Application: https://www.uam.es/uam/investigacion/ofertas-empleo/contrato-conjuntajulio2024regional-dj

The Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM, Spain), invites applications for ONE post-doctoral candidate to work on topics within the “Illuminating the dark sector of the Universe” ATCAM project (2019-T1/TIC-12702), led by Dr. Violeta Gonzalez-Perez.

The work will be developed within the Department of Theoretical Physics at UAM. This department – in which the computational astrophysics and cosmology group is embedded – provides a highly vibrant research environment ranging from particle physics, both theoretical and experimental, nuclear physics, galactic & extra-galactic astrophysics and cosmology. More than 50 scientists work on a variety of topics (in addition to about 30 PhD students).

In this framework, we offer a post-doctoral position to study theoretically how galaxies trace the dark sector. Future cosmological surveys target different types of galaxies that are visible for a large time span, from about a tenth up to half of the age of the Universe (eBOSS, Euclid, DESI). Most of the galaxies targeted by current and future cosmological surveys are either forming stars at a high rate or they harbour a very active black hole. This project will explore how these different types of galaxies trace dark matter and how their evolution can harness the properties of dark energy. The results from this work will support the success of space missions, such as Euclid (launched in 2022), and ground telescopes, such as the DESI (which started during 2021). Investments of millions of euros have been made in these and other surveys and missions, such eBOSS, Roman Telescope, LSST, etc.

This project will involve the analysis of very large data sets, produced in super computing facilities. The candidate is expected to develop a machine learning technique to find the best set of parameteres for galaxy models, that reproduce a set of observations spanning different cosmic times. The position is essentially theoretical with a strong focus on simulations and models.

The selected candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Violeta Gonzalez-Perez (violeta.gonzalez@uam.es), who has done extensive research on galaxy formation and evolution in a cosmological context.

For your application, please include a one page cover letter, a CV, the names of three people that could provide references when requested, publication list and a research statement (no more than 3 pages). Your cover letter should briefly describe your past and current research interests and why you are interested in joining our group. Your CV should include the experience and skills relevant to this position and a summary of the impact of your publications (number of lead works, citations, h-index, etc).

Additional comments

Applicants who are not citizens of a country belonging to the European Union are invited to apply for this position, however, if selected, will only be allowed to sign the contract with the UAM after obtaining the compulsory documentation required to live and work in Spain, for which a passport is required.

We are committed to increasing the number of women and other underrepresented groups in our workforce and therefore we encourage applications from such qualified individuals.

Applications to this offer must compulsory be registered through the online application system of UAM. Nevertheless, prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the PI (Violeta Gonzalez-Perez: violeta.gonzalez@uam.es) beforehand to discuss their suitability for the position, and to seek for assistance with the online application system.