: one with near-perfect weather year-round, miles and miles of beaches, iconic parks, striking architecture and colourful neighbourhoods that march to their own beat—artistic, sophisticated, bohemian. Moreover, it is a pole of attraction for the technology sector, a top choice to establish a company in this sector, and it hosts some of the world's major technological events, such as the Mobile World Congress and the Smart City Expo. In addition, Barcelona and its metropolitan area is a leading destination on the map of global technological ecosystems and has infrastructures such as science parks, universities and the 22@ district.